At 03:57 PM 9/22/98 -0400, Rol Fessenden wrote:
>I am probably missing a subtle point here, and you probably know a lot
>more about this than i do. however, in "The Beak of the Finch" there are
>well-documented stories of evolving physical characteristics that are in
>response to the need to use available resources -- food -- effectively.
>No competition was involved, but evolution occurred.
I think maybe you're not understanding the nature of the competition?
Individuals that are able to use food more effectively are competing with
individuals that are not. The former individuals tend to pass on their
genes more, so the population adapts as the genes for more efficient use
of resources become more common. That is the fundamental process of
natural selection.
Nick
--Nick Arnett <listbot@mccmedia.com>
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