TED演讲:为什么有这么多昆虫存在(1)

 　　If insects suddenly morphed into large beings, and decided¹ to wage war on us, there's no doubt that humans would lose. 如果有一天，所有的昆虫突然都变大了并且要和我们开战，那我们人类必输无疑。

　　We'd simply be crushed by their sheer numbers. 我们会轻易地败给它们庞大的数量。

　　There are an estimated 10 quintillion individual insects on Earth. 据估计，地球上有一千亿亿个昆虫个体。

　　That's a one followed by 19 zeroes. 就是1后面有19个零。

　　So, compared with our population of about 7 billion, these invertebrates² outnumber us by more than a billion to one. 人类人口是70亿，这些无脊椎动物的数量与我们相比是十亿比一。

　　Their astounding³ numbers exist at the species level, as well. 它们惊世骇俗的数量也在物种层面有所体现。

　　There are more than 60,000 vertebrate species on the planet. 地球上有超过六万种脊椎动物。

　　But the class of insects contains a million known species, and many others that haven't been classified. 但是昆虫纲包括了一百万种已知的物种以及许多还未被分类的物种。

　　In fact, these critters make up approximately 75% of all animals on Earth. 事实上，这些生物大约占据了地球上75%的动物数量。

　　So, what's their secret to success? 那么，它们如此大量的秘诀是什么？

　　Insect abundance comes down to many things that together make them some of the most adaptable⁴ and resilient creatures, 昆虫的巨大数量归因于许多方面，这些因素使得昆虫成为适应性最强、最有弹性的生物，

　　beginning with their impressive ability to breed. 第一条就是它们极强的繁育能力。

　　Many species can produce hundreds of offspring within their lifetimes. 许多种类的昆虫在一生中可以繁育出上百个后代。

　　Most offspring will die, but more than enough will survive into adulthood⁵ to reproduce. 大多数幼虫会死亡，但存活下来并长成成虫继续繁育的幼虫数量足以保证这个物种繁衍生息。

　　Offspring also mature very rapidly, so the cycle of reproduction resumes quickly, and can occur over and over again in a short time. 幼虫的生长速度也非常快，所以一个繁衍周期的轮回很快，在短时间内可以一遍又一遍地循环。

　　These numbers mean that as a class, insects harbor a tremendous amount of genetic⁶ diversity. 这些数字说明了昆虫纲拥有非常丰富的遗传多样性。

　　The different species contain a wealth of genetic data 不同的物种有着大量的基因组，

　　that give them the necessary adaptations they need to thrive in a range of environments across the planet. 使得它们能获得在世界各种生存环境中得以繁衍生息所需的适应能力。

　　Even some of the most extreme environments are in bounds; 即使是一些最恶劣的环境也在它们的承受范围之内

　　Flat bark beetles⁷ can live at -40 degrees Fahrenheit⁸, 扁甲虫可以在-40°F（-40°C）的环境中生存，

　　Sahara Desert ants can venture out when surface temperatures exceed 155 degrees, 撒哈拉沙漠蚁在地表温度超过155°F（68°C）时还能活动自如，

　　and some bumblebees can survive 18,000 feet above sea level. 一些黄蜂甚至可以在18000英尺（5486米）的地区生存。

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 invertebrates   

n.无脊椎动物( invertebrate的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Insects and worms are all invertebrates. 昆虫和蠕虫都是无脊椎动物。 来自辞典例句
• In the earthworm and many other invertebrates, these excretory structures are called nephridia. 在蚯蚓和许多其它无脊椎动物中，这些排泄结构称为肾管。 来自辞典例句

3 astounding   

adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词)

参考例句：

• There was an astounding 20% increase in sales. 销售量惊人地增加了20%。
• The Chairman's remarks were so astounding that the audience listened to him with bated breath. 主席说的话令人吃惊，所以听众都屏息听他说。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 adaptable   

adj.能适应的，适应性强的，可改编的

参考例句：

• He is an adaptable man and will soon learn the new work.他是个适应性很强的人，很快就将学会这种工作。
• The soil is adaptable to the growth of peanuts.这土壤适宜于花生的生长。

5 adulthood   

n.成年，成人期

参考例句：

• Some infantile actions survive into adulthood.某些婴儿期的行为一直保持到成年期。
• Few people nowadays are able to maintain friendships into adulthood.如今很少有人能将友谊维持到成年。

6 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

7 beetles   

n.甲虫( beetle的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Beetles bury pellets of dung and lay their eggs within them. 甲壳虫把粪粒埋起来，然后在里面产卵。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This kind of beetles have hard shell. 这类甲虫有坚硬的外壳。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

8 Fahrenheit   

n./adj.华氏温度；华氏温度计(的)

参考例句：

• He was asked for the boiling point of water in Fahrenheit.他被问到水的沸点是华氏多少度。
• The thermometer reads 80 degrees Fahrenheit.寒暑表指出华氏80度。