Butterfly shows evolution at work - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Allegra · 13th July 2007, 10:18 AM

(I know why you guys don't watch TV news, you have me and J.D. and Talysia and mosaix...dutifully posting the reports for your interests and amusement.

)

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Butterfly shows evolution at work:

Scientists say they have seen one of the fastest evolutionary changes ever observed in a species of butterfly.

The tropical blue moon butterfly has developed a way of fighting back against parasitic bacteria.
Six years ago, males accounted for just 1% of the blue moon population on two islands in the South Pacific.
But by last year, the butterflies had evolved a gene to keep the bacteria in check and male numbers were up to about 40% of the population.
Scientists believe the comeback is due to "suppressor" genes that control the Wolbachia bacteria that is passed down from the mother and kills the male embryos before they hatch. "To my knowledge, this is the fastest evolutionary change that has ever been observed," said Sylvain Charlat, of University College London, UK, whose study appears in the journal Science.
......
"We're witnessing an evolutionary arms race between the parasite and the host. This strengthens the view that parasites can be major drivers in evolution," Mr Charlat said.

The Ace · 13th July 2007, 12:17 PM

Fascinating, with more males surviving the species has actually fought back against its own extinction.

Joel007 · 13th July 2007, 01:46 PM

Ah, Darwinian theory, that reminds me of something I saw... where did I put it... aha!

Briareus Delta · 13th July 2007, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allegra

(I know why you guys don't watch TV news, you have me and J.D. and Talysia and mosaix...dutifully posting the reports for your interests and amusement.

)

Sad but actually very true, at least in my case!!

What an amazing comeback by this species. I wonder if we'll be able to adapt as quickly when our time comes?

HoopyFrood · 13th July 2007, 04:22 PM

I browse the BBC website, see interesting articles and think "Ooh, that might be worth posting on the Chron...!" *Log ons* "Oh...it's already here"...

I have to get my news from the BBC site anyway (or here

), I can't remember the last time I watched the tv...

Woo, evolution for the win! (as the saying goes) It's so interesting when changes happen this quickly and we can actually witness them. Cool.

Talysia · 13th July 2007, 05:08 PM

Nature continues to surprise me, and great to see a good news story like this.

13th July 2007, 10:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
Allegra Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,263	Butterfly shows evolution at work (I know why you guys don't watch TV news, you have me and J.D. and Talysia and mosaix...dutifully posting the reports for your interests and amusement.) BBC NEWS \| Science/Nature \| Butterfly shows evolution at work: Scientists say they have seen one of the fastest evolutionary changes ever observed in a species of butterfly. The tropical blue moon butterfly has developed a way of fighting back against parasitic bacteria. Six years ago, males accounted for just 1% of the blue moon population on two islands in the South Pacific. But by last year, the butterflies had evolved a gene to keep the bacteria in check and male numbers were up to about 40% of the population. Scientists believe the comeback is due to "suppressor" genes that control the Wolbachia bacteria that is passed down from the mother and kills the male embryos before they hatch. "To my knowledge, this is the fastest evolutionary change that has ever been observed," said Sylvain Charlat, of University College London, UK, whose study appears in the journal Science. ...... "We're witnessing an evolutionary arms race between the parasite and the host. This strengthens the view that parasites can be major drivers in evolution," Mr Charlat said.

13th July 2007, 12:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
The Ace Scottish Roman Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Perth and Kinross Posts: 2,325	Re: Butterfly shows evolution at work Fascinating, with more males surviving the species has actually fought back against its own extinction.

13th July 2007, 01:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
Joel007 Shiny! Let's be bad guys. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northamptonshire Posts: 1,747	Re: Butterfly shows evolution at work Ah, Darwinian theory, that reminds me of something I saw... where did I put it... aha!

13th July 2007, 04:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
HoopyFrood The rest is silence Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2,661	Re: Butterfly shows evolution at work I browse the BBC website, see interesting articles and think "Ooh, that might be worth posting on the Chron...!" Log ons "Oh...it's already here"... I have to get my news from the BBC site anyway (or here ), I can't remember the last time I watched the tv... Woo, evolution for the win! (as the saying goes) It's so interesting when changes happen this quickly and we can actually witness them. Cool.

13th July 2007, 05:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
Talysia Lady of Autumn Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 3,377	Re: Butterfly shows evolution at work Nature continues to surprise me, and great to see a good news story like this.

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