On 27 Feb 2002, at 19:46, Kim Borgman wrote:

> One of my biggest additional problem is that IF a new species did
> appear via evolution, a similar one of the opposite sex would have to
> evolve AT THE SAME TIME to propagate the species.  Otherwise it dies
> out and has to evolve again.

As I understand it, the point of departure for an evolutionary
advance occurs (or can only be traced back to) a female.  Her
offspring all give rise to the the new species by breeding with the
previous version while producing offspring with the new trait.

In point of fact most genetic mutations are deadly to the possessor
and never get passed on.  Of that small number that are not
immediately fatal the vast majority are virtually indedectable by the
rest of the population.  In fact any new genetic trait probably
remains evolutionarily dormant in the population for considerable
periods of time (on average) until some external effect brings the
advantages of the trait to the forefront.

The critical issue in evolution is the culling process.  To
predominate to the point of forming a new species a new trait
MUST provide a statistically significant survival or reproductive
advantage to the possessor, otherwise the trait simply remains a
benign inheritable characteristic like brown eyes, curly hair, or long
fingers.  In short a new trait doesn't go away but it doesn't
immediately create an identifibly new species either.

Another consideration is that once a trait becomes important then
the breeding pool needs to be sufficiently small that the new trait
can be spread throughout the entire group within a few generations.
 Otherwise continual crossbreeding with individuals without the trait
would act to inhibit its ascension.

Regards,
Jim
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