Register | Sign In


Understanding through Discussion


EvC Forum active members: 65 (9162 total)
3 online now:
Newest Member: popoi
Post Volume: Total: 915,807 Year: 3,064/9,624 Month: 909/1,588 Week: 92/223 Day: 3/17 Hour: 1/0


Thread  Details

Email This Thread
Newer Topic | Older Topic
  
Author Topic:   On Transitional Species (SUMMATION MESSAGES ONLY)
AustinG
Member (Idle past 5168 days)
Posts: 36
Joined: 04-06-2009


Message 1 of 314 (505014)
04-06-2009 3:06 PM


Opponents to the theory of evolution often point out the lack of transitional fossils/organisms; I believe this is due to a misunderstanding of transitional species.
The theory of evolution argues that all life on earth is continually under change; it is never static. With this in mind, every organism can be seen as transitional. Some animals are more noticeably transitional than others. Alligators, for instance, live both on land and in water. Ostrichs are birds that can not fly and pinguins are birds that have adapted to swim. Are these not excellent examples of transitional organisms?
Please share your arguments for or against this idea and any other comments you may have; however, please stay on topic.
Edited by AustinG, : No reason given.
Edited by Adminnemooseus, : Add the "(Summation Messages Only" to topic title.

Replies to this message:
 Message 3 by pandion, posted 04-06-2009 4:27 PM AustinG has not replied
 Message 4 by kuresu, posted 04-06-2009 4:39 PM AustinG has replied
 Message 29 by Peter, posted 04-10-2009 11:54 AM AustinG has not replied

  
AustinG
Member (Idle past 5168 days)
Posts: 36
Joined: 04-06-2009


Message 6 of 314 (505041)
04-06-2009 8:57 PM
Reply to: Message 4 by kuresu
04-06-2009 4:39 PM


Loose Definition
My use of transitional was a little loose for sure. Thanks for bringing to my attention that transitional has more to do with perspective.
Let me refrase. In the future pinguin fossils could be considered as a transitional form between bird and sea creature.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 4 by kuresu, posted 04-06-2009 4:39 PM kuresu has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 7 by CosmicChimp, posted 04-06-2009 10:17 PM AustinG has not replied

  
AustinG
Member (Idle past 5168 days)
Posts: 36
Joined: 04-06-2009


Message 21 of 314 (505126)
04-07-2009 10:13 PM
Reply to: Message 20 by RAZD
04-07-2009 9:29 PM


Good post RAZD.
Edited by AustinG, : forgot which thread I was on O.o

This message is a reply to:
 Message 20 by RAZD, posted 04-07-2009 9:29 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied

  
AustinG
Member (Idle past 5168 days)
Posts: 36
Joined: 04-06-2009


Message 31 of 314 (505380)
04-10-2009 8:50 PM
Reply to: Message 30 by New Cat's Eye
04-10-2009 12:13 PM


The point here is, that any given organism exhibits transition. Creationists ask "where are the transitional formas". I propose it is logical to conclude that a manitee is transitional (As long as it doesn't become an evolutionary dead end).
I don't want debate about the semantics of the word "transitional". I would like hear from the creationist camp on their thoughts on this argument. Is it not logical to conclude that an ancestor to the manitee began to venture into the ocean for food and now we have a "transitional" organism that is more fully adapted to aquatic life? As long as the manitee doesn't dead end, selection pressures will select for more aquatic features.
Likewise, it is likely they the Golopagos Iguana is transitional to a later more aquatic reptile
The legless lizard can be seen as transitional to a snake like creature.
The Ostrich is transition from bird to terrestrial animal.
Pinguins are transitional to a more aquatic animal
Flying squirrels, flying lizards, flying snakes, sirens (salemander with only 2 front legs), Kangaroo mice, beavers, sea otters. These are just the living "transitional" forms.
What about Homo erectus? Anthropologists document that the cranial capacity (how big the brain can get) varies from early Homo erectus (smaller) to later populations (larger). This is an indication of transition within one species. In fact, because of the encephalization and anotomical changes in later Homo eructus, later specimens are almost indistinguishable from early Homo sapians. Some anthropoligists say they are erectus, some say sapien; If this is not evidence of transition. Someone please enlighten me.
Go look this stuff up; not on wikipedia though. Do some actual research and learn anthropology before you claim there are no "transitional" forms.
Notice that I'm not discrediting evidence for intelligent design; I'm giving my own evidence for natural selection/evolution. This is a stance that more folks should take.
Okay, that was a little bit of a ramble, but it felt good.
Comment, complaints, questions?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 30 by New Cat's Eye, posted 04-10-2009 12:13 PM New Cat's Eye has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 32 by Straggler, posted 04-10-2009 8:59 PM AustinG has replied
 Message 35 by pandion, posted 04-11-2009 2:50 AM AustinG has not replied

  
AustinG
Member (Idle past 5168 days)
Posts: 36
Joined: 04-06-2009


Message 33 of 314 (505387)
04-10-2009 10:51 PM
Reply to: Message 32 by Straggler
04-10-2009 8:59 PM


Re: Transitional
quote:
I think he problem with your argument is that you seem to be suggesting an end point which is being sort of predeterminedly aimed at.
No I'm not suggesting that there is an end result, quit the opposite. I'm pointing out that life is never static. Its always on its way to something else; never does an organism cease to change, and never to populations cease to evolve. There is no aiming; I realize this. Evolution is more like water flowing down a mountain; it takes the easiest path to an endless bottom.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 32 by Straggler, posted 04-10-2009 8:59 PM Straggler has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 36 by pandion, posted 04-11-2009 3:03 AM AustinG has not replied

  
Newer Topic | Older Topic
Jump to:


Copyright 2001-2023 by EvC Forum, All Rights Reserved

™ Version 4.2
Innovative software from Qwixotic © 2024