srweaver what is the prototype mammal, from which all others descended?
The theory of evolution is not tailored to provide a specific answer to those questions.
Why not? What good is a theory that can't be used to predict something like that?
Metmom -- I think you like the debate more than anything. I *know* you are more intelligent and learned than that. You have tipped your hand in the past.
A theory is not evaluated on its usefulness. It is evaluated on its ability to explain phenomenon.
Once you have a workable explanation that fits all the proper criteria of a theory, you can begin to formulate ways to utilize it. But you build the foundation, then figure out its practical applicability later.
TToE can predict some general behavior. But even with the super computers of today we can't predict the path of evolution. Just like they have great theories of meteorology and can't predict a single hurricane more than a week or so in advance. And the number of variables in Evolution DWARF the number of variables in meteorology/climatology.