Saturday, September 25, 2010

How did Hibernating Siberian Beetles evolve?

They couldn't have! Amazing antifreeze lets them survive minus 37 degrees, not possible to have developed this trait in stages...

"Frozen Alive? All by Design, by Jonathan C. O'Quinn, D.P.M, M.S. (Abbreviated version)

(This article digest is by Marko Malyj, of the article published in Creation Matters, Volume 15, Number 4, July/August 2010, a publication of the Creation Research Society, to appear 2011 at http://www.creationresearch.org/creation_matters/pdf/2010/CM15%2004%20low%20res.pdf).

Siberia is one of the coldest places on earth, yet the Timberman Beetle Acanthocinus aedilis thrives there. During the winter months, these insects accumulate high concentrations of polyol, approximately 1,500 mmolal [millimolal]. Polyols depress the supercooling point of these insects.

Timberman beetle larvae also have glycerol concentrations of 2,600 mM [millimolar], providing the more fragile larvae with extra protection against freezing. These insects are able to tolerate cooling as low as -37 °C or colder. Timberman larvae also have extremely low cuticular water permeability, allowing them to stay supercooled for long periods without great water loss. 

These specializations for dealing with extreme cold had to work properly from day one in order for these insects to survive. They could not have developed in stages through evolution!

This argues strongly in favor of the biblical account of creation. The Lord created all things according to their kinds. Even the Timberman beetle shows us the mighty power of our Almighty Creator.

Bibliography

E. Kristiansen, N. G. Li, A. I. Averensky, A. E. Laugsand and K. E. Zachariassen, 2009. The Siberian timberman Acanthocinus aedilis: a freeze-tolerant beetle with low supercooling points. J. Comp. Physiol. B 179:563-68.

No comments:

Post a Comment