7 Responses to “Ancient Amphibians Evolved A Bite Before Migrating To Dry Land”

1. Bradford Says:
   April 18th, 2007 at 3:21 pm

   From the linked article:

   Using this approach, Markey and Marshall found that in one key transitional species, the aquatic amphibian Acanthostega, the shapes of the junctions between adjacent skull bones are consistent with biting prey. This finding, the scientists say, suggests that the water-dwelling Acanthostega may have bitten on prey at or near the water's edge.

   If I'm not mistaken there are a number of species that employ the water's edge strategy. Insects seem to be a favorite target.

   BTW, where are the commenters who complain about a lack of science related posts and too much emphasis on culture wars? Why do posts like this not arouse a response from them?

Comment by Bradford — April 18, 2007 @ 3:21 pm

2. Jehu Says:
   April 18th, 2007 at 3:48 pm

   Who cares about whether some paleontologists have have found evidence that amphibians could bite?

   For a real science story, check out this article on an Aussie who lived 12 days underwater on oxygen from urine soaked allgae!

   http://physorg.com/news96093646.html

Comment by Jehu — April 18, 2007 @ 3:48 pm

3. Bradford Says:
   April 18th, 2007 at 4:16 pm

   Jehu: check out this article on an Aussie who lived 12 days underwater on oxygen from urine soaked allgae!

   http://physorg.com/news9609364...

   Godson admitted suffering mild cabin fever during his time in the underwater tank, which used a revolutionary Israeli-developed "Biocoil" system to generate oxygen from algae soaked with the 27-year-old's urine.

   This is more interesting than a conventional tiolet Jehu. Sounds like the rest stop of the future. A vegetarian meal followed by a trip to the algae room.

Comment by Bradford — April 18, 2007 @ 4:16 pm

4. owendw Says:
   April 18th, 2007 at 5:21 pm

   If I'm not mistaken there are a number of species that employ the water's edge strategy. Insects seem to be a favorite target.

   There was recently some program on television – one of those ubiquitous nature films – which at least had the redeeming virtue of showing dolphins feeding at some risk right at the water's edge. It was actually a stirring sight.

Comment by owendw — April 18, 2007 @ 5:21 pm

5. Mesk Says:
   April 18th, 2007 at 11:11 pm

   Bradford:
   BTW, where are the commenters who complain about a lack of science related posts and too much emphasis on culture wars? Why do posts like this not arouse a response from them?

   Because Mike's post is an observation, not an argument. If Mike used this observation to flesh out an actual argument for front-loading it would draw plenty of responses.

Comment by Mesk — April 18, 2007 @ 11:11 pm

6. bFast Says:
   April 18th, 2007 at 11:12 pm

   Bradford, "where are the commenters who complain about a lack of science related posts and too much emphasis on culture wars? Why do posts like this not arouse a response from them?"

   I haven't griped, I have just become quieter and quieter, but for this reason. However, I am failing to figure out what this report has to do with the ID.

Comment by bFast — April 18, 2007 @ 11:12 pm

7. MikeGene Says:
   April 18th, 2007 at 11:47 pm

   Hi bFast,

   However, I am failing to figure out what this report has to do with the ID.

   Actually, I don't think it has anything to do with ID (which is why it is not cross-tagged with Intelligent Design or Front-loading) – it was just news about evolution. See the previous posting about membranes, which is more suggestive (IMO) of ID.

Comment by MikeGene — April 18, 2007 @ 11:47 pm