Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Heartlander
Huh? Are you suggesting that speciation has never been observed or just asking if it hasn't been observed in this case?
13 posted on 05/28/2002 1:39:44 PM PDT by Dimensio
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies ]


To: Dimensio
Speciation is indeed a real process, but speciation only means that two populations of a particular species can no longer interbreed. The two populations get separated by a geographical barrier such as a mountain range, and after a time they are no longer able to interbreed or to reproduce between themselves.
But all we have really done is split up the gene pool into two different, separate populations; if you want to call them different species, that's fine. But even Darwin's finches, although there are some changes in the shape and size of the bill, are clearly related to one another. Drosophila fruit flies on the Hawaiian Islands-- there are over 300 species--probably originated from one initial species. But they look very much the same. The primary way to distinguish them is by their mating behavior.

You say speciation, I say speculation. Let’s call the whole thing off…

15 posted on 05/28/2002 1:49:42 PM PDT by Heartlander
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson