Tuatara

[guppiecat]

I've shared this some local friends and associates, now it's your turn.

Earlier this week, I was reading my most recent toothbrush book (Vanishing Species the Time Life Book... not important enough for a review). I got to the part about the tuatara. Now, I was already aware of this little critter from New Zealand. I knew that its genus was around at the time of the dinosaurs, that it was the only surviving species, and that it looked like a lizard. As I brushed, I briefly glanced across the page and read the following:

"Very little is known about the intervening history of these enduring creatures. As a matter of fact, there are no known fossils from any part of the Tertiary period - from 2 million to 70 million years ago. In modern times, their world shrank gradually to the confines of the New Zealand archipelago and finally to some 20 remote islets off the coast of New Zealand's two main islands. Over that long time span, tuataras acquired odd physical attributes, including a third eye that remains in vestigial form at the top of the head."

I stopped brushing and read that part again.

"including a third eye that remains in vestigial form at the top of the head."

I had read it right. There's a creature out there with three eyes.

Three FREAKING eyes!

How had I not known this before? I hit the net to research it further.

It turns out that the tuatara can focus both main eyes independently and has two retinas in each eye (one for normal use and one for Sunday best! (ok, night and day, but my way is better)). Oh, and the evidence is that the third eye devolved from a real eye. It has its own lens, cornea, and retina. Oh, and apparently this was somewhat common during the age of the dinosaurs.

Why the heck don't the pictures in the dinosaur books include three-eyed reptiles? That would enhance the coolness of the time period so much!

And more importantly, how could I have gone on this long without knowing this? It completely changes my world (OK, maybe just a little bit, but it's still pretty damn cool). I've asked around, and no one around here knew about it either. It's the best-kept secret of natural pre-history. Well, the best kept one that I've found out anyway.

More information is here, here and here.

Misunderstandings about the nature of evolution can be found here and here

Comments

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

It was the best kept secret of natural pre-history, but now everyone's going to know about it.

I have tooth-brushing books too. Sadly, I can't hold a book and floss at the same time. This interrupts the flow of my reading.

K.

[guppiecat]

I use Denteks when I floss, so it works one-handed. I have some tight teeth.

I also use large books with short chapters or tidbits of information. Natural history books are great for that. (So are fables and collections of native stories). That way, they stay open on the counter while I do whatever I need to do.

[kalmn.livejournal.com]

this post is sadly lacking in third eye pictures.

[guppiecat]

I couldn't find any either. Most disappointing.

(It's cause it scales over in adults. I suspect that it's not too clear on the babies either.)

Tuatara

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I've seen a tuatara once, in New Zealand. I knew they were an ancient species, but I never knew any of this.

B

Re: Tuatara

[guppiecat]

Next time you go there, you'll have to take baby pictures for us. :)

Re: Tuatara

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

It was in an Aukland zoo. They only live in the wild on some islands south of the south island of New Zealand. (I hope that makes sense.)

B

Re: Tuatara

[guppiecat]

Yeah, it makes sense... and since there's not much South to the South of the New Zealand, it does narrow the possible range.

Do you know if the zoo is attempting to breed them? If so, there would be a chance to see a baby.

Re: Tuatara

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I have no idea. It was a long time ago.

B

[jenmarya.livejournal.com]

Freaking amazing. Also enjoyed learning about their longevity and that their eggs hatch over a year after being laid--must be one helluva well-stocked, cozy little egg.

[warpmind.livejournal.com]

Hee, oh those rabid creationists...

" Now what if someone said that the Boeing 777 evolved from the Boeing 767? As you can see they look similar in size and shape. Ideas were taken from the Boeing 767 that became part of the Boeing 777. The Boeing 777 did not metamorphose from the Boeing 767. We know that it takes engineers, scientists and mechanics multiple millions of hours to create a new airplane!"

...Well, yeah, true, but that's just because nobody's built in procreative functions in the planes to begin with.

I mean, can you imagine the inconveniences? "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Our flight from Cleveland to Milwaukee will be somewhat delayed, as the flight from LA to New York has shown up on a intercept course and has initiated mating rituals. Please return your seats to their upright positions, fasten your seatbelts, and try not to concentrate on the odd movement patterns we're about to enter..."

[guppiecat]

*excellent* comment.

Of course, I'd rather get a ride on a plane that might start mating than one that could undergo spontaneous mitosis. :)

[warpmind.livejournal.com]

Very true... "Miss, where'd the passenger in the seat next to me go? He borrowed my magazine." "Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am, he went along with the split-off flight. It happens all the time. Don't worry, though, you'll be reunited once we land. We're not sure which of the two planes your luggage wound up on, though, so sorting may take some time."

[hitchhiker.livejournal.com]

i knew about the three eyes, but not that it had such a cool evolutionary history!