At times, knowledge ain't too good

[greystrata]

this past weekend -- which Serge has accurately summarized as "power functions + two Marxist professors + flannel-wearing ecologists" -- the question was brought up of why ants haven't yet evolved a mechanism to come out and forage in the winter as well as they do during the spring and summer. the answer: they haven't yet been around long enough

Comments

[astra_itur]

Those are really pretty socks! And they're organic too! :D

Cool topic!

[nitix5]

Hey I'm late to respond to this but this topic is way too cool not to. I think in order for an evolution of a mechanistic process, there must be greater advantage for that particular mechanism over all others, brought on by environmental or climatic changes. Ants, and correct me if I'm wrong, are sufficient as they are in foraging food for the winter season so I don't see a need for them to come out in the harsh winter condition to look for food. It's not because they haven't been around long enough. But then again I could be wrong, how long have they been around? I kinda agree with the person who brought up the next ice age argument. But I have a few theories on how life or majority of species on Earth would be wiped out, mainly focusing on the burst of some supernova sending massive gamma rays our way or some asteroid the size of the US come crashing down on Earth or if you'd like a series of huge sun spots wiping out our atmosphere. You should check out the History Channel series "The Universe", it's pretty awesome!