From: Adam 

John Beckett wrote:
> "Rich Gauszka"  wrote in message
> news::
>
>>Microevolution involves small-scale genetic changes in a species over time.
>>The classic example is a color change undergone by British pepper moths in
>>response to changing levels of air pollution. The acquisition of antibiotic
>>resistance by bacteria and the trend towards tusk-less elephants in Africa
>>are also examples of microevolution at work.
>
>
> Interesting piece, but the above para caught my eye. I see by putting
> "define:microevolution" into Google that the above really
are examples of
> microevolution.
>
> However, I recall reading an explanation that the colour changes of the
> British moths were probably not what we traditionally regard as
> "evolution", in that the ability for that moth to be black
or white was
> probably already present in its genes. It was only a small control
> function that needed to be activated to decide what was currently the best
> colour for survival.
>

Such as moth eating birds? Evolution depends on the survivors breeding.

White moth, black background = bird food = no offspring for you my son.

> By contrast, I believe that antibiotic resistance of bacteria really is
> evolution (usually). Random changes to the genes of some bacteria occur,
> and some of those are slightly helpful for surviving mild doses of an
> antibiotic. Similar changes accumulate, and you end up with a truly new
> kind of life.
>

Survival of the fittest & luckiest & death before breeding for the rest.

Or "I am fit & lucky while you are not so I will have more
descendants than you".

Adam

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