Joined: Sep. 2006
|Quote (Daniel Smith @ Nov. 12 2007,22:59)|
|Quote (mitschlag @ Nov. 12 2007,14:07)|
|The evolution of the horse:|
No gradualism here, nossir. All saltational, yessir.
Fig. 4 from Davison's Manifesto.
The horse is used as an example of evolution in a determined direction - not as an example of saltational change. The caption reads: "Phyletic size increase in the horse". and is used in the section entitled "Are there laws governing evolution?"
I am well aware of the way Davison was using his Fig. 4. I quoted it sarcastically for the purpose of showing that the data make the case for gradualism.
Understood. Interesting ideas. Any reason to accept them without cocking a skeptical eye and asking for some confirmatory evidence?.
|Davison (and Schindewolf before him) saw evolution of new types as a saltational event. What followed was a series of constrained variations within that type which usually resulted in over-specialization and extinction. Oversized organisms were often a sign of this last stage.|
You underestimate my reading comprehension, Dan. Now please let go of my leg.
|Did the fact that this illustration was Schindewolf's own - from his book "Basic Questions in Paleontology" - escape you?|
"You can establish any “rule” you like if you start with the rule and then interpret the evidence accordingly." - George Gaylord Simpson (1902-1984)