Available online
Description
The programme illustrates how organisms can be dispersed and how the endemic flora and fauna of Hawaii depict the evolutionary consequences on isolated islands.
The programme illustrates how organisms can be dispersed and how the endemic flora and fauna of Hawaii depict the evolutionary consequences on isolated islands.
| Module code and title: | S364, Evolution |
|---|---|
| Item code: | S364; 11 |
| First transmission date: | 06-08-1981 |
| Published: | 1981 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:30 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Roger Jones |
| Contributor: | Irene Ridge |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Caldera; Colonisation; Ecosystem; Evolution; Habitats; Halakeala; Kea; Mauna; Pollination; Volcanoes |
| Footage description: | Shots of birds, insects and flowers. Irene Ridge on board an airliner. She gives a brief listing of flora and fauna of the islands, particularly since the coming of man. Shots of coastline, interior, beach with sunbathers and of several animals. Over shots of Haleakala and of Mauna Kea, Irene Ridge points out some of the older flora and fauna which are still relatively undisturbed by man and the lifeforms introduced by man. Irene Ridge describes how the Hawaiian Islands were formed and their early environment after formation but before life established itself. Shots of volcanoes erupting, of the summit caldera of Kilauea and of the fire pit of Halemaumau. Ridge goes on to describe two methods, air and sea, by which plant and animal life may have colonised the islands. Over shots of flowers, clouds, birds, sea and more plants, she describes several species of plant which probably arrived on the islands by these methods. Over shots of a Hawaiian beach at night and of a cricket among the rocks there, Irene Ridge describes this animal as an example of colonisation and adaptive shift often associated with evolution on isolated islands. The programme goes on to look at relations of this cricket which have colonised and adapted to a habitat of fresh lava in the wet interior of the islands. Shots of this nocturnal cricket eating a fly which it has captured. The programme looks at another remarkable example of adaptive radiation, a carniverous cricket living underground in lava tube caverns. Shots of such a cricket eating a fly. Shots of Mauna Kea, one of the coldest and highest places in Hawaii, and of several insects which have been blown up on to this volcano. Shots of a Wekin bug, a rare species specially adapted to this habitat, feeding on insects blown to the summit. Irene Ridge, voice over shots of plants and insects, points out that in the new environment of Hawaii many of the colonising species have lost the special adaptations which were important in their original homes. Shots of begger tick plant and of flightless moths and beetles. The programme looks at the methods of pollination some plants on Hawaii have evolved for ensuring outbreeding. Shots of Caprosma, Broussasia and geraniums. Over shots of damsel fly, and its nymph and of snails, Irene Ridge discusses some of the shifts of habitat and habit which some species have evolved in the absence of continental competitors. Shots of a carniverous pugmoth caterpillar which is the only known carniverous caterpillar in the world. Shots of the caterpillar catching and eating a fly. |
| Master spool number: | HOU3601 |
| Production number: | FOUS123R |
| Videofinder number: | 2062 |
| Available to public: | no |
