Thread: An Evolution Question as Well...

I ws going to post this in the thread below me, but i was worried i would be blamed for hijacking someones thread.

My question is very simple: Have we ever observed evolution, in the sense we have objectively watched a prokaryote or Eukaryote evolve into something either more or less complex? I know we have prokaryote systems, so have we seen one of them transmutate into something more complex?

I recommend you start with some reading:

29 Evidences for Macroevolution

Observed Instances of Speciation

More Observed Speciation Events

The simple answer is yes, we have most certainly observed evolution in our lifetimes in many species, but large-scale complex changes take much larger time scales, and require the right environmental conditions. Our planet is currently quite full of eurkyotes - not a lot of niches left for the generation of new eukaryotic-like organisms that won't be quickly filled by existing eukaryotes.

Originally Posted by paralith

I recommend you start with some reading:

29 Evidences for Macroevolution

Observed Instances of Speciation

More Observed Speciation Events

The simple answer is yes, we have most certainly observed evolution in our lifetimes in many species, but large-scale complex changes take much larger time scales, and require the right environmental conditions. Our planet is currently quite full of eurkyotes - not a lot of niches left for the generation of new eukaryotic-like organisms that won't be quickly filled by existing eukaryotes.

So, evoluton is no longer a theory, but a proven fact? I will read the links, thanks!!

Originally Posted by Manynames

I ws going to post this in the thread below me, but i was worried i would be blamed for hijacking someones thread.

My question is very simple: Have we ever observed evolution, in the sense we have objectively watched a prokaryote or Eukaryote evolve into something either more or less complex? I know we have prokaryote systems, so have we seen one of them transmutate into something more complex?

change in complexity isn't evolution. It only sometimes is.

Ring species of salamanders in California is a perfect example of speciation that is taking place right now.

Originally Posted by spuriousmonkey

Originally Posted by Manynames

I ws going to post this in the thread below me, but i was worried i would be blamed for hijacking someones thread.

My question is very simple: Have we ever observed evolution, in the sense we have objectively watched a prokaryote or Eukaryote evolve into something either more or less complex? I know we have prokaryote systems, so have we seen one of them transmutate into something more complex?

change in complexity isn't evolution. It only sometimes is.

Though, mind you my friend, i did also add something less complex...

Originally Posted by Manynames

Originally Posted by spuriousmonkey

Originally Posted by Manynames

I ws going to post this in the thread below me, but i was worried i would be blamed for hijacking someones thread.

My question is very simple: Have we ever observed evolution, in the sense we have objectively watched a prokaryote or Eukaryote evolve into something either more or less complex? I know we have prokaryote systems, so have we seen one of them transmutate into something more complex?

change in complexity isn't evolution. It only sometimes is.

Though, mind you my friend, i did also add something less complex...

Even a single-celled modern eukaryote is a good deal more complex at the cellular level than a prokaryote.

Originally Posted by Manynames

Originally Posted by paralith

I recommend you start with some reading:

29 Evidences for Macroevolution

Observed Instances of Speciation

More Observed Speciation Events

The simple answer is yes, we have most certainly observed evolution in our lifetimes in many species, but large-scale complex changes take much larger time scales, and require the right environmental conditions. Our planet is currently quite full of eurkyotes - not a lot of niches left for the generation of new eukaryotic-like organisms that won't be quickly filled by existing eukaryotes.

So, evoluton is no longer a theory, but a proven fact? I will read the links, thanks!!

Might I add to your reading list:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evoluti...heory_and_fact

Evolutions has been regarded as both for many many years.

Originally Posted by Manynames

So, evoluton is no longer a theory, but a proven fact? I will read the links, thanks!!

A theory is a collection of related facts, connected by a framework of laws. It's been a "proven fact", in as much as that exists in science, for a very very long time.

The wikilink above explains better.

Originally Posted by TheBiologista

Originally Posted by Manynames

So, evoluton is no longer a theory, but a proven fact? I will read the links, thanks!!

A theory is a collection of related facts, connected by a framework of laws. It's been a "proven fact", in as much as that exists in science, for a very very long time.

The wikilink above explains better.

Thank you Bio, and everyone previously!

Originally Posted by Manynames

Originally Posted by spuriousmonkey

Originally Posted by Manynames

I ws going to post this in the thread below me, but i was worried i would be blamed for hijacking someones thread.

My question is very simple: Have we ever observed evolution, in the sense we have objectively watched a prokaryote or Eukaryote evolve into something either more or less complex? I know we have prokaryote systems, so have we seen one of them transmutate into something more complex?

change in complexity isn't evolution. It only sometimes is.

Though, mind you my friend, i did also add something less complex...

You have, but change in complexity doesn't exclude the concept of a trend towards less complexity.

Mostly the complexity stays the same. Humans now aren't more or less complex than the humans of a thousand years ago.

There was an article in Scientific American a few years ago about African cichlid fishes. It mentions one population which, over a period of 100 years, observed by successive biologists, became reproductively separated from its parent population. Over that time, both colour pattern and behaviour changed, and now it will not breed with members of the original population, which is a definition of a separate species.

Originally Posted by skeptic

There was an article in Scientific American a few years ago about African cichlid fishes. It mentions one population which, over a period of 100 years, observed by successive biologists, became reproductively separated from its parent population. Over that time, both colour pattern and behaviour changed, and now it will not breed with members of the original population, which is a definition of a separate species.

It is true I had to read two of the research journals about it for a class.