By Tony Taylor, Volunteer Guide
The BBC have just aired the first episode of a three week programme on it’s flagship channel BBC1.
The programme follows the work of a research vessel with special permission to explore the Galapagos Islands, equipped with a fantastic array of technical machinery and aids together with a range of scientists from all imaginable fields. The Science is so interesting you have to remember to take in the amazing scenery and views of the land formations.
Studies were being made of the seriously endangered Pink Iguana, possibly terminally endangered as only some 200 of this unique animal remain on the slopes of the Wolf Volcano on the largest island on the Archipelago. Little is known of their life style so catching, measuring and tagging is vital to understand how we can help their survival. Exploration continues then in an 8 tonne three man submersible ‘Nadir’, which, together with a two man ‘Deep Rover’ descended after 2 hours to 1000m on the sea bed against the side of a now dormant volcano. During a 7 hour slow ascent sea life was filmed; a star fish collected which subject to further DNA analysis may be a new species; and a possible new octopus seen.
Studies switched to one of the 11 species of Tortoise on the Islands, all developed to suit the vegetation unique to each Island to see the effects of recent droughts and ensure they were still breeding. Despite a harsh environment the Tortoise’s ability to go a whole year without food or water enabled the team to find numerous animals and a Tortoise nest with broken eggshells to confirm their survival.
The final study was of the populous Marine Iguana, the only sea going lizard which can dive for an hour to feed, exclusively, on algae. Some years the algae can virtually disappear due to currents depending on the ‘El Nino’, in 1988 for example the population decreased by some 60%. Catching, tagging and X-raying in the field may help to explain how, during the lack of food the species reduce food intake by becoming smaller. Evolution on a Darwin timescale would not enable it to survive so it is believed individual specimens can achieve a size reduction within its own life span.
The life of the Islands over many millennia was explained, the 7cm annual SE drift of the tectonic plate meaning today’s islands will move from the ‘hot-spot’ , cool, become lush, then sink as new volcanoes create new islands drawing in land mass.
A must see programme for any follower of Darwin, both Erasmus and Charles to see the latest outcome of their evolutionary and survival themes.
Three episode weekly programme airs on BBC1 at 9 p.m. First episode Thursday 30th March.
And if you want to find out more about the Galapagos Islands and the world’s longest living reptile, Erasmus Darwin House is hosting a special exhibition and activities in partnership with the Galapagos Conservation Trust throughout the summer. Sign up to our monthly newsletter here to stay in touch.
