Aug 06 2009
Evolution is smarter than you are
By David Finnigan
Quick, what’s the most ridiculous-looking animal in the world? Is it the Leafy Sea Dragon? It is, isn’t it?
Yes, it is.
I don’t mean to criticise spuriously. Orgel’s Second Law (as formulated by Dan Dennett) states that ‘Evolution is smarter than you are,’ meaning that although we may not understand the purpose of a particular evolved feature, it is likely to have some adaptive function that outweighs its ridiculousness.I’m sure the Leafy Sea Dragon’s hilarious shape has a valid adaptive purpose* – among other things, it’s brilliantly camouflaged as something you might see pinned on the wall of a Year 3 Art Class – but the reason I bring it up is that it’s a classic example of the kind of design you can only find under the sea.**
While I would freak out if I ever actually encountered a Leafy Sea Dragon (or try to pin it to my date’s Year 12 Formal dress), biologist Dr Culum Brown deals with strange beasts of this order every day.
Culum is the Director of Advanced Biology and Assistant Editor of the Journal of Fish Biology at Macquarie University. As he explains, “I spend a lot of time fishing. I know it doesn’t sound like work, but they pay me for it so I guess it must be!”
Dr Culum Brown: currently reading a book about the history of Italian food.
Dr Brown is one of the scientists taking part in the Ultimo Science Festival’s Speed Meet and Greet a Geek event, taking place at the ABC Cafe on August 29. You, along with other members of the public, will be able to speak face-to-face with four scientists about their work.
I got in first to harass Dr Brown with my own questions in advance.
David: What motivated you to pursue a science-related career?
Culum: I always had a great empathy for animals and a lot of exposure to the sea. When I was a wee tacker I spent a lot of time watching fishermen bring in their nets on various tropical islands in Asia. Fish always fascinated me. So many shapes and colours.
David: What is your favorite month of the year and why?
Culum: Well it has to be a summer month. Summer is great, I can go fishing and not get cold! Plus the fish are more active. Perhaps December knowing that most of summer is still to come.
David: What are you most proud of?
Culum: I could go for the spew answer here and say my 8 day old little girl … but I’ll diverge to more sciency ground: My recent Australian Research Fellowship.
David: What human innovation or invention do you most admire?
Yes, it is. Image: wikipedia
Culum: SCUBA – how cool is it to be able to stay underwater!
David: It is totally cool.
Read more about the Ultimo Science Festival’s Speed Meet and Greet a Geek.
*Other than my amusement.
**We wouldn’t stand for that kind of frivolity on land.
I saw a picture of a Leafy Sea Dragon in a picture book when I was about 4 and was bedazzled! Since then I have had a very soft and squishy spot for the oft maligned and misunderstood creature.
I covered its eyes so it couldn’t read your taunts about its unusual appearance and repeated that it was indeed a beautiful and unique (aquatic) snowflake.
Ps. now I have ‘Under the Sea’ from The Little Mermaid in my head… thanks a lot