My biology class this quarter is all evolutionary deliciousness. I went gibbery this morning when I found out about Ken Dial's ontogenetic transitional wing hypothesis. It suggests that wings evolved because, hey, half a wing is still useful even outside of flight. Stoneflies use wings to powerski across water, and some young birds can use their wings to run up 60-degree inclines before they can fly: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v451/n7181/extref/nature06517-s2.mov
I find this stuff so cool, but not everyone agrees. :C
(Icon is the inappropriate, but it's the only Darwin icon I have. This must change. Gradually. Over time.)
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2010-02-13 05:26 am (UTC)I find this stuff so cool, but not everyone agrees. :C
(Icon is the inappropriate, but it's the only Darwin icon I have. This must change. Gradually. Over time.)