http://zoide.net/auriculabovinari/fitness The taxonomy view with a depth of 0. en http://zoide.net/evolution-making Australians have a problem with rabbits.<br />They built a fence to stop the spread. Bunnies die of hunger, as they are unable to cross it.<br />Now, an evolutionary dilemma:<br /><br />How to evolve?<br />A small mutation could make a male rabbit jump higher and up the fence.<br />Another could make a female rabbit grow teeth to cut barbwires.*<br />But, in all likelihood, the offspring of this putative rabbit couple will lose the mutations. Pure statistics.<br /><br />Conclusion:<br />Imposing fitness doesn't alone create function.<br /><br />So: adaptation doesn't work under pressure.**<br /><br />How is that for counter intuitive.<br /><br />*Even with the assumption that the step of evolution in these two cases is possible.<br />** More (and better) on this: 'Spandrels of San Marcos', by Stephan J. Gould and Richard Lewontin (1978). http://zoide.net/evolution-making#comments evolution fitness mutation selection variability Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:46:00 +0100 337 at http://zoide.net