Posted on 02/27/2019 9:41:09 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
VICTORIA - Crabs that have a normal diet of a type of plankton have been seen munching on methane-filled bacteria off B.C.’s coast in what experts say could be their way of adapting to climate change.
Researchers with Oceans Networks Canada and Oregon State University discovered the snow crabs using other food sources because their main meal may be disappearing with a warmer climate.
The crabs were previously thought to exclusively eat phytoplankton but researchers said in a study published this month in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science that there is first evidence that the commercial species is finding some of its nutrition from other food sources.
Senior scientist at Oceans Networks Canada, an initiative of the University of Victoria, and the study’s co-author, Fabio De Leo, said by collecting these specimens researchers can learn how a variety of sea-dwelling species are adapting to ongoing changes linked to climate change.
“It was really funny when we first saw this,” he said. “The crab had accumulation of methane under its body and was sifting through the mud trying to collect the bubbles and they got trapped under its (shell) and then it got a lift off from the sediment.”
Climate change models show that as the oceans get warmer there will be less of that food for the crabs.
“The crab might be eating more of the methane-filled bacteria and less of the phytoplankton,” De Leo said.
De Leo said there’s a food-chain connection and it means humans are benefiting from the methane fossil fuel.
“It’s bubbling out of the sea floor and the crabs are using that and humans are using the crabs as a source of protein.”
(Excerpt) Read more at vancouversun.com ...
What are cow’s doing farting under the sea floor?
Any liberal theory is probable with liberals.
and I wonder if they’re making petroleum goo in the process
How's about they have always eaten methane-producing bacteria and the so-called scientist are just now observing that fact?
Geesh.
Does this mean everyone needs to get crabs to save the earth?
Well, obviously they are coming from sea cows.
Food source may be dwindling...
Crabs may be adapting...
Very scientific.
Wakka wakka wakka!
Attach a crab or two to each cow’s butt ...
The flora and fauna “adapting”. But, but, but, we have been told that “climate change” is eventually going to DESTROY all life!!!!
Yes, the flora and fauna WILL adapt.
It’s about time humans got themselves out of the Left’s agenda of chasing CO2 and focused on adapting as well. We really have more knowledge and means of adapting to climate change than humans have ever had. It’s time we got busy doing it.
No wonder there is methane
What an idiotic, anti-scientific claim by alleged scientists. Nothin' looks better to a Darwinist than Lamarckism. It'll be interesting to see how long these crabs can do this without injury or death. If it continues to work, their methane tolerance is a preexisting condition, not a new and novel adaptation. Thanks Oldeconomybuyer.
Eat here and get crabs AND Gas!..................
They don't understand what science is. You can start with wild ass guesses if you like, but you don't publish wild ass guesses and call it settled science.
Well said.
We never hear these enviro activists talk about, adapting to “climate change”.
I’ve always thought that, if for sake of argument, we accept that climate change is happening, that we will adapt.
This is a key reason why Ocasio-Cortez is full of it, to say we have 12 years before we all perish due to global warming.
She ignores that we will make changes to adapt to changes, if they do happen.
Their premise is that we humans are helpless and will all be destroyed due to the predicted changes.
Perhaps this is a crude example, but there have been many ice ages in Earth’s history. And prehistoric man adapted and survived the climatic changes in those time. Certainly we are more advanced and able to adapt than Cro Magnon Man or Neanderthals were to changes they may have encountered.
Or does Ocasio-Cortez think we are still on the level of Cro Magnon man?
They could do this all along but evidently “scientists” did not notice it until it became a useful propaganda.
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