Reasearchers have discovered that within the next 50 years, dozens of lizard species could become extinct, specifically the Liolaemus species. It is mostly due to global warming because lizards that currently live and lay eggs in cold weather areas may not be able to give birth, or live in those areas unless they adapt. In the past lizards adapted and changed so they could live in cold environments, but now that adaption could come back to hurt them. Lizards now living in the cold climates of south america, and the ones, living in the South Pole may have to move north so that they can survive. Lizards are one of the most adaptable species according to Dr. Pincheria-Donoso, but they might not be able to get through this.
Link:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305200306.htm
NOS Themes:
1) Role of Motivation and Curiosity - Dr. Pincheria asked to study lizards, and was curious to find out how diverse they are, and what role they play in biodiversity.
2) Science is Collaborative - Reasearchers at Exeter and two other Doctors combined to do all of this reasearch.
I just read an article that said that most of the species of lizards live in warm, tropical climates, not cold weather areas. This means that most lizards would survive because many of them already live in the warmer climates and would be used to it.
ReplyDeletehttp://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312800/lizard.htm
In Jacobs article, it said that the lizards in the most danger, are the ones of South America, where the weather gets cold like it would here in MN. There are a lot of lizards in warm climates, for example Florida or Mexico, and I believe that if the researchers are right about global warming affecting the populations, the cold climate lizards could go extinct. The warm climate lizards would still continue to live and reproduce normally.
ReplyDelete(http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305200306.htm)
According to an article from Time, we should worry about more than a couple dozen species dying within the next 50 year. This article says nearly 40% of all lizards and 20% of lizard species could be dead by 2080. The study that produced these results started when scientists began noticing many species of French lizards becoming extinct. This sparked a global study which has now brought to light the possible extinction of so many lizards.
ReplyDeleteArticle:
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1989115,00.html
Its unfortunate to hear of such a dire prediction for lizards. I think we all know they wont be the only ones affected by rising temperatures though. Many species on Earth will most likely experience a similiar problem. I also think lizards in more hot climates could still easily be affected by rising temps. Introducing or changing a factor in any enviorment will change it (for better or worse), whether the change seems similiar or not.
ReplyDeleteArticle:
http://news.aces.illinois.edu/news/global-warming-beneficial-ratsnakes