Freethought & Rationalism Archive

premjan · 09-02-2007, 04:24 AM

I guess a leech up your rectum is just unbelievably bad news for a hippopotamus - parasites on land are probably not quite as bad.

Dlx2 · 09-02-2007, 04:56 PM

Most parasites are highly niche-specific, in fact, some gill flukes will only live on a specific portion of a specific gill of a specific species of fish.

SophistiCat · 09-02-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calilasseia

One from a past issue of Scientific American - a nematode called Placobdelloides jaegerskoldjei (I hope I spelt that one right!) that is only found in the rectum of the hippopotamus. Certainly, it is only known to mate in there.

A honeymoon in the rectum of a hippopotamus... How romantic!

doc_simon · 09-03-2007, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calilasseia

... that is only found in the rectum of the hippopotamus.

Sometimes I wonder how people discover this stuff! Did someone get their PhD in 'things that live in hippo's asses'?

Anyway, back to the OP...

Considering the minuscule percentage of the known universe that can support the types of creatures we know, by definition I guess all creatures live in a fantasically specific niche.

RAFH · 09-03-2007, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elká

The candirú, Vandellia cirrhosa.

Elká, it's not safe to go back in the water.

That's just plain nasty.

RAFH · 09-03-2007, 01:38 AM

Human head, body and pubic lice, only lives on humans. At least as far as I know. Supposedly if we die out, so do they.

It's a niche, though a pretty widespread one.

David B · 09-03-2007, 01:39 AM

More mites.

these appear specific to bees.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varroa_destructor

Also, I'm sure I read somewhere that there are mites (or something) that live around the human eye, but seem to not do any damage.

David B

RAFH · 09-03-2007, 01:40 AM

I guess HIV would also occupy a very narrow niche, though I guess it is pretty fast on the evolving routine so perhaps it could adapt to our extinction.

premjan · 09-03-2007, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David B

Also, I'm sure I read somewhere that there are mites (or something) that live around the human eye, but seem to not do any damage.

Demodex Folliculorum - they live in the eyelash follicles (and eat sebum) - next time your eyelash itches, think about them.

Berthold · 09-03-2007, 08:46 AM

The cuckoos eat caterpillars that are unpalatable to other predators.

Bee-eaters - well, their name says it.

09-02-2007, 04:24 AM	#11
premjan Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 53,632	I guess a leech up your rectum is just unbelievably bad news for a hippopotamus - parasites on land are probably not quite as bad.

09-02-2007, 04:56 PM	#12
Dlx2 Inactive Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 2,546	Most parasites are highly niche-specific, in fact, some gill flukes will only live on a specific portion of a specific gill of a specific species of fish.

09-03-2007, 01:38 AM	#16
RAFH Inactive Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kahaluu, Hawaii Posts: 6,400	Human head, body and pubic lice, only lives on humans. At least as far as I know. Supposedly if we die out, so do they. It's a niche, though a pretty widespread one.

09-03-2007, 01:39 AM	#17
David B Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wales Posts: 11,442	More mites. these appear specific to bees. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varroa_destructor Also, I'm sure I read somewhere that there are mites (or something) that live around the human eye, but seem to not do any damage. David B

09-03-2007, 01:40 AM	#18
RAFH Inactive Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kahaluu, Hawaii Posts: 6,400	I guess HIV would also occupy a very narrow niche, though I guess it is pretty fast on the evolving routine so perhaps it could adapt to our extinction.

09-03-2007, 08:46 AM	#20
Berthold Veteran Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Vienna, AUSTRIA Posts: 5,409	The cuckoos eat caterpillars that are unpalatable to other predators. Bee-eaters - well, their name says it.

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