[gomaaa]

Refer to #960.

Natural Selection operates on a competitive basis. If Two species are competing for the same resources and one has a clear advantage, it will gradually force the other to extinction. If there is no real competition, there is no need for any selective pressure and the species doesn't change much. The Nautalis (sp?) has remained largely unchanged for millions of years, since it occupies a specific niche that has so far gone unchallenged in the ocean ecosystem. The general form of the mosquito is succesful and while it HAS evolved countless times from its forbears, it's general structure remains since nothing better has presented itself.

Viruses, as you point out, should evolve quickly, and in fact they do! Every year a new strain of influenza appears that is resistant to antibodies people developed the previous year, so we all go (or SHOULD go) off to get our flu shots. Viruses (Viri?) change all the time, but do not automatically develop into something new, since they occupy a specific ecological niche, that if they were not present would be filled by something else.

The great apes do not need to develop big brains beyond what they have now. They occupy a specific niche in the ecosystem.

I can't count how many times I've heard people indignantly claim that we were not derived from Chimps. We weren't! Chimpanzes and Humans evolved from a common ancestor that may have been more similar to chimps than people, but both species have subsequently evolved into our present forms from that beginning. There is no real reason for chimps to "continue" evolving "up" the ladder. No ladder exists. They are unchallenged in their present ecological niche and as such can remain pretty much as they are until the envionmental situation changes. Survival of the fittest does not mean the smartest. Just who can reproduce the fastest. Chimps have no problems reproducing, hence, let them be chimps!

Evolutionary superiority is a myth. Only reproductive suitability counts.