Living fossil found on New Zealand mainland

Just came across this article on CNN. Sorry if this has been discussed Before.

Link

The Living fossil is a reptile called the Tuatara." They are the last descendant of a species that walked the earth with the dinosaurs 225 million years ago, zoologists say."

This means that this reptile is much older than the Human race. If this is correct then why haven't they evolved like humans have? Is this the living proof that the theory of evolution is flawed?

The tuatara- isn't this the lizard that moves extremely slowly?

This isn't news. I've seen recent pictures of these things in the past and read about them online. Nothing new or exciting here.

You might as well report finding hedgehogs

The article's badly worded -- but this isn't a find of a "living fossil."

A species native to New Zealand, tuatara were nearly extinct on the country's three main islands by the late 1700s due to the introduction of predators such as rats. They still live in the wild on 32 small offshore islands cleared of predators.

A population of 70 tuatara was established at the Karori Sanctuary in 2005. Another 130 were released in the sanctuary in 2007.

What they found was the first evidence that they were breeding outside of their protected island preserve/sanctuary and were beginning to repopulate New Zealand itself (having swum over from their sanctuary, I guess.) Good news for these lovely beasties.



[edit on 31-10-2008 by Byrd]

No it aint news. We kiwis have known this for decades. HOWEVER it's not true, they are not unchanged in all that time so it's not a living fossil, just almost unchanged.

Originally posted by rattan1
Just came across this article on CNN. Sorry if this has been discussed Before.

Link

The Living fossil is a reptile called the Tuatara." They are the last descendant of a species that walked the earth with the dinosaurs 225 million years ago, zoologists say."

This means that this reptile is much older than the Human race. If this is correct then why haven't they evolved like humans have? Is this the living proof that the theory of evolution is flawed?

Dinosaurs evolved.Into birds.
There is scientific proof of this.
In fact so much proof, im not even going to go and find it for you.
But some species didn't need to.
Well perhaps they did evolve.Just not as much.
The article says, it has a lineage dating back to then.
It doesn't mean it is the same as it was back then.
Crocodiles and Alligators have a lineage dating back to prehistoric times.
It doesn't mean they are the same today, as they were back then.
Clutching at straws, for the illogical creationists once again.
Anything to stay in denial, and try and justify the lies you have been told.

reply to post by Interestinggg


Indeed. It used to be said a living dinosaur, but it wasn't, it's broke off of dino linage before the dinosaurs though as I said, they have changed quite a bit. They have this kind of pseudo-third-eye on the top of their head's for God knows what purpose, but it's since become functionless. So it has changed quite a bit

Originally posted by Helioflorae
This isn't news. I've seen recent pictures of these things in the past and read about them online. Nothing new or exciting here.

You might as well report finding hedgehogs

hedgehog?

wtf is a hedgehog?

reply to post by seriously,who cares?


Fast, blue little buggers who run around stealing peoples rings and beating up poor fat men with a inferiority complex.
Interesting article, but it's more of a remant than a living fossil.
A living fossil would be something like the coelocanth or horseshoe crab. Critters that've remained unchaged for millions of years.
They find they're niche, and they have no reason to change.
You also can find them at cubicles and police stations 'round the country.

reply to post by seriously,who cares?


"What's a hedgehod?"

Where do you live?

Originally posted by Good Wolf
reply to post by seriously,who cares?

 

"What's a hedgehod?"

Where do you live?

it was a joke,i apologise for any inconvience caused.

edit to fix onelineness

[edit on 31-10-2008 by seriously,who cares?]

reply to post by rattan1


No, but your post is proof that you don't understand the theory of evolution