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July 31, 2007
Atmospheric change on our side
The falling oxygen level ended the reign of the giant bugs!
Insects carry oxygen to cells differently from humans. Instead of a single breathing tube, bugs have several pairs of holes known as spiracles along their bodies.These holes connect to tubes called tracheae, which transport oxygen to cells and remove carbon dioxide.
The x-ray scans revealed that as beetles become larger, tracheae take up proportionally more room in their bodies because they need to be longer and wider to deliver enough oxygen. This, in turn, inhibits growth by crowding other organs.
(well, it was 300 million years ago, but I'm still happy to know there won't be any 2 meter millipedes, except in horror movies)
Posted by CrankyProfessor at July 31, 2007 7:24 AM