Giant insects might reign if only there was more oxygen in the air
October 24th, 2006 by 
Steven Gould
From Eurekalert: “The Paleozoic period, about 300 million years ago, was a time of huge and abundant plant life and rather large insects — dragonflies had two-and-a-half-foot wing spans, for example. The air’s oxygen content was 35% during this period, compared to the 21% we breathe now, Kaiser said. Researchers have speculated that the higher oxygen concentration allowed insects to grow much bigger.”
Wow! 35% oxygen? Imagine the lift to your step! Imagine the forest fires!
Guess it’s not atomic radiation after all. Link
Update 10/25 9:08 am: Just heard them cover this on NPR’s “Living On Earth.”
Posted in Science, Steve | 
3 Comments »
November 14th, 2006 at 4:38 pm
3 comments moved from Blogger:
Steven Gould said…
I practice Aikido here in Albuquerque at an altitude of 5000 feet. This really gives me an advantage when I go to a seminar at a dojo that is at sea level. I’ve got a lot more red blood cells transporting oxygen than the guys I’m working with.
Look out, guys, Giant Bug, coming through!
10/24/2006 10:09 AM
Morgan J Locke said…
Are you trying to tell us that you’re transgenic, Steve?
10/27/2006 9:31 PM
Steven Gould said…
Just Photogenic.
10/29/2006 9:32 PM
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