tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821098719340852065.post2970352320620719868..comments2024-03-25T09:31:36.926+01:00Comments on Furahan Biology and Allied Matters: Future evolution from France: 'Demain, les animaux du futur' Review ISigmund Nastrazzurrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16449461215427527447noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821098719340852065.post-46532718002367482512016-06-10T14:13:48.099+02:002016-06-10T14:13:48.099+02:00Welcome Elizabeth. I see your point about how mamm...Welcome Elizabeth. I see your point about how mammals are generally better equipped than reptiles for cold environments, although it does not apply to all situations (amphibians might be better suited to the role of 'small animal at home on land and in cold water'). But mammals have been walking tall (punt intended) for most of the cenozoic, and most of that time was not characterised by ice ages as far as I know. <br /><br />Anyway, the 'Futur' book is short on mammals, but it did not say that there weren't any; they are just not discussed. But I agree that rodents seem likely to survive if birds do. Sigmund Nastrazzurrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16449461215427527447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821098719340852065.post-22359695776090547072016-06-08T21:54:26.183+02:002016-06-08T21:54:26.183+02:00Regarding the lack of large mammals;
Mammals are c...Regarding the lack of large mammals;<br />Mammals are creatures which thrive during earth's ice ages exclusively. When the ice ages end, we inevitably fall victim to species who can grow larger based on food/energy without needing generations to evolve. Even today, reptiles are a great example of this. Burmese pythons in Florida, suddenly given an abundant food source and no competition for food have not only been getting longer and heavier, but females carry more eggs with each egg reportedly up to twice the size of what was considered "normal" when the species first became invasive to the area. Atmosphere has the same effect on insects, because of their short life span. Any extra oxygen and insects can become massive in what is to us a relatively short period of time.<br /><br />Reality is, mammals have only been successful during a time of environmental famine. It's cold. Oxygen is relatively low. Humidity is locked in ice at the two poles. We have large amounts of solid rock and dry land. As a result, land mammals are tiny compared to previous creatures. The seas are the only place where we have matched the size of the dinosaurs, and it is an exception. We are small, active, social, visual, and yes, we live in herds. All of our advantages hinge on scarcity of resources. <br /><br />So, to end this overly long comment: rodents may survive the next extinction event, but until the earth sees another prolonged ice age mammals will not be large, or dominate the planet, sea, or sky. Sorry, but the evidence is pretty clear on this one.<br /><br />Great Blog!!! I am definitely following from now on!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12030711317246030231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821098719340852065.post-86723058824711322602015-12-13T23:17:40.486+01:002015-12-13T23:17:40.486+01:00facepalm! :Dfacepalm! :DPetrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06537642993606964893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821098719340852065.post-79187502173745991872015-12-13T22:00:51.620+01:002015-12-13T22:00:51.620+01:00Petr: I know, I know! Just read the lines above th...Petr: I know, I know! Just read the lines above the image... Sigmund Nastrazzurrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16449461215427527447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821098719340852065.post-51058158859736781882015-12-12T15:58:44.294+01:002015-12-12T15:58:44.294+01:00i know this is an older post, but did you notice t...i know this is an older post, but did you notice the "giraffornis vandijki" in one of the pictures you posted? Maybe a little homage found its way in the book? :DPetrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06537642993606964893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821098719340852065.post-60353245088476766612015-06-03T04:22:35.911+02:002015-06-03T04:22:35.911+02:00Great! I ordered this book. but can't read Fre...Great! I ordered this book. but can't read French...puyamasterhttp://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/puyamaster/39672481.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821098719340852065.post-59911652567903720942015-05-31T22:26:49.691+02:002015-05-31T22:26:49.691+02:00Sigmund: Thanks for correcting me. I'm surpri...Sigmund: Thanks for correcting me. I'm surprised that their aren't any mammals in the book aside from bats. You would think that at least rodents would have survived as well if you're assuming all other mammal groups are doomed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821098719340852065.post-31961918688480833642015-05-31T09:06:59.961+02:002015-05-31T09:06:59.961+02:00Anonymous: you mean the Brussels museum, not the B...Anonymous: you mean the Brussels museum, not the Berlin one. But the point is clear: the capybara descendant is not in the book, and I saw no mention of mammals. <br />Sigmund Nastrazzurrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16449461215427527447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821098719340852065.post-38414792980738902682015-05-31T00:32:34.616+02:002015-05-31T00:32:34.616+02:00I'm surprised the book has "no large mamm...I'm surprised the book has "no large mammals" when the Berlin museum included a large descendant of the capybara. Is that excluded in the book or is it still part of it? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com