> > > > TH:-
> > > > IMO what came first the chicken or the egg - is the
> > > > wrong question.

> > > PF:-
> > > Nevertheless, it can't be too wrong since "the
egg" is the right
> > > answer. :-)

> > JE:-
> > No, they evolved simultaneously. At no
> > time did one precede the other. This
> > is the hard bit to understand.

> PF:- 
> John,
> Autonomous cells (proto-eggs) preceded cooperative cell-clusters that
> preceded still more complex chickens. 
> Catch my cognition if you can and care. :-)

JE:-
Autonomous cells (proto-eggs) were 
"chickens", i.e. were _independent_
units of selection. Eggs remain
_dependent__ units of selection.
Chickens and eggs are selected 
as the one nested fitness set  where
the fitness of the egg is selected
at the fertile chicken, fitness
level of selection.

Regards,

John Edser
Independent Researcher

PO Box 266
Church Pt
NSW 2105
Australia

edser{at}tpg.com.au
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