New Zealand Tree Stuck In Evolutionary Time Warp 337
sciencehabit writes "A eucalyptus-like tree from New Zealand is still waging a battle that should have ended over 500 years ago. The tree continues to sport evolutionary adaptations, such as barbed leaves, to protect it from a large, flightless bird known as a moa. There's just one problem: the moa went extinct around 1500 AD."
Easily explainable. (Score:2, Funny)
In other related news... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Wrong comparison ? (Score:5, Funny)
Lets do the Time Warp (Score:5, Funny)
The tree is just keeping in step with it's environment.
In other news... (Score:5, Funny)
It was discovered today that newborn humans still grow teeth. Scientists are baffled because the human species developed the technology to build smoothie machines 3 generations ago.
Re:In other related news... (Score:4, Funny)
..why do men still have nipples. Film at 11.
It's 11 and here is the film [mtv.com]. Men have nipples so that they can take part in this test which has the potential to increase monetary winnings and thus the man's ability to afford to go out on a date and eventually reproduce. This continued pressure on the nipples hence keeps them around, and may in fact make them more durable in the long term.
Re:It is a common misconception about evolution (Score:5, Funny)
Re:In other related news... (Score:2, Funny)
(requires constant supply of ice cubes to be effective)
Re:It is a common misconception about evolution (Score:3, Funny)
Whay about efficiency? It like standardization. One god needs only one type of prayer one type of priest and only one myth. Think of the gains our theological monoculture will bring!!!
Re:It is a common misconception about evolution (Score:3, Funny)
Well now, lets look at something right there..
..and yet all hot blooded males are attracted to a woman with a husky voice! Its obviously designed that way so that women who have had thyroid surgery can still retain their sexual prowess.. Allu akhbar!
Re:It isn't instant. (Score:2, Funny)
We have the ability to genetically engineer a human today.
Sure we do: Eugenics! Why leave it to science to experiment, when you can do all the work as easy as selective breeding?
it gets worse (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Evolution is great. (mostly) (Score:5, Funny)
They didn't become extinct, they evolved to eat grass instead of trees.
Haven't you heard of a lawn moa?
Ha! Everyone missed it! (Score:1, Funny)
The tree isn't giving up it's spiny leaves because of us!
Clearly the Moa will be extinct for only a short while- until we revive the species.
So inconvenient to lose the spines, only to have to get them back a mere 500 years later.
Re:Easily explainable. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Easily explainable. (Score:5, Funny)
Look, as far as the tree is concerned, the defence is working - it hasn't been attacked by a moa for 500 years. Why would it change?
Re:Easily explainable. (Score:5, Funny)
How about your kids go first. Then they can all work for my kids.
Re:it gets worse (Score:3, Funny)
How flexible _are_ you?
Re:It is a common misconception about evolution (Score:3, Funny)
The Romans and Greeks had gods who were lecherous alcoholic serial rapists... they're perfect?
Did they ever get arrested for it? No? Then I'd say they were pretty darned good at it.
Re:Easily explainable. (Score:4, Funny)
Lisa, I'd like to buy your rock.
Re:It is a common misconception about evolution (Score:3, Funny)
You should take a look at my inbox one day.
Yours,
God.
P.S. Submit a patch if you want.