[scripter]

What is the evolutionary explanation. The text at the source says "He is reported to have a 4in 'tail' caused by genetic mutations during the development of the foetus."

[VadeRetro]

What is the evolutionary explanation. The text at the source says "He is reported to have a 4in 'tail' caused by genetic mutations during the development of the foetus."

Just a wild guess from a B.S. in Psychology, 1972: the mutation turned on his existing tail vertebrae genes. Do you know you have the gene to synthesize vitamin C but it's disabled by another slice of genetic code somewhere?

[VadeRetro]

Click here.

From an "Evo-Devo" Lecture Series.

The point being that turning genes off can be an advance. Sometimes they're only turned off in specific locations, so they're still sensitive to natural selection.