RE: Homology: "A word ripe for burning"?

Kevin L. O'Brien (klob@lamar.colostate.edu)
Sun, 20 Sep 1998 19:28:58 -0600

Stephen Jones wrote: "If that is the case, then how do evolutionists know
from the fossil which fossils descended from which? They may look outwardly
very similar but if their genes were available and their developmental
pathways known, it might be discovered that in fact they were not closely
related by descent and their similarities were mere analogies."

That's an interesting comment, because a group of ornithologists have used
gene sequences to test phylogenetic relationships among tropical birds
established by morphological features. In a few cases they found some
species that had been closely linked morphologically but genetically were
shown to be examples of convergent evolution. But in the vast majority of
cases the genetic sequences verified the morphologically established
phylogenetic relationships.

I will provide some references on Monday.

Kevin L. O'Brien

"Good God, consider yourselves fortunate that you have John Adams to abuse,
for no sane man would tolerate it!" William Daniels, _1776_