RE: Man Vs Nature: Humans Meet Their Match in the Great Emu War

[eniolw]

Very informative post. Poor Emus.

By the way, Gondwana is that ancient, but its breakup started about 180 million years ago and birds probably appeared after that. This is just in case an unsuspecting reader thinks birds date back 420 million years. 😄

Comments

[agmoore]

Thanks for stopping by and for the comment 😇

The picture of Gondwana is from 420 million years ago (or that's what they think, anyway). However, most sites I consulted say something like this:

Scientists had assumed that all ratites had a common, flightless ancestor on supercontinent Gondwana. When Gondwana broke apart, each of today’s ratites evolved on their separate landmasses. This theory would mean that the kiwi and the moa, both from New Zealand, were closely related.
That was the assumption, anyways. But when research showed the New Zealand moa was most closely related to the flying, South American tinamou, the ratite family tree collapsed. The new family history goes something like this: today’s ratites had several different, flying ancestors. These ancestors made their way to various landmasses after Gondwana broke up. Then, over and over again, evolution produced different flightless species.

I didn't intend to give a chronology for when birds, or flightless birds evolved. I didn't look that up (I look everything up because I am an interested reader, and reporter🙂) but not a scientist. The point I was making, was not when they evolved, but how they evolved. And even at that, aren't we just making educated guesses? Looking at evidence and drawing conclusions? As someone who is not expert, I rarely assert a scientific bit of information without sourcing it. That's not just because I am trying to be responsible about what I write. It's also because then I can point to the authority and leave myself blameless😄

I really appreciate the comment and the care with which you read the piece. It was fun writing this. I try not to write blogs unless the subject interests me and I'm having fun. Life is too short to be bored and unhappy.

[eniolw]

Sure, it's just a small clarification.

[agmoore]

Well, just to be clear, as you say, I added a little note under the picture of Gondwana. I credited you with the clarification. Why not be clear :))

Thanks for the note.