2 dead bugs

3/7/2012 11:19:24 AM

I don't think inbreeding would pose much of a problem for insects.

Keeping this one species alive just for the sake of returning it to its original habitat will not have much effect on the world. The real value in keeping them alive is studying how the might have gotten so large, examining their mating behaviors (quite uninsect-like), and their life in general. Such a rare and exotic species can provide a lot of insight into how evolution takes place and can help human beings fill in missing links of evolution we don't currently understand.

3/7/2012 11:43:01 AM

Quote :

"They were quite common in Australia until the early 1900's when rats infested Australia and ate them all"

How did the rats get into Australia? If they were introduced by humans, then don't we kind of have an obligation to try to save these bugs?

3/7/2012 11:45:17 AM

^^inbreeding is a big problem for insects. How could you argue that to be successful, the best thing they could do is protect their current habitat (maybe increase their food supply) and then let them continue to breed on their own.

honestly they are just doing this for the zoo's publicity and selfish gains to be the person who 'brought a once thought extinct species'.

but this is nothing new to biology.

[Edited on March 7, 2012 at 12:51 PM. Reason : .]

3/7/2012 12:43:34 PM

i should probably pay attention to this topic...

HAY KLATY

3/7/2012 12:49:46 PM

hey hey, betty, thoughts on bug inbreeding?


p. fucking s. aren't you supposed to be preparing for vegas? get back to work

3/7/2012 12:52:47 PM

they've been isolated on that island for a long time, it seems. they're already inbred

3/7/2012 12:54:44 PM

^yea, exactly .... they are already gone, there is no 'resurrection' of this species as it was before. However, depending on their relations, you can start a decent colony with 20 members, however if these 20 left are already related, then that doesn't matter anyway.


they need to leave them alone.

3/7/2012 12:57:18 PM

ive seen a similar insect to this being showcased on tv when i was young

im not saying its the exact same species but im pretty sure this isnt that big of a deal there is already a similar, well-known insect of this type be it through relation or convergent evolution

3/7/2012 1:01:59 PM

yes, there are a lot of other stick insects, this one is particularly interesting because of it's size and because it may be an evolutionary link to more prehistoric arthropods.

but at this low population and little biological info, humans need to back off.

3/7/2012 1:05:52 PM

i agree

its sad but unfortunately research is about sacrifice and its more important to get your name in the taxa than preserving the population as it has operated

3/7/2012 1:09:52 PM