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New Rodent Species Found
IZ Reloaded writes "A new species of rodent has been discovered by World Conservation Society researcher Dr. Robert Timmins. He found this creature in a hunter's market in Central Laos. The creature known as Kha-Nyou to the locals is so unique it represents an entire new family of wildlife. Kha-Nyou diverged from other rodents millions of years ago."
I thought this was another exposé on a spammer.
'Already made it to David Letterman. He's surprised NYC hasn't already imported about 12,000 (IIRC) of them...
Mark
Nonsense! They were designed that way. I'm sure there is some mention of these animals somewhere in The Bible.
I smell a rat.
The dangers of knowledge trigger emotional distress in human beings.
No sig for now.
AFAIK "family" and "species" mean different things (the mnemonic "King Philip Cried Out For Goodness Sake" comes to mind - the order is kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species) ... they found a new species which is so different they had to make a new family/genus for it?
From TFA:
Found along side the slender faced rodent was four turtles, with comic head bands. Unfortunatly, the rats previous owner, a martial arts expert, was found killed next to the animals...
"A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes." -Mahatma Gandhi
known as Kha-Nyou to the locals
How could it be discovered if it's already known to someone?
Coder's Stone: The programming language quick ref for iPad
Anyone have any news on whether those humanoid remains discovered in malaisa were classified as a new species?
No, no. This one is about Drudge.
http://www.rootstrikers.org/
Since the Kha-Nyou only have one pup at a time there's no hope they can displace Louisiana's Nutria rat problem. Interesting that the Kha-Nyou are vegetarian rats; that's certainly an oddity. Rodents tend to eat pretty much everything (Cat5 cables, cardboard, styrofoam, cafeteria food).
Nutria rats are a serious ecological problem around here (rural Louisiana). If you're bored on the weekend you can get $4 a tail.
I think the "discovered" used here was in the sense of the old Han Solo line, "What an incredible new smell you've discovered!" As in, everybody stationed on board the Death Star knew the smell was there, but they had the good sense not to go rooting around through it.
Will it float?
You can hold down the "B" button for continuous firing.
We were just running out of book cover animals.
We're exploring the stars? Unless you mean Janet Jackson; no, we're a long, long way from doing that. And do you really think a team of astronomers would be effective at seaching through Lao markets for new rodents?
We find a new species, and WE ARE ALREADY EATING IT.
"What do you know about this rodent?"
"Very little, we don't yet know where it diverged from modern rodentia. It is, however, *excellent* over rice."
You're the sort of guy who's going to cause trouble when I discover your house, aren't you?
KFG
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/12/science/12rodent .html
The NY Times article about this.
Local farmers and hunters trapped or snared the animals, which they also referred to as rock rats, slaughtered them and took them to market
A species that no western scientist has ever seen, and the locals are trying as hard as they can to make them extinct. It seems to be a common theme in history. Is this the future of mankind on earth?
"Sure there's porn and piracy on the Web but there's probably a downside too."
Yes. They found a new species that is so differenty they had to make a new family and genus for it.
The articles really short. It took me about 30 seconds to read.
Mod me down and I will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine!
An article predating this discovery lists 29 Families of Rodentia. The Old-World Hystricognathi include old-world porcupines, mole rats, cane rats, and Dassie rats; the New World families are a lot broader.
"Rodents of Unusual Size? I don't think they exist!
Bill Stewart
New Fast-Compression-only CPR http://preview.tinyurl.com/dy575ks
are they of unusual size? I didn't think they existed...Aargh!
Headline should read: "Pompous university jerk buys what working class already found."
I suggest you read Slashdot
It's disturbing enough that there are people out there eating rodents.
North American rodents quite commonly found on someone's dinner table include, porcupine, squirrel, woodchuck, prarie dog, marmot, and yes, beaver (he, he!)
Just because you can't find it wrapped in plastic and the Grand Union or Piggly Wiggly don't mean it ain't damn good eatin'.
I suppose you're going to get really weirded out when I mention that there are huge swaths of the US where a good cicada "hatch" is considered a bit of a tasty holiday time.
KFG
I thought the RIAA and MPAA had cross bred some evil little thing...
I've seen pictures. Its just a normal mouse with a scrollwheel...
In best Shatner tone: KHHAAAA---------N
Faith: n. -- That human impulse that drives them to steal appliances when the power goes out
more accurately, in china, the saying is "if its belly face downwards, its edible"
To discover is to reveal to the modern scientific pool of thought...
...it's called "sin". Sin is deadly. Especially, apparently, to newborn children who presumably are the worst sinners of all.
STOP MISUSING APOSTROPHES, YOU MORONS!!!
I'm sure you can name the genus and species of every creature you shove into your mouth, keeping in mind the variety of rodents and insects you ingest with your fruit and vegetable products.
Unless you've actually tried rodent meat, you really have no place judging people for eating it. What would you do if a Hindu person popped in here and started berating Americans for eating beef and using cow products? At least in their case it's a religious issue.
"He does look a bit Oompa like, even if his Loompa is a bit off-kilter."
Or, as might be said...
who gives a rat's ass?
'If you're flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit.'
God created evolution to punish creatonists.
Lars T.
To the guy who modded me down from perfect to terrible Karma - Apple haters still suck