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... Science Frontiers ONLINE No. 39: May-Jun 1985 Issue Contents Other pages Home Page Science Frontiers Online All Issues This Issue Sourcebook Project Sourcebook Subjects Upside-down animals Stephen Jay Gould's recent essay, "The Flamingo's Smile," like all his writing, is thought-provoking. The essay goes far beyond the happy flamingo. It is about unusual adaptations in nature, as illustrated by three inverted or partially inverted creatures. The flamingo is a filter-feeder that strains food out of the water with its bill while its head is upside-down. The flaming's bill and tongue are (and must be ) radically different from those of other birds to succeed in this strange behavior. One type of jellyfish, rather than swimming around with its pulsating bell on top, plunks itself upside-down on the bottom and uses its bell as a suction cup to anchor itself. It then shoots poisonous darts attached to strings of mucous at passing targets and reels them in. Some African catfish graze on algae on the undersides of water plants. They swim upside down all the time and display a reversed color scheme, being black on the bottom and light on top. Gould employs these three examples to argue that changes in animal behavior must have preceded the many changes in form, function, color, etc. that make upside down living profitable. In other words, the proto-flamingos tried feeding with their heads upside down; and it didn't work too well. But "nature" responded with a series of random biological changes ...
Terms matched: 1 - Score: 164 - 15 May 2017 - URL: /sf039/sf039p08.htm
... Science Frontiers ONLINE No. 78: Nov-Dec 1991 Issue Contents Other pages Home Page Science Frontiers Online All Issues This Issue Sourcebook Project Sourcebook Subjects Why do flamingos stand on one leg?This profound question elicited a wide range of replies from readers of New Scientist, some of which are worth recording here. W. Smith supposed that because the flamingo has exceptionally long, thin legs that it was difficult for its heart to return blood from its feet. Therefore, by standing on one leg and occasionally switching, the flamingo prevents blood from collecting in its feet. L.J . Los replied with reference to a phenomenon of which we were unaware: "Farm animals are well known for letting sleep be linked to half of their brain at a time. In this way they can maintain a measure of alertness -- even while looking fast asleep. "Flamingos roost upon one of their legs while the other half of their body is in the sleep stage. When the other half of their brain and body earns a rest, they change legs. A leg that is in the sleep stage would not support the bird as a whole." But P. Hardy had the best answer: "Why do flamingos stand on one leg? So ducks only bump into them half the time." (Various authors; "Flamingo File," New Scientist, p. 52, August 17, 1991.) From Science Frontiers #78, NOV-DEC 1991 . 1991-2000 William R. Corliss ...
Terms matched: 1 - Score: 141 - 15 May 2017 - URL: /sf078/sf078b09.htm
... Science Frontiers ONLINE No. 78: Nov-Dec 1991 Other pages Home Page Science Frontiers Online All Issues Last Issue Next Issue Sourcebook Project Sourcebook Subjects Contents Archaeology CURIOUS SILVER CROSSES FROM A GEORGIA MOUND Who was manufacturing what? Marcahuasi: a mystery in stone Astronomy METEOROID IMPACTS: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY Terraforming mars Biology Fossil identity still up in the air Kamikaze sperm More light, more fight Why do flamingos stand on one leg? Geology HEAVY BOMBARDMENT OF SOUTHEAST ASIA 700,000 YEARS AGO TUNGUSKA-LIKE EVENT IN NEW ZEALAND 800 YEARS AGO? Degruyerizing switzerland Geophysics RADAR INTERFERENCE AND LUMINESCENCE LUNAR RAINBOW AND UNEXPLAINED WHITE ARC CROP CIRCLES: HOAXES OR NATURAL PHENOMENA? Psychology Psychokinetic control of dice ...
Terms matched: 1 - Score: 15 - 15 May 2017 - URL: /sf078/index.htm
