Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


5

Mosquito Invasion Threatens Galapagos Wildlife

Share

(Newser) – Scientists fear that winged invaders could wipe out native species on the islands where Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution, the Times of London reports. Mosquitoes have been hitching rides to the Galapagos on incoming aircraft, and now Galapagos species—including iguanas, tortoises, and Darwin's finches—are in serious danger from mosquito-borne diseases they have no resistance to, a new study finds.

"The animals have evolved in the absence of these diseases, so they have virtually no resistance," warns the lead researcher. "You only need a single infectious mosquito to initiate a disease cycle." Scientists say that authorities must rigorously disinfect all flights, or the Galapagos could face an ecological disaster similar to the 19th-century mosquito invasion of Hawaii, which wiped out dozens of bird species.

Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria or West Nile fever could qipe out species like the Galapagos tortoise.
Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria or West Nile fever could qipe out species like the Galapagos tortoise.   (©kylemac)
An adult pink male iguana stands on the rim of the Volcan Wolf crater on Isabela Island, one of the the Galapagos Islands.
An adult pink male iguana stands on the rim of the Volcan Wolf crater on Isabela Island, one of the the Galapagos Islands.   (AP Photo/Gabriele Gentile)
Marine iguanas sunbathe on the volcanic rocks of Loberia Beach on San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos Archipelago.
Marine iguanas sunbathe on the volcanic rocks of Loberia Beach on San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos Archipelago.   (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
5 comments
VIEWING:
 
ruserious
Aug 12, 09 8:54 AM CDT
NO! I visited the Galapagos almost 2 years ago on a biology trip, and it changed the course of my studies. The islands are a precious gem and at one time represented a wonderful example of evolution without outside influences. They were living history. This is sad, but expected news. It is a 2-edged sword to visit, knowing that my presence is bringing organisms not indigenous to the islands. Just sad news overall. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
kokuaguy
Aug 12, 09 10:16 AM CDT
If it's not already too late then by all means the strictest enforcement measures should be used. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
Spudsy
Aug 12, 09 12:58 PM CDT
This is exactly why I so unselfishly refused to visit these precious islands. That and of course the fact that I have no money, no vacation time, no intelligence to understand the place, and lack any desire or expectations of a life better than sitting here in my dingy underwear drinking vast quantities of cheap beer and wasting any potential I probably never had by just typing on Newser all day. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
Spudsy
Aug 12, 09 12:59 PM CDT
Damn you suck Spudsy what a useless waste of..........oh, crap.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
radnip
Sep 30, 09 5:12 AM CDT
We're human. It's our destiny to mess up God's work. Maybe he'll make us another planet...NOT! Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

9 Stories

 'Star Wars' Scientists 
  Take Aim at Mosquitoes 

Anti-malaria Weapons of Mosquito Destruction can zap bugs 100ft away with lasers 

Mar 14, 09 4:06 AM CDT
(Newser) - Rocket scientists who worked on ways to beat Soviet missiles a generation ago are now using their lasers to zap mosquitoes, the Wall Street Journal reports. Researchers looking for ways to combat malaria have rejigged "Star Wars" technology to create a contraption that can pick off individual mosquitoes from... More »

MORE ABOUT:
malaria • mosquito • parasite • disease control • laser

Gates Lets Mosquitoes Fly at Audience

Stunt underscores malaria threat shouldn't be for 'only poor people'

Feb 5, 09 8:49 AM CST
(Newser) - Bill Gates had the audience buzzing yesterday as he released a jar of mosquitoes at the TED2009 conference in California during a presentation on eradicating malaria, reports MSNBC. The bugs were not carrying the disease. "Not only poor people should experience this," Gates explained, according to a witness... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Microsoft • Bill Gates • malaria • Facebook • mosquito • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation • Twitter • TED2009

Glossies

 Mosquitoes: a Cure for Malaria? 

Scientist takes risks to find cure

Dec 13, 08 4:02 AM CST
(Newser) - Mosquitoes land, swap a little of your blood for parasites that head straight to your liver, and so cause a million malaria-related deaths every year, writes Jason Fagone in Esquire. But what if you took those same mosquitoes and irradiated them? You get weakened parasites that make the perfect vaccine,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Africa • malaria • vaccine • mosquito • PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative • Dr. Stephen Hoffman

9 Stories


Science & Health 
TwitterFollow @NewserScience on Twitter

 
malaria • mosquito • Charles Darwin • Ecuador • ecosystem • Galapagos Islands

from our news partners