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Author Topic:   Does microevolution logically include macroevolution?
Dr Jack
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Posts: 3514
From: Immigrant in the land of Deutsch
Joined: 07-14-2003
Member Rating: 8.4


Message 3 of 195 (217091)
06-15-2005 10:08 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by robinrohan
06-13-2005 2:36 PM


I can't see any inherent contradiction in the view that organisms exist in what are, essentially, viable islands in the sea of possible genomes. So that a cat, for example, could evolve to be bigger, smaller, more aggressive or blacker but not evolve into an aquatic mammal akin to a seal because there exists no gradual pathway between the two possible organisms.
Of course the evidence contradicts this view; but I can't see any logical reason it couldn't be that way.

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 Message 1 by robinrohan, posted 06-13-2005 2:36 PM robinrohan has replied

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 Message 6 by robinrohan, posted 06-15-2005 10:45 AM Dr Jack has replied

  
Dr Jack
Member
Posts: 3514
From: Immigrant in the land of Deutsch
Joined: 07-14-2003
Member Rating: 8.4


Message 8 of 195 (217121)
06-15-2005 11:15 AM
Reply to: Message 6 by robinrohan
06-15-2005 10:45 AM


The view that the existing lifeforms exist in seperated pools of viability with the posible genomes. I.e. that there is no possible pass path between an animal and a very different sort of animal (clearly we're not talking about a cat evolving into a seal, 'cos that isn't what evolution proposses, but that a cat could evolve into something like a seal).
The evidence overwhelming supports a strong evolutionary position that all life on earth evolved from a tiny number of common ancestors (probably, but not yet certainly, one) and, in particular, that all birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians share a common ancestor.

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 Message 6 by robinrohan, posted 06-15-2005 10:45 AM robinrohan has replied

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 Message 9 by robinrohan, posted 06-15-2005 11:32 AM Dr Jack has replied

  
Dr Jack
Member
Posts: 3514
From: Immigrant in the land of Deutsch
Joined: 07-14-2003
Member Rating: 8.4


Message 11 of 195 (217137)
06-15-2005 11:40 AM
Reply to: Message 9 by robinrohan
06-15-2005 11:32 AM


So given enough time, anything can evolve into anything, I guess.
Depends on what you mean by that. Given time anything can evolve to fit pretty much any niche (assuming the right conditions/competition/etc.) but an aquatic filter feeder evolved from a penguin is not going to be a whale.
But would you say that microevolution automatically leads to macroevolution--unless, of course, a life form dies out?
I dislike the terms micro and macro evolution they're too sloppily defined. But yes, I'd say it does. But that's not the same thing as saying it must; which is why proving the occurance of microevolution is not enough to demonstrate the whole theory of evolution.

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