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Scientists push new paradigm of animal consciousness, saying even insects may be sentient (www.nbcnews.com)

submitted 7 months ago by fossilesque@mander.xyz to c/biodiversity@mander.xyz

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[-] bulwark@lemmy.world 21 points 7 months ago

I always kinda assumed insects where sentient. I've seen a bumblebee get excited over finding a flower with a lot of pollen in it.

[-] SuckMyWang@lemmy.world 14 points 7 months ago

An insect that is semi squashed is very clearly suffering and aware of its own suffering

[-] disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world 7 points 7 months ago

I’ve always felt the same, but that’s empathy talking. It’s been difficult to prove that the action is anything more than neurological response. I’m happy to see science is finding evidence to support what instinct has been telling us.

[-] nikaaa@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago

I saw a wasp or bee (idk) approach me (I was holding some kebab), fly around my face for a couple of seconds, land on the kebab, use her fucking mouth like scissors to cut off some meat just large enough that she could carry it, and fly off with it. She tumbled a bit when flying off with it at first, but then she managed. It was like a movie scene.

this post was submitted on 21 Apr 2024

139 points (93.7% liked)

Biodiversity

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Biodiversity is a term used to describe the enormous variety of life on Earth. It can be used more specifically to refer to all of the species in one region or ecosystem. Biodiversity refers to every living thing, including plants, bacteria, animals, and humans. Scientists have estimated that there are around 8.7 million species of plants and animals in existence. However, only around 1.2 million species have been identified and described so far, most of which are insects. This means that millions of other organisms remain a complete mystery.

Over generations, all of the species that are currently alive today have evolved unique traits that make them distinct from other species. These differences are what scientists use to tell one species from another. Organisms that have evolved to be so different from one another that they can no longer reproduce with each other are considered different species. All organisms that can reproduce with each other fall into one species. Read more...

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