Darwin & QDM

[grundsow]

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/ ... ley-text/6

Either way, the explanation leads straight back to Darwin's two theories�natural and sexual selection.
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Intriguingly, the spelling change that causes blue eyes is not in the pigment gene itself, but in a nearby snippet of DNA scripture that controls the gene's expression. This lends support to an idea that is rushing through genetics and evolutionary biology: Evolution works not just by changing genes, but by modifying the way those genes are switched on and off. According to Sean Carroll of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, "The primary fuel for the evolution of anatomy turns out not to be gene changes, but changes in the regulation of genes that control development."
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Perhaps more scientists should have realized this sooner than they did. After all, bodies are not assembled, like machines in factories; they grow and develop, so evolution was always going to be about changing the process of growth rather than specifying the end product of that growth. In other words, a giraffe doesn't have special genes for a long neck. Its neck-growing genes are the same as a mouse's; they may just be switched on for a longer time, so the giraffe ends up with a longer neck.

How do you think this applies to Antler Restrictions? Does AR select for buck with �delayed� antler development?

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[Diehard Hunter]

Re: Darwin & QDM

It could select for bucks with delayed development or against bucks with early fast development.

 

[BSK]

Re: Darwin & QDM

To answer that question, first we will need to understand how the genetics of antler growth actually work. Second, we will need to understand the heritability of the genetic aspects of antler growth. We do not understand either of those yet.

However, damage to the natural evolutionary process is always a real potential anytime we circumvent selection. For instance, it is now virtually impossible for the human species to evolve. We no longer have any selection process at work. Those people with genetically driven predisposition to almost anything that limits life-span and/or reproductive success can be mitigated or cured. Few human traits bow aid in reproductive success. And most powerful of all, we now control and artifically regulate our reproductive success.

 

[BSK]

Re: Darwin & QDM

It could select for bucks with delayed development or against bucks with early fast development.

Evolutionary disruption only occurs if those traits are heritable--passed on to offspring.

 

[Diehard Hunter]

Re: Darwin & QDM

BSK,

You need to add that those individuals in the human population with the least desirable (evolutionarily) traits are catered to and thus they produce offspring with those same traits. In many instances, we have programs that actually cause them to have more offspring.

You could say we are De-evolving

 

[BSK]

Re: Darwin & QDM

BSK,

You need to add that those individuals in the human population with the least desirable (evolutionarily) traits are catered to and thus they produce offspring with those same traits. In many instances, we have programs that actually cause them to have more offspring.

You could say we are De-evolving

Very true.

 

[Diehard Hunter]

Re: Darwin & QDM

It could select for bucks with delayed development or against bucks with early fast development.

Evolutionary disruption only occurs if those traits are heritable--passed on to offspring.

Good point. However, we don't know if they are or are not. Reckon there is some money in the Obama plan for this kind of research?

 

[BSK]

Re: Darwin & QDM

It could select for bucks with delayed development or against bucks with early fast development.

Evolutionary disruption only occurs if those traits are heritable--passed on to offspring.

Good point. However, we don't know if they are or are not. Reckon there is some money in the Obama plan for this kind of research?

Why not? There's obviously money being spent for everything else under the sun in Obama's plan...

And today we find out--just after his conference on "fiscal responsibility"--that his budget plans will increase federal spending by 8.8%...

 

[grundsow]

]To answer that question, first we will need to understand how the genetics of antler growth actually work. Second, we will need to understand the heritability of the genetic aspects of antler growth. We do not understand either of those yet.

We don�t understand enough to even comment on it???

We know that certain antler traits are hereditable, right? And that some are MORE hereditable than others, right? The Koerth & Kroll study identified different antler growth strategies/rates as well. Even though the end size at maturity might go unaltered with AR, the growth RATE trait might be altered with certain AR�s, no?

I mean we know AR can high-grade an age class, couldn�t the remainders in that age class be passing something along that alters the species?

What I found interesting was two that different mechanisms to selection were separated out.

#1 Natural Selection � When certain traits are selected AGAINST in the die-off scenario of the finches which left behind an altered species.

And

#2 Sexual Selection � When certain traits (blue eyes, peacock tail feathers, antlers) are selected FOR.

I didn�t see any mention about the traits we talk about with whitetails like how dominance relates to reproductive success.

 

[BSK]

]To answer that question, first we will need to understand how the genetics of antler growth actually work. Second, we will need to understand the heritability of the genetic aspects of antler growth. We do not understand either of those yet.

We don�t understand enough to even comment on it???

We know that certain antler traits are hereditable, right?

No, not yet. At least not directly expressed heritability from father to son.