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From: bpvanstr@yoho.uwaterloo.ca (Brian Van Straalen)
Subject: Re: Evolution of Species
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References: <WHIPP.95Sep25150159@psupw22.roborough.gpsemi.COM> <447nh4$b23@gap.cco.caltech.edu>
Date: Wed, 27 Sep 1995 03:11:36 GMT
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In article <447nh4$b23@gap.cco.caltech.edu>,
Chris Adami <adami@rigel.krl.caltech.edu> wrote:
>In article <WHIPP.95Sep25150159@psupw22.roborough.gpsemi.COM>,
>Dave Whipp x3368 <whipp@roborough.gpsemi.COM> wrote:
>>A couple of days ago I was visited by door-to-door
>>religious people. On the creation vs evolution
>>argument they claimed that the evoltion of a new
>>species had never been observed (in blife).
>>
>>Is this true?
>
Well, I might be wrong, but the rate of evolution/selection/adaption/mutation
are all significantly higher for micro-organisms.  If we wished to hear
about new species, I think that is unreasonable to ask about mammal evolution
(which takes thousands of years at best), except maybe the Galapogus finches
(which could yield hard proof in my lifetime).  We might better ask about
insect or smaller fauna.  I don't think it's unreasonable to find a case
of a bacteria evolving over a week in a lab, subject to selective pressure
and high reproductive rates (toss in a little radiation for good measure).
(How many times must E.Coli mutate and change before we stop bothering
to call it E.Coli ? ).  I don't know the answer myself, but if someone
could aska microbiologist to clear this question up that would be nice.

What about plant species ? r

Brian Van Straalen

