Ice Age Survivors Found In Iceland

Science Daily ^ | 7-20-2007 | University Of Chicago

[blam]

Source: University of Chicago
Date: July 20, 2007

Ice Age Survivors Found In Iceland

Science Daily — Many scientists believe that the ice ages exterminated all life on land and in freshwater in large parts of the Northern Hemisphere, especially on ocean islands such as Iceland.

Crymostygius thingvallensis, the only species in a recently described family of groundwater amphipods Crymostygidae. (Credit: photograph by Thorkell Heidarsson)

Scientists at Holar University College and the University of Iceland have challenged that belief, at least when looking at groundwater animals. They have discovered two species of groundwater amphipods in Iceland that are the only animals species found solely in Iceland.

"These finding can only be explained by these animals surviving glaciations in some kind of refugium under the glaciers," says Bjarni K. Kristjánsson, the scientist who found the species.

In an article in the August issue of The American Naturalist, they put forward strong support for their theory. "Groundwater amphipods are poor at dispersal, and can not be transported with birds or humans," says Jörundur Svavarsson.

One of these new species falls within a new family of amphipods, which indicates that the species has been a long time in Iceland. "The time since the end of the last glaciation is not enough for a family to evolve," says Svavarsson. Kristjansson and Svavarsson find it likely that the amphipod came to Iceland as early as 30-40 million years ago, when the volcanic island was being formed. "If our theory is right, we have discovered the oldest inhabitants of Iceland, and that can help us further understand how Iceland was formed," says Kristjansson.

Reference: Bjarni K. Kristjánsson and Jörundur Svavarsson, "Subglacial refugia in Iceland enabled groundwater amphipods to survive glaciations" The American Naturalist (2007) volume 170:292--296 DOI: 10.1086/518951

[Old Professer]

Shoot, I was hoping for some interviews.

[dc27]

Encino Man

[dfwgator]

[Decombobulator]

This is nothing, the title made it sound like they found people.

[brytlea]

Really, I was all excited thinking we could ask them about climate change since they would have some real insight!
susie

[Clara Lou]

Thank you for posting these interesting items so faithfully! You find such interesting things. I rarely post, but I always read your threads.

[editor-surveyor]

"Kristjansson and Svavarsson find it likely that the amphipod came to Iceland as early as 30-40 million years ago, when the volcanic island was being formed."

The death of logic...

[trisham]

LOL! I love those movies. :)

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Iceland has lots of geothermal energy--it is located right on top of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

It could be that one or more lakes remained unfrozen during the Ice Age (or the last Ice Age for Macroevolutionists).

[trisham]

Thank you for posting these interesting items so faithfully! You find such interesting things. I rarely post, but I always read your threads.

***********

I second that!

[RightWhale]

We are all Ice Age survivors.

[Kevmo]

I third that.

[ml/nj]

They must be really old by now.

ML/NJ

[pcottraux]

I knew if we just didn't give up searching through the wreckage...

[Chipper]

I’m pretty sure I’ve survived an Ice Age. At least I was told in 4th grade (late 70’s) that there would be another Ice Age by 2000. Still here.

[mamelukesabre]

Um, wait a sec. Aren’t the people of iceland actually survivors of the (little) ice age?

[airborne]

I wonder if they taste good.

[Grizzled Bear]

Can they be breaded and deep fried?

[LiteKeeper]

find it likely

Evolutionists are fond of telling stories as if they were factual!