Dragonflies (order Odonata) are perhaps one of the most studied and appreciated insects in the world today. Like the hummingbird, the dragonfly is a master in the art of flight. New research has only increased the sheer amazement one has for this four-winged wonder.¹

Being sedentary organisms, plants are essentially stuck where they are planted and need to dynamically adapt to the conditions around them to not only survive but thrive. They do this by constantly detecting changes in their environment with a huge host of sensors in their leaves, stems, and roots.

An international team of scientists onboard the schooner Tara is conducting an ongoing oceanic global study. The research is part of the Tara Oceans Consortium and has identified 5,500 new RNA virus species that represent all five known RNA virus phyla (a taxonomic category). In addition, they have discovered “’an entire phylum, the Taraviricota, . . .

Contrary to Darwinian theory, creatures are not molded by the environment, but rather they actively sense the environment and adapt accordingly. They continuously track their environmental surroundings through complex networks of sensors and then rapidly deploy pre-programmed adaptive solutions to maintain homeostasis.

A wide array of fish, amphibians, and arthropods have successfully colonized cave environments. In their cave adaptation, these creatures display complex systems of morphological, physiological, and behavioral traits that allow them to thrive in light-deficient and resource-scarce environments.