RE: Swallows Seem To Be Evolving to Avoid Cars
March 23, 2013 at 7:39 am
(This post was last modified: March 23, 2013 at 7:42 am by Napoléon.)
(March 23, 2013 at 7:30 am)Aractus Wrote: No one has demonstrated that the shorter wings are a newly developed feature or a new gene, or anything of the sort. They've simply observed that there are swallows with shorter wings that appear to have increased survivability in urban areas.
And the increased survivability will lead to those swallows spreading their genes more than swallows with larger wings which will lead to the next generation having shorter wings and so on and so on.
Over time the swallows will have shorter wings than now.
By my understanding, whilst this is not the greatest evolutionary leap to be sure, it's still an example of evolution.
Quote:You're making a mockery of science if you truly think you can use this as an "example of evolution" - without clear evidence that what you're observing is actually NEW and DEVELOPING.
The evidence is right in front of you. Use your eyes and see what is happening to these birds. I can't help you if you want to shake your head and go "nope".
Again this is the same thing we hear from creationists who are in denial of evolution. Are you expecting to find a swallow give birth to a blue tit? Evolution is gradual, you won't find 'clear evidence' from one generation to the next. But from my understanding of evolution the more generations of change you have the more obvious the evidence for it becomes.
Now there's clear change that is being demonstrated here, and while yes, I can't say it's undeniable proof that evolution is happening, I'd still say it's pretty fucking obvious that it is.
But whatever, continue being a pedantic ass.
(March 23, 2013 at 7:38 am)Aractus Wrote: Not at all. The article linked to is completely laughable as far as scientific credibility goes, I don't know why you're defending it.
Since when did anyone claim it was a scientifically published journal piece you twat.
I'm personally defending it because it looks to me like an obvious form of evolution in action. You say that this particular group of birds is not demonstrated to be developing, I think the article at the very least contradicts this.
