I would like to know about the ecologic changes in animal life in the islands that eruptions happen.

Cristina

Dear Cristina,

I am only familiar with Hawaii. Hawaii's only native mammals are a bat and a seal. But the birds and insects of the islands are incredible examples of evolution and diversity (almost enough to make me want to be a biologists). I do not know of specific examples of birds adapting to young barren lava flows. There are several species of spiders and crickets that have adapted to live on barren lava flows. The spiders eat the crickets. The crickets eat material that gets blown across the flows.

You might contact the hawaii Natural History Association to see what they have available on this topic.

Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota

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