A gene implicated in the evolution of human language may have also helped bats make sounds of their own. Various bat species that emit high-frequency squeaks to detect prey and avoid obstacles share a high degree of variation in the FOXP2 gene, according to a new study, suggesting that genetic changes in the gene helped promote the evolution of this ability.
FOXP2 codes for a protein that seems to influence coordination between mouth movements and speech.
This reminded me of Richard Dawkins writing about the evolution of intermediate processes such as a microscopic creature that could differentiate between light and dark. A fundamental step in the evolution of sight.
Bat House Construction & Installation - there is a pdf file at link with instructions. And remember not to hang in a place where it is exposed to the sun much of the day.
Velociraptor was just a scary turkey, say scientists
Velociraptor, the fearsome dinosaur made famous in the Jurassic Park films, had feathers and probably more closely resembled a big turkey than the killer screen dinosaur, scientists have discovered.
Velociraptor, which was much smaller in real life than its screen version, was a one-metre tall, two-legged predator that lived more than 70m years ago. Equipped with large claws on each leg, it was a close relative to the earliest birds
A giant turkey chasing Laura Dern around might have made for a good comedy, but not that scary unless you have a phobia about being pecked to death.
