Page 34 - 2003 - Atlantic Islands

FOUR DAYS AT SEA

DAY 1

The first of 4 sea days between the Cape Verdes and Ascension Island passed very

well because the sea was unruffled as were our innards. The naturalists and

expedition leaders kept us busy. Our first lecture in the morning covered the

controversy regarding whether or not birds evolved from dinosaurs and what

feathers themselves can contribute to the discussion as well as what the latest fossil

finds in China have done to change the terms of the argument. These fossils appear

to represent flightless dinosaurs who nevertheless seem to have developed primitive

feathers.

A lecture in the afternoon covered the biodiversity of oceanic islands and the high

rates of extinction these populations are subject to once alien species are introduced

either accidentally or purposefully. Roger used St. Helena as his example to

demonstrate the impact on that little Eden’s native flora and fauna once cats, dogs,

horses, burros, rats, mice, goats, and pigs became residents there. All but one bird

species have been wiped out- - so the little wirebird is now the only native bird on St.

Helena. Many species of plants were also extirpated or reduced to tiny pockets of

growth high on the cliffs where the grazing animals cannot reach.

Our sketch class today was also different from the usual exercises we have been

doing. MJ had gotten a couple of fish in Mindelo for us to “print.” She brought the

flying fish to the Galaxy Lounge today and showed us how she had prepared it by

removing all the mucus and loose scales and then used toothpicks to pin the fins in

the attitudes she wanted them to assume.

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