There's a tantalizing explanation for why these rodents showed up in strange places. (via hakaimagazine)
The two landmasses that make up the bulk of New Zealand–the North Island and the South Island–are less than 25 kilometers apart but couldn’t be more different. The North Island hosts the country’s largest city, Auckland, and is known for towering volcanoes, legendary surfing beaches, and a relatively balmy climate. On the colder and quieter South Island, the rugged landscape is pierced by glassy lakes, rolling glaciers, and snow-capped mountains–familiar backdrops to fans of themovie trilogy.
The rodent riddle deepened in 2019, when researchers at New Zealand’s University of Auckland uncovered the same trend in Norway rats. The South Island’s animals matched with a strain known only from China, while the North Island rats were closest to England’s. King hypothesized that unscrupulous fur traders bypassed Sydney on their way to and from Canton to avoid authorities. “Those who wanted to sidestep the regulations did it very quietly,” she says. Such secretive voyages would have also evaded official record-keeping.
Philippa Mein Smith, a historian at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand who was not involved in the research, says that there is some evidence of nefarious dealings through the port. In 1806, colonial authorities busted Simeon Lord, an ex-convict and sealing entrepreneur based in Sydney, for shipping 87,000 sealskins collected in the Antipodes Islands, south of New Zealand, to Canton via Sydney. But by some small miracle, Lord’s voyage must not have let any rodents loose.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Girl requests police test DNA on Christmas cookie for evidence of Santa ClausPolice in Rhode Island say they have received a unique request from one of their residents.
Read more »
Police test DNA on Rhode Island girl's cookie, carrots for evidence of Santa ClausChief Matthew Benson has “immediately” instructed his investigative division to forward her evidence to the State of Rhode Island’s, Department of Health and Forensic Sciences Unit for analysis.
Read more »
Young RI girl asks police to test cookie for DNA proof of Santa ClauseA young girl sent a partially eaten cookie and gnawed-on carrot sticks to the Ohio police and asked whether they could test the items for DNA proof of Santa Clause.
Read more »
This stinky suspect left behind DNA evidence in TukwilaThe 'Phantom Pooper' struck the Tukwila Community Center, stealing technology and leaving behind some stinky evidence.
Read more »
Girl requests police test DNA on Christmas cookie for evidence of Santa ClausPolice say they have received a unique DNA request from one of their residents.
Read more »
Blueface's GF Chrisean Says She's Pregnant with His Kid, He Wants DNA ProofHip hop's most dysfunctional couple, Blueface and Chrisean Rock, are expecting a baby -- according to her, at least, but he doesn't believe he's father ... not without a DNA test to prove it.
Read more »