Kate's New and Hot (Week 4)...and bio review

Really, really, REALLY old fossils!

Hey all...

Last week CNN published a news article about two 385-million-year-old tree fossils (one from a trunk, and another from the crown of a tree), which scientists have determined are about 23 million years older than what was previously thought to be the earth's oldest tree (Archaeopteris). Click here for the article.

The tree has been named Wattieza and resembled a 30-foot palm. They think that these early trees flourished in forests, absorbing huge amounts of carbon dioxide and cooling the earth, right before the appearance of the first vertabrates on land.

One of the scientists working on the study, Christopher Berry, said "This is a spectacular find which has allowed us to recreate these early forest ecosystems." Yay trees :)

On a somewhat related note, you can find my review of Richard Darwin Keyne's Darwin bio Fossils, Finches and Fuegians here. Great book...

Cheers...and see you in class Wednesday, when I'll be telling you all about the Fuegians,
Kate

Darwin's cane toads

WOW!
So far I am very impressed with the postings
Here is a fun little item I came across on cane toads:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17809210/
Not only is the story about the interrelationship of organisms - disturbed, but it rather convincingly disputes any notion that organisms that evolve in any niche are going to be the best suited for reproductive success in that niche.
It is also cool because these creatures are so bizarre.
Simpson's aficionados will recognize them as key players in the Australia episode.
Check out the little one on top of the big one.
But my favorite part is that they are taking over Darwin, Australia.
Coincidence???