The Giraffe's Short Neck (Lamarckian, Darwinian, Neo Darwinian or Something Else?)

The Nature Institute ^ | 2003 | Craig Holdrege

[jwalsh07]

"The idea that the giraffe got its long neck due to food shortages in the lower reaches of trees seems almost self-evident. The giraffe is taller than all other mammals, can feed where no others can, and therefore has a distinct advantage. It seems compelling to say that the long neck and legs developed in relation to this advantage. Why else would the giraffe be so tall? You find this view presented in children's books, in web descriptions of the giraffe, and in textbooks."

"But just because this explanation is widespread does not mean it is true. In fact, this "self-evident" explanation retains its ability to convince only as long as we do not get too involved in the actual biological and ecological details. Various scientists have noticed that this elegant picture of giraffe evolution dissolves under closer scrutiny. Here are a few examples of my and their objections:"

[jwalsh07]

Ichenoumon and I were discussing giraffes briefly on another thread. I'm killing a little time so I thought I'd google giraffes. Found this and I offer it up for discussion.

Gouging, biting, hair pulling OK. Nothing below the belt.

[jwalsh07]

Short neck or long neck?

[Congressman Billybob]

Absolutely fascinating. Thank you for posting this.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, "NASCAR Lessons for Democrats"

[Rocky]

The evolutionary biologist Dobzhansky's famous statement that "nothing in biology can be understood except in light of evolution" is a grand claim, which I believe is, in the end, true. But we have a lot of work to do before we get there, and we should not be satisfied with short-cut evolutionary "explanations."

Keep the faith. Look for evidence. Sharpen the theories. Until you "arrive", continue to proclaim the assumptions as truth because you believe, in the end, that it is true. Call it science. Keep the faith.

[hole_n_one]

She overlooked the saliva soaked Barbie dolls, but now,
Mrs. Geoffrey Giraffe (right) has finally had enough
and has filed for divorce from the Toys R Us mascot.

[jwalsh07]

You're welcome BillyBob

[jwalsh07]

Short neck or Long? :-}

[Oztrich Boy]

So, even without growing taller, the giraffe ancestor could have competed on even terms for those lower leaves.

Natural Selection isn't about competing on even terms.

[Torie]

The beast has a long neck because it developed long legs to run away, and thus needs the long neck to reach the ground. I gave Darwin a ring, and that's what he told me.

[jwalsh07]

Why does an increase in body size in a time of scarce food get selected?

[jwalsh07]

The beast has a long neck because it developed long legs to run away, and thus needs the long neck to reach the ground.

LOL, a dead giveaway, you did't read the article.

[Torie]

I did read it actually. After the beast got long legs, the lions learned to run faster. It is kind of like a NASCAR race.

[jwalsh07]

Pretty funny.

[jwalsh07]

What's wrong with this picture? :-}

[Tribune7]

Here' s the real answer!

[Torie]

The neck has not fully evolved, silly.

[jwalsh07]

I feel like the family outcast, I can't get the PatPack interested in my thread. But at least you and BillyBob showed up. :-}

[Torie]

It's too subtle for them. You are on a convergence/preplanned jihad for the week (I see the pattern everywhere in the fixed number of phyla, giraffes, cell elaboration and speciation explosion in truncated period, etc), and the pack really hasn't engaged on that, or understood that giraffes are part of the Walsh offensive operation on this. You see, specialists sometimes are at a disadvantage vis a vis generalists who do a lot of reading. They appear to become more and more like individual trees, and less and less like the forest. And of course, some are just ersatz specialists who have made an a priori leap. I have made one as well, but then I readily admit it. I'm so into confession that I should be an honorary Catholic or something.

The evos are lucky to have you. You make them think, or at least it should make them think. So says the lottery ticket guy.

[deadhead]

"Short neck or long neck?

Did you ask Meggie? Whatever she says, that's my answer ;-)

[jwalsh07]

Very funny DH.