【中英對照】國家地理雜誌2009年十大新聞

?Top Ten Discoveries of 2009: Nat Geo News's Most Viewed

。 2009年美國國家地理雜誌最受歡迎的報導包括：巨口鯊、巨蛇、頭部透明的魚及重見世面的稀有鳥類－但牠最後被人類抓來果腹。?

編譯? ∣? 廖大賢

10. Ultra-Rare Megamouth Shark Found, Eaten
極稀有巨口鯊成盤中飧

In March, the 41st megamouth shark ever found went from swimming in Philippine waters to simmering in coconut milk.
世界第41尾巨口鯊於三月在菲律賓海域捕獲，最後成了椰奶燉湯。

9. Ancient Gem-Studded Teeth Show Skill of Early Dentists
古代牙醫用寶石填補牙齒

The glittering "grills" of some hip-hop stars aren't exactly unprecedented. Sophisticated dentistry allowed Native Americans to add bling to their teeth as far back as 2,500 years ago, a May study said.

某些嘻哈歌手有一嘴珠光寶氣的牙齒，但他們可不是始作俑者。五月一篇研究說美洲的原住民在2500年前就懂得用寶石來填補牙齒，展現進步的牙醫技術。

8. Alien Giant Snakes Threaten to Invade Up to 1/3 of U.S.
外來巨蛇危機！美國三分之一國土遭入侵

Nine giant snakes could be on the verge of causing ecological catastrophe if they establish themselves in the U.S. wild—at least two have already set up shop in Florida—according to an October report.
十月的報導表示，如果外來的九條巨蛇在野外繁殖，可能造成美國的生態危機。至少有兩條已在佛羅里達野外繁殖。

7. Biggest Snake Discovered; Was Longer Than a Bus
世上最長的蛇：牠比公車還長

The 60-million-year-old reptile was also heavier than a car, scientists said in February, adding that the fossil could shed light on climate change.
一條有6000萬年歷史的巨蛇化石在二月出土，科學家說牠比車還重，並能說明氣候變遷。

6. Gold Rush-Era "Ghost Ship" Wreck Found
發現淘金熱時代的沈船！

With boots thrown hastily on deck and cooking utensils scattered, the last moments of the crew aboard the gold rush-era paddle boat A.J. Goddard are preserved in the ship's recently found wreck, archaeologists announced in
November.
考古學家在十一月宣布，他們發現淘金熱時代的沈船A.J.Goddard號，甲板上散落著靴子與炊具，記錄了船員罹難前的時刻。

5. Oldest Skeleton of Human Ancestor Found
最古老的人類骸骨

There was never a chimp-like missing link between humans and today's apes, according to an October fossil-skeleton study that could rewrite human evolutionary history. Said one scientist, "It changes everything."
十月的化石遺骸研討會表示，人類與黑猩猩間從來就沒有類人猿的失落之環（達爾文進化論所無法證明的過渡物種），此發現並可能改寫人類演化史。科學家說：「這發現會改變一切。」

4. "Extinct" Bird Seen, Eaten
目擊「絕種」鳥類成下酒菜

Long believed to be extinct, a rare quail from the Philippines was photographed for the first time ever—then sold at a poultry market, experts said in February.
大家一直以為絕種的稀有鵪鶉二月在菲律賓首次有人拍攝到，但牠最後在市場上售出。

3. New Cloud Type Discovered?
新類型的雲？

Nicknamed "Jacques Cousteau" clouds, these "turbulent" seas in the sky could be examples of the first official new cloud type since 1951, experts said in June.
專家於六月表示，別名「賈克庫斯托」（譯者按：法國海洋學家）的雲，是自1951年來首次發現的新型態雲類，它在天空翻湧猶如大海。

2. Fish With Transparent Head Seen Alive for First Time
新發現！頭部透明的魚！

Perhaps the most bizarre nature discovery of the year—though Stephen Colbert put it a bit less delicately—a Pacific barreleye fish shows off its transparent head and barrel-like eyes in pictures released on February of the first specimen ever found alive.
雖然Stephen Colbert用字沒那麼優雅，說牠可能是今年自然界最醜怪的發現，但這隻太平洋大鰭後肛魚的確有透明的頭與槍管般的眼睛。二月公開的照片是首次發現到的樣本。

1. "Missing Link" Found: Fossil Connects Humans, Lemurs?
找到「失落之環」：狐猴的化石？

The 47-million-year-old, exceptionally preserved primate fossil "Ida," unveiled on May 20, was hailed by some as a major discovery in human evolution.
今年五月出土的化石「伊達」有4700萬年的歷史，保存異常完好，有些人並奉之為人類演化的重要發現。

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■ 本系列文章由台大外文系廖大賢同學提供。圖片為國家地理雜誌所有，僅供教育參考用途，勿另行轉載。

責任編輯：MissZoe