Re: [asa] random evolution

The actual paper reveals even more fascinating concepts of the
relevance of development and environmental constraints on 'direction'
in evolution. Ruse and others have argued that such constraints can
give a teleological aspect to evolution

<quote>

Processes Underlying a Biased Evolutionary Pattern

Biases can have two causes: (1) selection and (2)
selection-independent constraints that might result from the
relationship between genotype and phenotype (often called
''developmental constraints,'' ''developmental bias'' [51],
''genetic/epigenetic constraints'' [52], or ''reproductive
constraints'' [53]) or from a bias in the introduction of variation
[54]. The conceptual as well as epistemological distinction between
selection and selection-independent constraints remains difficult (see
e.g., [51–53, 55–57]).
</quote>

and

<quote>
In conclusion, our study shows that evolution of vulva development is
strongly biased and only few aspects are likely to change in an
unconstrained stochastic fashion. Our phylogeny for rhabditid species,
including the model systems C. elegans and P. pacificus, provides a
foundation for evolutionary analyses of other characters as well. If
the patterns that we observed in the vulva system are found more
generally, then most of developmental system drift is driven by
deterministic and not
stochastic processes.
</quote>

Convergent evolution may very well be related to these canalization aspects.

On Nov 22, 2007 2:10 PM, PvM <pvm.pandas@gmail.com> wrote:
> okay, I doubt that most evolutionists whether theists or atheists
> would argue that evolution is random but it is a good reminder for
> those who argue otherwise.
> Interesting study btw and thanks for the heads-up
>
> On Nov 22, 2007 11:44 AM, D. F. Siemens, Jr. <dfsiemensjr@juno.com> wrote:
> > I am simply responding to the reports that have been given, the usage of
> > some of the folks on the list. As a theist, I hold that all in creation
>
> > Dave (ASA)
> >
> >
> > On Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:57:49 -0800 PvM <pvm.pandas@gmail.com> writes:
> > > why would evolution be random?
> > >
> > > On Nov 20, 2007 7:22 PM, D. F. Siemens, Jr. <dfsiemensjr@juno.com>
> > > wrote:
> > > > This reports a study that evolution is not random, at least in
> > > some
> > > > special areas.
> > > >
> > > > http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-11/nyu-eid111907.php
> > > >
> > > > Dave
> > > >
> > > > To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@calvin.edu with
> > > > "unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>

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Received on Thu Nov 22 18:12:28 2007