Originally posted by EternalOptimist
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A basic misunderstanding of the way evolution works. Species do not change to take advantage of an environment, they do not change to fill a niche that is unoccupied. They do not change for any reason. Evolution does not happen when 'some advantage in the prevailing environment' is offered.
Evolution happens because species throw up wild variations, exaggerated traits or mutations. If these new creatures are successful they will breed more like themselves, if they are more successful than the precursors, they may well survive an event when the precursors do not. This is what we see in the fossil record when species die out and are replaced by others.
The reason why sharks and crocs are still around is that they are so blooming well fitted, its almost impossible for a variation, exaggeration or mutation to be better fitted.
Evolution happens because species throw up wild variations, exaggerated traits or mutations. If these new creatures are successful they will breed more like themselves, if they are more successful than the precursors, they may well survive an event when the precursors do not. This is what we see in the fossil record when species die out and are replaced by others.
The reason why sharks and crocs are still around is that they are so blooming well fitted, its almost impossible for a variation, exaggeration or mutation to be better fitted.
just-so stories. Fossil record is not adequate to determine if species have died out.
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