Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Giant insects might reign if only there was more oxygen in the air

From Eurekalert: "The Paleozoic period, about 300 million years ago, was a time of huge and abundant plant life and rather large insects -- dragonflies had two-and-a-half-foot wing spans, for example. The air's oxygen content was 35% during this period, compared to the 21% we breathe now, Kaiser said. Researchers have speculated that the higher oxygen concentration allowed insects to grow much bigger."

Wow! 35% oxygen? Imagine the lift to your step! Imagine the forest fires!

Guess it's not atomic radiation after all. Link

Update 10/25 9:08 am: Just heard them cover this on NPR's "Living On Earth."

3 comments:

Steven Gould said...

I practice Aikido here in Albuquerque at an altitude of 5000 feet. This really gives me an advantage when I go to a seminar at a dojo that is at sea level. I've got a lot more red blood cells transporting oxygen than the guys I'm working with.

Look out, guys, Giant Bug, coming through!

Morgan J Locke said...

Are you trying to tell us that you're transgenic, Steve?

Steven Gould said...

Just Photogenic.