FROM THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT

The paleontoligist Richard Fortey gives us a remarkable insight into how species have adapted and survived the mass extinction events that have shaped our world today.

Ancestors of crabs an lobsters like trilobites and brachiopods developed structures and systems that gave them and advantage with tough thick exo-skeletons that protected them.

THE HORSESHOE CRAB

 

The closest living decendent of these creatures called the horseshoe crab evolved with many of their ancestors' characteristics. Evidence shows they go back 400 milion years. 

Fossilized remains of horseshoe crab from the jurassic period show that they haven't changed a lot since then. Having surived at least 2 great mass extinctions they are extremely tolerant to environmental change.

 

The blood of the horshoe crab is not based on iron and red like ours - its blue - and based on copper. When confronting bacteria, it clots.

THE GINKGO TREE

Particularly interesting is the survival of the ginkgo tree. It grew in Jurassic Earth and dinosaurs once feasted upon its leaves. 

So incredibly resilient and adaptive, this tree actually survived the atom bomb in Japan, producing new shoots soon after it was dropped. 

The ginkgo tree is known as 'the tree that time forgot' . It has remained unchanged for an incredible 200 million years.

 

It is known as a living fossil and the oldest tree on earth. It's adaptabilty to different environments is quite remarkable, having thrived in radically different ecosystems since the dinosaurs roamed the earth. 

Today, its toughness and ability to withstand pollution is legendary. 

GINGKO GENOME

Recently a team of researchers drafted the genome sequence of the ginkgo. They discovered a high level of gene duplications and gene clusters possibly responsible for:

• enriched stimuli response - including defense
• multiple defense mechanisms against pathogens and insects
• enhanced resistance and adaptibility

Palentologists made a recent discovery of an extremely rare petrified ginkgo bark dating back 160 million years in Western Liaoning, China. Published in nature.com it revealed a cell structure virtually the same as it is in today's ginkgos. Scientists are now able to mark some of the earliest steps in ginkgo evolution as can be seen in nature.com.

GINKGO BRAIN POWER

Revered for its brain boosting properties, it is used widely in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment, alzheimers disease and dementia. In a remarkable study, Gingko Biloba extracts' powerful ability to alleviate brain changes brought by aluminium chloride may be down to specific anti-oxidant properties.

 

The leaf contains an extract called EGb-761. Standardised to contain about one quarter flavone glycosides and 6% flavone lactones, this is where the magic is found. Avoid products extracts containing gingkolic acids, from seeds and poor quality leaf. These have been shown to be dangerous and even carcinogenic.

  

At The Pittsburgh Ginkgo Festival celebrating a living fossil and educating all ages on the cultural history of the tree is the aim. They aim to protect this trees' rich heritage for future generations.