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Swallows Seem To Be Evolving to Avoid Cars

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Swallows Seem To Be Evolving to Avoid Cars
pocaracas Offline
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#1
Swallows Seem To Be Evolving to Avoid Cars
March 19, 2013 at 11:24 am
Quote:Swallows that nest on roadsides appear to have evolved shorter wings to help them maneuver better and avoid cars, claim a team of scientists from the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma.
[...]
The results, published in Current Biology, show that the wings of vehicle-killed birds have lengthened over time, while those which died accidentally in nets—and are representative of the entire population—developed shorter wings over time.
in
http://gizmodo.com/5991279/swallows-seem...t=58389216
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The Grand Nudger Offline
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#2
RE: Swallows Seem To Be Evolving to Avoid Cars
March 19, 2013 at 11:55 am
So one group aims for greater lift, the other for a smaller target capture opportunity.
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downbeatplumb Offline
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#3
RE: Swallows Seem To Be Evolving to Avoid Cars
March 19, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Swallows get depressed about having longer wings as they don't pull the chicks.



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Aractus Away Donators
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#4
RE: Swallows Seem To Be Evolving to Avoid Cars
March 22, 2013 at 8:03 am
That's not evolution FYI.
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KichigaiNeko Away
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#5
RE: Swallows Seem To Be Evolving to Avoid Cars
March 22, 2013 at 8:08 am
I have observed many a avian individual behaving as though they have adapted to us humans in/on vehicles.

Mind you ....parrot species here in Oz are really really stupid
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popeyespappy Offline Donators
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#6
RE: Swallows Seem To Be Evolving to Avoid Cars
March 22, 2013 at 8:43 am
(March 22, 2013 at 8:03 am)Aractus Wrote: That's not evolution FYI.

How is what is happening not evolution? This population of birds is adapting to their changing environment. Change in frequency of alleles within a population over time is the definition of evolution.
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Napoléon Offline
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#7
RE: Swallows Seem To Be Evolving to Avoid Cars
March 22, 2013 at 8:46 am
(March 22, 2013 at 8:03 am)Aractus Wrote: That's not evolution FYI.

Care to explain why not?
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thesummerqueen Offline
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#8
RE: Swallows Seem To Be Evolving to Avoid Cars
March 22, 2013 at 9:59 am
Damn we didn't even make it past Page 1 before a comment like that was made...
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LastPoet Offline
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#9
RE: Swallows Seem To Be Evolving to Avoid Cars
March 22, 2013 at 10:23 am
It is too much for Aractus to swallow Big Grin
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FallentoReason Offline
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#10
RE: Swallows Seem To Be Evolving to Avoid Cars
March 22, 2013 at 10:24 am
I think what he means is that it's an example of natural selection.
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Atheist Forums › Science › Life Sciences v
Swallows Seem To Be Evolving to Avoid Cars

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