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Re: Fighting iguanas photo
The pineal eye should just be a light detector. It is pretty much directly
wired into the pineal gland/sac and functions in Circadian rhythm. The only way
I can think it would help with detecting aerial predators is that it might
alert the animal to a sudden shadow passing overhead. Having raised iguanas I
can certainly attest to their jumpiness when it comes to sudden shadows passing
over them. Of course their two regular eyes should be more than capable of
seeing the shadow too. :)
Jason
----- Original Message -----
> From: "quailspg@frii.com" <quailspg@frii.com>
> To: Dinosaur <dinosaur@usc.edu>
> Cc:
> Sent: Sunday, 13 October 2013 5:47 PM
> Subject: Re: Fighting iguanas photo
>
> Stunning!
>
> The text mentions that the lizards can detect aerial predators with the
> "parietal eye." I had thought that the opening and lens were to
> monitor
> light for detecting changes in the seasons, or some other very basic use.
> Can it actually "see" approaching objects?
>
> -- Donna Braginetz
>
>
>
>
>> OK--they're not dinosaurs but New Scientist has a photo of two
>> fighting iguanas that should be seen:
>>
>>
> http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/cms/mg22029380.100/mg22029380.100-1_1200.jpg
>>
>> text:
>>
> http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22029380.100-fighting-iguanas-are-reallife-game-of-thrones-dragons.html#.UloifVA_sbl
>