Evolution in action.

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   sandra rinckposted 14 years ago

   So I just read this article. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 … 104000.htm
   
   I guess you can observe evolution in action after all.  The two birds of the same species, both with black feathers but one with a chestnut belly are dividing into new species.
   
   The article says that when a species stop mating with each other, then effectively they are creating a new species.
   
   Anyways, as you get down to the bottom of the article, it says that the only gene difference in the two birds is a melanin gene, the gene that gives them their different colors.
   
   They are different by only one gene which changed their color which is creating a new species.
   
   Really interesting, you should read it.

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   JonTutorposted 14 years ago

   Sis thats "racism" among birds .... they gotta have a civil rights movement soon.... wait a minute Obama might invite them over for a beer to patch them..... Good link.

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah, I was hoping I wouldn't have to be the one to say it.

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         JonTutorposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Cheers!!! Thirsty birds prefer.... Samuel Adams.

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   Sidney Rayneposted 14 years ago

   It is interesting....
   
   As well...look at the evolutionary time scale and do the math....animals have the ability to evolve at a rate of .93 percent per 100 years in some regard.
   
   When you factor that theory into the number of variances that can occur with simply one gene being substantially different...it is quite amazing that these two birds only have one subtle difference.

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      SoulJon, lil'bro.. 
      
      Sidney,
      
      Yeah, I was smitten by that.  Just one tiny, seemingly insignificant gene.   
      
      I wish the article would have given a possible environmental factor though.  Prolly be much harder to trace.

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   Sidney Rayneposted 14 years ago

   Hell yeah...you factor in environmental conditions as well as any possible mutagens....it would be amazing to see what came up.

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Maybe once we get the air pollution under control the flycathers will morph into giants.

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         Sidney Rayneposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         One can only hope

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   Earthscribeposted 14 years ago

   Great article! It illustrates the transit point I've often pondered -- as in, when is the phase state between species? This bird scenario seems to suggest minimal gene sequence, less than I'd have suspected.

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I know, and it seems that the transition happens much faster than I would have expected.  Well... they just got lucky to see it happening. Amazing!

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