Which came first, the spider or the fly?
This question came up on QI, and I can't find the answer on the web.
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Which came first, the Spider or the Fly?
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mistermack
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Which came first, the Spider or the Fly?
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Re: Which came first, the Spider or the Fly?
Spiders come in in the late carboniferous about 319m years ago. Flys in the triassic about 245m years ago.
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Re: Which came first, the Spider or the Fly?
mistermack wrote:Which came first, the spider or the fly?
This question came up on QI, and I can't find the answer on the web.
.
"...on the web"!
well, from memory, flying insects first appeared in the Devonian (say 420mya), though true flies were much later, around the Triassic (~200mya). Spiders, I think, are also Devonian, so came before flies but after flying insects.
Googling would give more accurate figures, but basically spiders came first.
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Xamonas Chegwé
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Re: Which came first, the Spider or the Fly?
If you're a male spider, coming first is not recommended - especially if your wife is a black widow! 
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Salman Rushdie
You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic.
House MD
Who needs a meaning anyway, I'd settle anyday for a very fine view.
Sandy Denny
This is the wrong forum for bluffing
Paco
Yes, yes. But first I need to show you this venomous fish!
Calilasseia
I think we should do whatever Pawiz wants.
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Re: Which came first, the Spider or the Fly?
ah, but if you plan to come second, you may be dinner before you've had chance. At least if you come first you die happy
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Re: Which came first, the Spider or the Fly?
What if the wife just wears black a lot, and isn't a widow (yet)...?Xamonas Chegwé wrote:If you're a male spider, coming first is not recommended - especially if your wife is a black widow!
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mistermack
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Re: Which came first, the Spider or the Fly?
Ahaaaaaaaaa, you've all fluttered into my trap.
Since spiders and flies have a common ancestor, neither came first.
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Since spiders and flies have a common ancestor, neither came first.
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While there is a market for shit, there will be assholes to supply it.
Re: Which came first, the Spider or the Fly?
Nonsense. The common ancestor was neither spider nor fly, so at that time neither spider nor fly existed. The spider evolved from that ancestor before the fly did.mistermack wrote:Ahaaaaaaaaa, you've all fluttered into my trap.
Since spiders and flies have a common ancestor, neither came first.
.
"...anyone who says it’s “just the Internet” can
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Re: Which came first, the Spider or the Fly?
Everything alive has a common ancestor (except possibly some viruses and prions.) So every living thing has an equal length evolutionary path. but I would hesitate to say that humans have been here as long as sponges or mosses!mistermack wrote:Ahaaaaaaaaa, you've all fluttered into my trap.
Since spiders and flies have a common ancestor, neither came first.
.
A book is a version of the world. If you do not like it, ignore it; or offer your own version in return.
Salman Rushdie
You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic.
House MD
Who needs a meaning anyway, I'd settle anyday for a very fine view.
Sandy Denny
This is the wrong forum for bluffing
Paco
Yes, yes. But first I need to show you this venomous fish!
Calilasseia
I think we should do whatever Pawiz wants.
Twoflower
Bella squats momentarily then waddles on still peeing, like a horse
Millefleur
Salman Rushdie
You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic.
House MD
Who needs a meaning anyway, I'd settle anyday for a very fine view.
Sandy Denny
This is the wrong forum for bluffing
Paco
Yes, yes. But first I need to show you this venomous fish!
Calilasseia
I think we should do whatever Pawiz wants.
Twoflower
Bella squats momentarily then waddles on still peeing, like a horse
Millefleur
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mistermack
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Re: Which came first, the Spider or the Fly?
Well, if I'd asked which assumed it's modern form first, you might be right.
But I said which came first, so I'm right.
But I said which came first, so I'm right.
While there is a market for shit, there will be assholes to supply it.
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Xamonas Chegwé
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When backed into a corner, I fit perfectly - having a right-angled arse. - Location: Nottingham UK
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Re: Which came first, the Spider or the Fly?
There has been a spider in my bedroom for weeks - a fly turned up this afternoon and is now dinner - the spider was here first. QED.
A book is a version of the world. If you do not like it, ignore it; or offer your own version in return.
Salman Rushdie
You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic.
House MD
Who needs a meaning anyway, I'd settle anyday for a very fine view.
Sandy Denny
This is the wrong forum for bluffing
Paco
Yes, yes. But first I need to show you this venomous fish!
Calilasseia
I think we should do whatever Pawiz wants.
Twoflower
Bella squats momentarily then waddles on still peeing, like a horse
Millefleur
Salman Rushdie
You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic.
House MD
Who needs a meaning anyway, I'd settle anyday for a very fine view.
Sandy Denny
This is the wrong forum for bluffing
Paco
Yes, yes. But first I need to show you this venomous fish!
Calilasseia
I think we should do whatever Pawiz wants.
Twoflower
Bella squats momentarily then waddles on still peeing, like a horse
Millefleur
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