Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Jet Black · 10-09-2004, 10:16 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3730574.stm

it appears that they have found a new great ape, though they are not yet sure whether is is a giant chimp, a gorilla chimp hybrid or something else. any thoughts, or is it just too early to say?

Prince Vegita · 10-09-2004, 10:28 PM

This story rears its head about twice a year. Truth is, we just don't know much of anything and haven't learned much since it first came out.

RBH · 10-10-2004, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prince Vegita

This story rears its head about twice a year. Truth is, we just don't know much of anything and haven't learned much since it first came out.

As a general rule, I'm wary of news stories that only mention anonymous "scientists" in connection with new discoveries.

RBH

Albion · 10-10-2004, 12:16 AM

This article goes into a bit more detail:

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...55E663,00.html

The article they mention is in the print edition of the 8 Oct issue of New Scientist.

Deadend · 10-10-2004, 02:32 AM

Accoring to the Beeb:

Quote:

Scientists believe they have discovered a new group of giant apes in the jungles of central Africa.

The animals, with characteristics of both gorillas and chimpanzees, have been sighted in the north of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Quote:

The discovery has baffled scientists.

There are three controversial possibilities to explain the origin of the mystery apes:

They are a new species of ape
They are giant chimpanzees, much larger than any so far recorded, but behave like gorillas
They could be hybrids, the product of gorillas mating with chimpanzees.

Yggdrasill · 10-10-2004, 03:47 AM

Oh, I was expecting a picture of Bush. :Cheeky:

Heurismus · 10-10-2004, 04:43 AM

Obviously it is difficult for us to conjecture what this 'different' specie is without expert knowledge or the results i.e. scientific facts.

But one paragraph intrigues me to throw perhaps a non-existent spanner in the works and it is this...

'But they live hundreds of kilometres away from any other known gorilla populations, and their diet is closer to that of chimpanzees.'

What is so puzzling about this? The entire equatorial and sub-tropical biome has been so disrupted by the peoples of that area that any 'diaspora' of the great apes, as indicated by the ever dwindling habitats of both gorillas and chimpanzees is fully accepted to my reasoning. Why therefore should the old assumption that a gorilla is a gorilla is a gorilla still linger and that other variations are surprising to the enquirer? This is yet another example of evolution and I doubt very much if it is a cross between a Chimp and a Gorilla.

Until we get a full analysis, the manner this seems to be taking is reminiscent of less erudite claims, such as 'cor there really is something on Mt. Ararat' or 'just imagine it the Big Greys actually exist'. Maybe the reportage was poor, but then you've got to sell copy haven't you!

Heathen Dawn · 10-10-2004, 05:22 AM

Quote:

The discovery has baffled scientists.

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<anticipation mode="yec">Therefore Genesis is literally true! Praise Jebus!</anticipation>

socratoad · 10-10-2004, 05:29 AM

New great ape? Methinks it may be another appearance of the Piltdown man

Or perhaps not :huh:

Chris Weimer · 10-10-2004, 05:33 AM

<?xml version="1.1"?>
<remark type="smart">You're behind the times aren't you?</remark>

<!--

You do much with web programming, HD? -->

10-09-2004, 10:16 PM	#1
Jet Black Contributor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: (GSV) Lasting Damage Posts: 10,734	who ordered the new great ape? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3730574.stm it appears that they have found a new great ape, though they are not yet sure whether is is a giant chimp, a gorilla chimp hybrid or something else. any thoughts, or is it just too early to say?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

10-09-2004, 10:28 PM	#2
Prince Vegita Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Merry-land with Iowa on deck Posts: 1,320	This story rears its head about twice a year. Truth is, we just don't know much of anything and haven't learned much since it first came out.

10-10-2004, 12:16 AM	#4
Albion Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: US east coast. And www.theroyalforums.com Posts: 2,829	This article goes into a bit more detail: http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...55E663,00.html The article they mention is in the print edition of the 8 Oct issue of New Scientist.

10-10-2004, 03:47 AM	#6
Yggdrasill Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kongsberg, Norway. I'm a: Skeptic Posts: 7,597	Oh, I was expecting a picture of Bush. :Cheeky:

10-10-2004, 04:43 AM	#7
Heurismus Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: West London Posts: 2,337	Obviously it is difficult for us to conjecture what this 'different' specie is without expert knowledge or the results i.e. scientific facts. But one paragraph intrigues me to throw perhaps a non-existent spanner in the works and it is this... 'But they live hundreds of kilometres away from any other known gorilla populations, and their diet is closer to that of chimpanzees.' What is so puzzling about this? The entire equatorial and sub-tropical biome has been so disrupted by the peoples of that area that any 'diaspora' of the great apes, as indicated by the ever dwindling habitats of both gorillas and chimpanzees is fully accepted to my reasoning. Why therefore should the old assumption that a gorilla is a gorilla is a gorilla still linger and that other variations are surprising to the enquirer? This is yet another example of evolution and I doubt very much if it is a cross between a Chimp and a Gorilla. Until we get a full analysis, the manner this seems to be taking is reminiscent of less erudite claims, such as 'cor there really is something on Mt. Ararat' or 'just imagine it the Big Greys actually exist'. Maybe the reportage was poor, but then you've got to sell copy haven't you!

10-10-2004, 05:29 AM	#9
socratoad Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada, deep in the heart of the boreal forest Posts: 4,239	New great ape? Methinks it may be another appearance of the Piltdown man Or perhaps not :huh:

10-10-2004, 05:33 AM	#10
Chris Weimer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: none Posts: 9,879	<?xml version="1.1"?> <remark type="smart">You're behind the times aren't you?</remark> <!-- You do much with web programming, HD? -->

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.