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Пишет imp_18533 (![[info]](http://lj.rossia.org/img/imported-profile.gif){kind=small} shkrobius@lj) |
why only now?
I did know that these beetles and their prey are so recent in origin. I looked it up; apparently you are right. But why? Was not there enough dung around before the grazing mammals appeared on the scene (some of dinosaur' coproliths are taller than me)? I mean, if it was enough for the scarab beetles, there was enough for the flies. The flies date from the middle Triassic, like the beetles. This very late onset of coprophagy looks very mysterious. Why was dung ignored for such a long time? If it was not, perhaps the clown beetles simply switched their prey recently.
I did know that these beetles and their prey are so recent in origin. I looked it up; apparently you are right. But why? Was not there enough dung around before the grazing mammals appeared on the scene (some of dinosaur' coproliths are taller than me)? I mean, if it was enough for the scarab beetles, there was enough for the flies. The flies date from the middle Triassic, like the beetles. This very late onset of coprophagy looks very mysterious. Why was dung ignored for such a long time? If it was not, perhaps the clown beetles simply switched their prey recently.
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