From: John Beckett 

"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.

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.

Any comments?

John

--- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-5