Seeing the Changes 1251

Returning to the topic of seasonally early flowerings. Red valerian (Centranthus ruber) and Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) were in flower in Mumbles and Bynea, respectively.

The Sound of Silence

Another example of speedy evolution? It has been reported that crickets, on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, have lost the sound production structures carried on their wings that are normally used to generate the song to attract a mate (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/14/evolution-in-real-time-silent-crickets-still-singing-for-a-mate). These crickets still make the energetic movements that would normally result in courtship song but apparently benefit in the resulting silence by failing to attract  parasitic flies that would normally kill them. It is highly likely that the movements will rapidly disappear as well unless they signal mating vigour to females in the near vicinity.

Anty (Re) Natal

There is an interesting account of the treatment of wounded Matabele ants (Megaponera analis) from  the Ivory Coast by their nest-mates, after raids on termite mounds to feed on these insects (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/14/nursing-in-nature-matabele-ants-observed-treating-injured-comrades). It appears that only potentially viable, but wounded ants, produce odours ('pheromones') that elicit retrieval by their comrades and, once located, are capable of adopting a posture facilitating their being carried back to the nest. There, they are cleaned (and possibly treated with antibiotics?) enabling around 80% of them to recover to fight again. This simple system essentially mirrors triage and paramedic treatment as practised by our own species.

Birder's Bonus 178

Awful weather on Loughor estuary, so 100+ waders plus accompanying Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) retired to the neighbouring campsite.

Brainslip

After the speculation about the origins of Cheddar man, a nice topical look at what is currently known (or thought to be the case) about primate and human evolution has been made available (https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/feb/12/tracing-the-tangled-tracks-of-humankinds-evolutionary-journey). One of the more striking observations is that the average size of the modern human's brain has reduced by some 5-10% over the last 200,000 years. The brain is a greedy organ, consuming around 20% of our energy and 'domestication' (our domesticated animals have smaller brains than their wild progenitors) may mean that current humans can get by with smaller brains than our ancestors (who had more to worry about or to deal with?). Pretty obviously, babies with smaller heads are also less likely to lead to problems at parturition (so this factor could have direct selection value).

Seeing the Changes 1250

An chorus of Spring crocus (Crocus albiflorus) appeared in Loughor.

The Dangers of Environmental Activism?

Reports of the death of American Esmond Bradley Martin, a campaigner against elephant poaching, as a result of stabbing in his Nairobi home (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/05/leading-ivory-trade-investigator-killed-in-kenya) is, I am afraid, only the latest apparent example of the dangers of working in such areas. Many campaigners in many areas of the world have become targets when their activities have threatened the profits of overtly and covertly criminal groups.