4 ms·

Possibly a first evolutionary step to becoming an internal parasite.

justinclift 6y ago
Also, a way for the intestinal flora of frogs to be spread to other frogs. Which may be fairly unique in itself? That could have all kinds of other weird and wonderful follow on effects for the frog population.
- thaumasiotes 6y ago
  > Also, a way for the intestinal flora of frogs to be spread to other frogs. > Which may be fairly unique in itself? Considering the number of diseases that are spread, human to human, by oral consumption of feces - probably not.
  - akiselev 6y ago
    There are mammals like rabbits that eat their own feces to get a second pass at digestion. Evolution has created an unbelievable amount of diversity in the natural world - it's a mistake to judge it by our own immune systems.
    - buran77 6y ago
      GP may have been objecting to the uniqueness of the trait, not its existence.
      - justinclift 6y ago
        Nah, I'd just not been able to think off hand of an example of intestinal flora being shared (potentially widely) among members of a species. The rabbits example is a good one to illustrate it already does happen. :)
        thaumasiotes 6y ago
        Again, it is already known to be very common in humans.
        justinclift 6y ago
        You seem to be saying oral consumption of other people's faeces is common in humans. What's the evidence for this? Personally, I'm aware of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_feces#Fecal_transplants https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_feces#Fecal_transplants, but that's all.
        thaumasiotes 6y ago
        It is the only reproductive strategy of several major diseases, most notably cholera. So yes, obviously it is common. You know how cholera is notorious for spreading through communities very quickly? Guess how that happens. Intentional consumption of other people's feces is rare, but that's not relevant to anything. If you eat something, it doesn't matter at all whether you wanted to eat it.
        justinclift 6y ago
        Interesting, thanks. :)
sorokod 6y ago
Also possibly an evolutionary step for frogs to not pray on this particular beatle. Let the game commence.

Also, a way for the intestinal flora of frogs to be spread to other frogs. Which may be fairly unique in itself? That could have all kinds of other weird and wonderful follow on effects for the frog population.

thaumasiotes 6y ago
> Also, a way for the intestinal flora of frogs to be spread to other frogs. > Which may be fairly unique in itself? Considering the number of diseases that are spread, human to human, by oral consumption of feces - probably not.
- akiselev 6y ago
  There are mammals like rabbits that eat their own feces to get a second pass at digestion. Evolution has created an unbelievable amount of diversity in the natural world - it's a mistake to judge it by our own immune systems.
  - buran77 6y ago
    GP may have been objecting to the uniqueness of the trait, not its existence.
    - justinclift 6y ago
      Nah, I'd just not been able to think off hand of an example of intestinal flora being shared (potentially widely) among members of a species. The rabbits example is a good one to illustrate it already does happen. :)
      - thaumasiotes 6y ago
        Again, it is already known to be very common in humans.
        justinclift 6y ago
        You seem to be saying oral consumption of other people's faeces is common in humans. What's the evidence for this? Personally, I'm aware of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_feces#Fecal_transplants https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_feces#Fecal_transplants, but that's all.
        thaumasiotes 6y ago
        It is the only reproductive strategy of several major diseases, most notably cholera. So yes, obviously it is common. You know how cholera is notorious for spreading through communities very quickly? Guess how that happens. Intentional consumption of other people's feces is rare, but that's not relevant to anything. If you eat something, it doesn't matter at all whether you wanted to eat it.
        justinclift 6y ago
        Interesting, thanks. :)

sorokod 6y ago

Also possibly an evolutionary step for frogs to not pray on this particular beatle. Let the game commence.