Evolution's Poker Hand

TechCentralStation ^ | May 31 2005 | Kenneth Silber

[ConsentofGoverned]

well said , I will have plenty of time to see if evolution holds up as main engine of diversity of life - but those monkeys typing away over millions of years surely they have a shot at something great. Thanks for your discussion on a very polarizing subject..Peace thru strength.

[AntiBurr]

I stand corrected.

[Condorman]

we are talking about basically similar salamanders here (ring) not interbreeding from what i can deduct due to not changes in morphology of physical characteristics such as sex organs but in habit of mating.

i can understand those who would propose this ring data shows evolution - it well may- but you do not have a mule at the far end of the ring you still have a salamander with unique breeding habits.

what am i missing??

The fact that these two populations are reproductively isolated.

  C - D
 /     \
B       E
 \     /
  A | F

A breeds with B, B breeds with C, C breeds with D, D breeds with E, E breeds with F, but A and F do not breed.

They are still technically classified as a single species, but incremental changes along the continuum have accumulated to the point that the ends of the ring function as separate species. Each end is free to drift (genetically speaking) independently of the other. What difference does it make if they don't breed because of coloration or sex organs or a funky mating dance? They are now separate and will in all likelihood continue to diverge.