Lizards Evolving Rapidly to Survive Deadly Fire Ants

[n2doc]

John Roach
for National Geographic News
January 21, 2009

Long legs and skittish behavior are recently evolved traits that allow fence lizards in the southeastern U.S. to co-exist with lethal and invasive fire ants, according to a new study.

The new findings could boost hopes for species whose habitats are quickly changing due to climate change, experts say.

The venom-packed stings of just 12 fire ants can kill a three-inch-long (eight-centimeter-long) fence lizard in a minute, according to lead study author Tracy Langkilde, a biologist at Pennsylvania State University. The ants have been known to strip animals as large as calves down to the bone.

But some lizards twitch vigorously and flee the scene whenever ants attack, a defensive behavior that sheds the insects before they can pry up the reptiles' scales and sting the soft flesh underneath.

The findings, Langkilde said, are evidence of a rapid evolutionary response to the fire ants.

more:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/01/090121-lizard-ants-missions.html

[WriteDown]

1. This is unbelievable...

Thanks for posting this awesome story!

[Inkyfuzzbottom]

2. Not possible

since evolution isn't real. Must be god. :sarcasm:

[Liberal Veteran]

3. I for one welcome our new impervious reptile overlords.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Wow!

[ColbertWatcher]

5. More proof that the DaVinci Code is real!