Available online
Description
The programme examines what a species is and how some species have evolved in Hawaii where isolation coupled with dynamic interactions of geology and climate have produced great diversity in a small area.
The programme examines what a species is and how some species have evolved in Hawaii where isolation coupled with dynamic interactions of geology and climate have produced great diversity in a small area.
| Module code and title: | S364, Evolution |
|---|---|
| Item code: | S364; 02 |
| First transmission date: | 05-03-1981 |
| Published: | 1981 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:17 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Roger Jones |
| Contributors: | Alison Kay; Irene Ridge |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Evolution; Hawaii; Honeycreepers; Picture wing flies; Silversword; Species |
| Footage description: | Aerial shots of Hawaii, and shots of native drosophila, caterpillars, spiders, a snail and an owl. The programme is introduced with a quote from Darwin writing about the Galapagos Islands. Over shots of an animated map of Hawaii Irene Ridge briefly describes the geological history of these islands. Over shots of several species of animals and plants found on Hawaii. Ridge describes the explosive speciation which occurred on the islands. She goes on to explain why Hawaii is special for those studying the process of evolution. Film shots of a volcanic eruption, of landscape on Big Island and of ferns growing through gaps in the lava. Over shots of various parts of one of the islands, Irene Ridge describes the vast differences in climate which are found on different parts of the same island. She points out the effect of these conditions on the evolution of species in Hawaii. Over more shots of Hawaiian landscape, commentary discusses the impact on the indiginous plant and animal life of exploitation by man. Shots of several closely related species of plants. Film shots of male and female pairs of two species of drosophila. Irene Ridge points out that speciation in Hawaii was so rapid that it is sometimes difficult to identify separate species. This is particularly so in some plant species which, like the native silversword and ohia, will interbreed with relatives to produce intergeneric hybrids. Alison Kay, on the beach, further discusses the problem of identifying separate species on Hawaii. Holding several limpets, she explains her research in trying to determine if the differences in the limpets are generic or if they are environmentally caused. Irene Ridge summarises the programme. Shots of plants and drosophila as she talks. |
| Master spool number: | HOU3602 |
| Production number: | FOUS124K |
| Videofinder number: | 2053 |
| Available to public: | no |
