3 ms·
Further to this, isn't this the basis for evolution? Some selective pressure emerges that didn't previously exist, whether that be a predator; change in nutrie
by TheSpiceIsLife 8y ago
Further to this, isn't this the basis for evolution?
Some selective pressure emerges that didn't previously exist, whether that be a predator; change in nutrient availability; disease; climate; etc.
It's possible the loss of habitat in Tasmania has either slowed spread of the DFTD, because the Devils are more widely dispersed, or hastened the spread because there are fewer Devils reproducing to potentially adapt to it.
I find it interesting to ponder how it has come about that the Earth isn't just covered in, say, that pathogenic fungus¹ reported on recently, but rather something like 8.7 million species².
1. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19515362 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19515362
2. https://www.nature.com/news/2011/110823/full/news.2011.498.html https://www.nature.com/news/2011/110823/full/news.2011.498.h...
- dmix 8y agoThe answer to your question is probably the same: natural selection and the general competition between species (and pathogens).
- akiselev 8y ago> I find it interesting to ponder how it has come about that the Earth isn't just covered in, say, that pathogenic fungus¹ reported on recently, but rather something like 8.7 million species². Existing inside an organism with a functioning immune system long enough to cause death requires completely different adaptations than existing outside of one. By their very nature, most pathogens spend too much energy on biochemistry that does diddly squat (without an immune system to fight) to help them compete against the innumerable species of garden variety bacteria floating around.