Animals

[CaaC (John)+]

Quote

Snakes on a plain: dinosaur-killing asteroid impact led to a global explosion in serpent species

The devastating event was a form of ‘creative destruction’ that allowed snakes to diversify into new niches that were previously filled by competitors.

Every one of the 4,000 species of snakes living today can be traced back to a handful of plucky survivors that managed to live through the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs, a genetic analysis has found.

In a study by scientists at the Universities of Bath, Bristol, and Cambridge, researchers compared the genes found in fossils to those found in modern snakes.

They found that all living snakes can be traced back to just a handful of species that survived the mass extinction event 66 million years ago.

Snakes’ remarkable ability to survive may have been down to their long, slender bodies enabling them to shelter underground and their ability to go without food for extended periods of time, the researchers say.

Over time this would have allowed them to occupy evolutionary niches, habitats and even other continents that were left for the taking by their newly extinct competitors.

“The findings of the current study are quite remarkable in demonstrating that modern snakes originated from a small number of common ancestors following the mass extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous period. Until now, there has been very little concrete proof of this,” said University of Kent PhD candidate Steve Allain, who was not involved in the study.

“Modern snakes have a number of physiological adaptations that would allow them to take advantage of the new world they found them in, which were likely shared by their ancestors. The lack of many large predators would have allowed snakes to diversify, evolution equipping them with the tools needed to survive in new environments.”

 

As they explored new habitats and prey, new species of modern snake such as tree snakes, sea snakes, and gigantic constrictors like boas and pythons began to emerge.

“Our research suggests that extinction acted as a form of ‘creative destruction’ – by wiping out old species, it allowed survivors to exploit the gaps in the ecosystem, and experiment with new lifestyles and habitats,” said corresponding author Dr Nick Longrich, from the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath.

“This seems to be a general feature of evolution – it’s the periods immediately after major extinctions where we see evolution at its most wildly experimental and innovative.

“The destruction of biodiversity makes room for new things to emerge and colonise new landmasses. Ultimately life becomes even more diverse than before.”

The study also suggests that while the ancestors of modern snakes lived in the Southern Hemisphere, the extinction event led to them spreading across Asia and the Northern Hemisphere.

 

It’s thought that snakes lost their legs 100 to 150 million years ago, but debate is still raging as to whether their limbed ancestors were aquatic or terrestrial.

The evolution of a long, legless body could be beneficial to life underwater as it would enable eel-like swimming. But it could also be beneficial on land, making burrowing and hunting underground easier

https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/snakes-on-a-plain-dinosaur-killing-asteroid-impact-led-to-a-global-explosion-in-serpent-species/

 

 

[Tommy]

Fuck snakes. 

[nudge]

4 hours ago, Tommy said:

Fuck snakes. 

Snakes are beautiful and fascinating animals.

 

 

[Azeem]

Reptiles are like the awkward family members at a wedding. They have to be invited but kept afar at a separate table.

[Tommy]

1 hour ago, nudge said:

Snakes are beautiful and fascinating animals.

 

 

[nudge]

1 minute ago, Tommy said:

Where does your snake phobia come from?  

[Tommy]

5 minutes ago, nudge said:

Where does your snake phobia come from?  

I think Croatia. I was a kid and there were loads of snakes everywhere. Especially at the Krka Waterfalls. My mom had to carry me because I refused to walk. Also saw loads of them ran over on the road. Urgh. 

[MUFC]

2 hours ago, nudge said:

Snakes are beautiful and fascinating animals.

 

 

Do you watch snakes in the city?

[nudge]

Just now, MUFC said:

Do you watch snakes in the city?

Nope, had to google that, didn't know a show like that existed!

[MUFC]

18 minutes ago, nudge said:

Nope, had to google that, didn't know a show like that existed!

They work as pest control without killing the snake. So they'll remove the same from somebodies house or place of business. They then relocate the snake to it's natural habitat. They are snake lovers in general, it's great when they rescue a black mamba or spitting cobra. Some of their rescues are scary as the rescue can take place in a dark cave or closed off dark area. So if they stumble upon the snake they may get bitten. Check this videos, it's good. It's based in South Africa and comes on Sky on one of the documentary channels. If you type in snakes in the city in google, you get loads of full episodes.

 

[nudge]

9 minutes ago, MUFC said:

They work as pest control without killing the snake. So they'll remove the same from somebodies house or place of business. They then relocate the snake to it's natural habitat. They are snake lovers in general, it's great when they rescue a black mamba or spitting cobra. Some of their rescues are scary as the rescue can take place in a dark cave or closed off dark area. So if they stumble upon the snake they may get bitten. Check this videos, it's good. It's based in South Africa and comes on Sky on one of the documentary channels. If you type in snakes in the city in google, you get loads of full episodes.

 

This was intense  It's mad how they go in there without any protection; no gloves, no long sleeves or long trousers, etc... 

Thanks for sharing, will watch more for sure. In my last permanent place of residence, we used to get quite a few snakes come near or even into the house. A few venomous ones in the area as well, so it's good to stay informed and ready, just in case... Had to get four snakes out of the bedroom and balcony using the kitchen tongs once  One grownup and three juveniles; probably had a nest somewhere nearby. 

[MUFC]

18 minutes ago, nudge said:

This was intense  It's mad how they go in there without any protection; no gloves, no long sleeves or long trousers, etc... 

Thanks for sharing, will watch more for sure. In my last permanent place of residence, we used to get quite a few snakes come near or even into the house. A few venomous ones in the area as well, so it's good to stay informed and ready, just in case... Had to get four snakes out of the bedroom and balcony using the kitchen tongs once  One grownup and three juveniles; probably had a nest somewhere nearby. 

Way beyond intense at times. You have roaming snakes in Germany?

[nudge]

1 minute ago, MUFC said:

Way beyond intense at times. You have roaming snakes in Germany?

Southeast Asia:) I haven't been to Germany for over a decade, except airports.

[MUFC]

10 minutes ago, nudge said:

Southeast Asia:) I haven't been to Germany for over a decade, except airports.

No way. I thought you were living in Germany. You been away due to work? Don't you miss Germany?

[nudge]

Just now, MUFC said:

No way. I thought you were living in Germany. You been away due to work? Don't you miss Germany?

Nah, I'm only half German, born and raised elsewhere, just spent summers in Germany as a kid/young teen. Moved to SE Asia 7 years ago because I like it there... 

[Bluewolf]

2 hours ago, Tommy said:

I think Croatia. I was a kid and there were loads of snakes everywhere. Especially at the Krka Waterfalls. My mom had to carry me because I refused to walk. Also saw loads of them ran over on the road. Urgh. 

Snek - 9GAG 

[Tommy]

1 hour ago, MUFC said:

You have roaming snakes in Germany?

We do, yes. 

Also there's snakes escaping every now and then from morons who keep them as pets. 

[Tommy]

Just now, Bluewolf said:

Snek - 9GAG 

Oh fuck off. Nightmare fuel. 

[Bluewolf]

Just now, Tommy said:

Oh fuck off. Nightmare fuel. 

I didn't even notice it at first until she jumped up and ran off then I watched it again... one big mother fucker that is

[Tommy]

Can we please stop talking about or posting anything snake-ish?

[Bluewolf]

Just now, Tommy said:

Can we please stop talking about or posting anything snake-ish?

SssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssSorry.......... 

[Tommy]

Indiana Jones is a good man. 

[MUFC]

7 hours ago, Tommy said:

Can we please stop talking about or posting anything snake-ish?

No worries, we'll stop talking about the RB team.

[CaaC (John)+]

10 hours ago, Tommy said:

Can we please stop talking about or posting anything snake-ish?

Just for you, Puddin relaxing, yesterday. 

 

[CaaC (John)+]

Manta rays inspire new device to filter microplasticsClose

Wastewater treatment plants release microplastics into the environment, where they accumulate and pose a threat to wildlife. But by studying the way a manta ray feeds on plankton, scientists in the US have designed a filtration system that captures the tiny fragments without getting clogged.