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Wingless Gliders May Reveal the Origins of Insect Flight
The New York Times ^
| April 4, 2006
| ELIZABETH SVOBODA
Posted on 04/04/2006 11:59:23 AM PDT by Sopater
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Dr. Dudley and Yanoviak are most enthusiastic about tracking down the missing evolutionary link between flightless and flying insects.
Ants previously had wings and lost them, making them less than ideal to demonstrate this link...
"This could be how the first flight began—insects just jumped off branches and started gliding,"
I sure don't see how this has anything to do with the origin of insect flight assuming that they are alluding to the development of insect wings.
PETA ALERT!!! (People for the Ethical Treatment of Ants)
"Out of boredom, I started flicking some ants off of a tree,"
they started chopping off appendages to see if the insects could still soar
1
posted on
04/04/2006 11:59:25 AM PDT
by
Sopater
To: Sopater
it's THEM
Can pigs us the same technique to fly?
Only one way to find out.
Pig tossing contest tonight at the big tree.
To: Waverunner
Pig tossing contest tonight at the big tree.Ham bam thank you, ma'am.
3
posted on
04/04/2006 12:05:36 PM PDT
by
Jeff Chandler
(Peace Begins in the Womb)
To: Sopater
There is a fallacy in the theory. The phenomenon is the thought that aerodynamics is involved. It is not.
The swerving to the tree trunk is purely mental. The ants will themselves toward the tree.
remember the rubber tree plant.
4
posted on
04/04/2006 12:06:50 PM PDT
by
bert
(K.E. N.P. Slay Pinch)
To: bert
To: bert
Look for the thrilling Wire-Fu sequel, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Ant Farm...
To: Jeff Chandler
Your movies are great -
I have "Away All Boats" as part of my 16mm film collection
I also have "THEM"
nothing like an outdoor movie party, except maybe a pig toss.
Where we experiment to learn the laws of hamodynamics.
After all evolution means that a more evolved being should survive better. and while a pig has no more letters than an ant, it hasn't prevented them from becoming politicians.
To: Sopater
"I thought it was the most exciting thing I'd ever heard," Dr. Dudley said"
And I thought I had a boring life!
8
posted on
04/04/2006 12:15:13 PM PDT
by
mlc9852
To: Sopater
Wingless Gliders May Reveal the Origins of Insect FlightIf wingless gliders can fly, why would they need wings? This stuff passes for science?
9
posted on
04/04/2006 12:16:59 PM PDT
by
My2Cents
To: My2Cents
Perhaps a dictionary would help you distinguish gliding from flying.
10
posted on
04/04/2006 12:18:10 PM PDT
by
js1138
(~()):~)>)
To: Waverunner
11
posted on
04/04/2006 12:19:30 PM PDT
by
null and void
(We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit. - Aristotle)
To: Sopater
One problem with this theory. Ants have wings during mating season. Therefore I would expect them to instintively know how to twist and turn in the air - even the wingless worker ants.
12
posted on
04/04/2006 12:20:41 PM PDT
by
KarlInOhio
(If you have a leaking pipe, you shut off the water valve before deciding on amnesty for the puddles.)
To: Sopater
Entomologists are a peculiar bunch. Another entomologist once did an experiment on cockroaches, aimed at determining whether they were capable of actual "learning". Put them on a special strip which could deliver an electric shock to their front legs only. Did a few rounds of sending a warning vibration followed quickly by a shock. The shocks caused the roaches to raise their front legs off the strip. Soon the the roaches "learned" to raise their front legs when they felt the vibration, and avoid the shock. Then the entomologist had an idea: decapitate them and see if they still do this. Yup, the row of headless roaches heeded the warning vibrations and raised their front legs. I worry a little about people who understand the minds of cockroaches this well.
To: null and void
THEM: Greatest giant irradiated mutant insect film ever made. Seriously.
To: Sopater
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."
}:-)4
15
posted on
04/04/2006 12:33:20 PM PDT
by
Moose4
("I will shoulder my musket and brandish my sword/In defense of this land and the word of the Lord")
To: Rembrandt_fan
16
posted on
04/04/2006 12:36:04 PM PDT
by
null and void
(We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit. - Aristotle)
To: Rembrandt_fan
Saw it in a theater when I was eight years old. Except for the parts I saw from the lobby.
17
posted on
04/04/2006 12:38:01 PM PDT
by
js1138
(~()):~)>)
To: null and void
Them is a classic movie, and the only commercial film ever to depict the XB-35 "Flying Wing" US bomber. It was used in that film towards the end, and is the reason I own a copy.
18
posted on
04/04/2006 12:38:09 PM PDT
by
MineralMan
(godless atheist)
To: Moose4
Classic...
19
posted on
04/04/2006 12:39:12 PM PDT
by
Sopater
(Creatio Ex Nihilo)
To: MineralMan
Ummmm, wasn't that the 1953 version of War of the Worlds?
20
posted on
04/04/2006 12:43:31 PM PDT
by
null and void
(We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit. - Aristotle)
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