Scientists Solve Surfing Snails Stumper
Violet snails may be some of the best surfers around, but how the ocean snails develop their little rafts has been a mystery. Biologists have now figured out that the surfing snails ascended from evolutionary relatives on the ocean floor. The surfboard evolved from the snails' egg packet.
Copyright © 2011 National Public Radio®. For personal, noncommercial use only. See Terms of Use. For other uses, prior permission required.
ARI SHAPIRO, host: Good morning. I'm Ari Shapiro.
Violet snails may be some of the best surfers around, but how these little ocean snails developed their rafts has been a mystery - until now. Biologists have figured out that the surfing snails ascended from evolutionary relatives on the ocean floor. The surfboard evolved from the snail's egg packet. Biologist Cecilia Churchill(ph) says it's the consistency of bubble wrap. She tells National Geographic you can pop it if you get a fresh one. It's MORNING EDITION.
Copyright © 2011 National Public Radio®. All rights reserved. No quotes from the materials contained herein may be used in any media without attribution to National Public Radio. This transcript is provided for personal, noncommercial use only, pursuant to our Terms of Use. Any other use requires NPR's prior permission. Visit our permissions page for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by a contractor for NPR, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of NPR's programming is the audio.
More Research News
Krulwich Wonders...
Do Plants Smell Other Plants? This One Does, Then Strangles What It Smells
Plants don't have noses. But a vine can smell the difference between a tomato and a stalk of wheat.
Research News
Stroke Victims Think, Robotic Arm Acts
A pill-sized implant turns thought into action for two individuals paralyzed by stroke.
Medical Treatments
Rerouting Working Nerves To Restore Hand Function
Surgeons bypass a spinal cord injury to build a new hand-brain connection in paralyzed man.
Comments
Discussions for this story are now closed. Please see the Community FAQ for more information.