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Ice Age Survivors In Iceland
Chicago IL (SPX) Jul 24, 2007 Many scientists believe that the ice ages exterminated all life on land and in freshwater in large parts of the Northern Hemisphere, especially on ocean islands such as Iceland. Scientists at Holar University College and the University of Iceland have challenged that belief, at least when looking at groundwater animals. They have discovered two species of groundwater amphipods in Iceland that are the only animals species found solely in Iceland. "These finding can only be explained by these animals surviving glaciations in some kind of refugium under the glaciers," says Bjarni K. Kristjansson, the scientist who found the species. In an article in the August issue of The American Naturalist, they put forward strong support for their theory. "Groundwater amphipods are poor at dispersal, and can not be transported with birds or humans," says Jorundur Svavarsson. One of these new species falls within a new family of amphipods, which indicates that the species has been a long time in Iceland. "The time since the end of the last glaciation is not enough for a family to evolve," says Svavarsson. Kristjansson and Svavarsson find it likely that the amphipod came to Iceland as early as 30-40 million years ago, when the volcanic island was being formed. "If our theory is right, we have discovered the oldest inhabitants of Iceland, and that can help us further understand how Iceland was formed," says Kristjansson Related Links University of Chicago Press Journals Darwin Today At TerraDaily.com
In An Evolutionary Arms Race A Bacterium Is Found That Outwits Tomato Plant's Defenses
Ithaca NY (SPX) Jul 19, 2007An arms race is under way in the plant world. It is an evolutionary battle in which plants are trying to beef up their defenses against the innovative strategies of pathogens. The latest example of this war is a bacterium (Pseudomonas syringae) that infects tomatoes by injecting a special protein into the plant's cells and undermines the plant's defense system. |
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