Question for evolutionary scientists:

Praxis101 · #1 01-10-2007, 06:17 PM

Has a species ever eradicated itself?

Do species' environments tend to eradicate them, or would it be the species' responsibility, itself?

madnak · #2 01-10-2007, 06:54 PM

I don't think responsibility really enters into it. In general, however, speciation occurs as individuals become better adapted to a particular environment. Given that, if the environment doesn't change the species is likely to remain well-adapted. Therefore, I imagine that extinction is typically driven by environmental change.

reb · #3 01-10-2007, 06:54 PM

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Has a species ever eradicated itself?

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We humans are at least making an effort to.

Praxis101 · #4 01-10-2007, 07:01 PM

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Has a species ever eradicated itself?

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We humans are at least making an effort to.

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Or does it only appear that way?

I suppose the evidence is all that matters.

Praxis101 · #5 01-10-2007, 07:06 PM

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I don't think responsibility really enters into it. In general, however, speciation occurs as individuals become better adapted to a particular environment. Given that, if the environment doesn't change the species is likely to remain well-adapted. Therefore, I imagine that extinction is typically driven by environmental change.

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Sounds reasonable.
Makes me scurred of global warming too [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

hmkpoker · #6 01-10-2007, 07:39 PM

It happens all the time. It's called natural selection.

Praxis101 · #7 01-10-2007, 07:43 PM

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It happens all the time. It's called natural selection.

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I see, and how much responsibility of this natural selection is on the species, itself?

hmkpoker · #8 01-10-2007, 07:44 PM

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I see, and how much responsibility of this natural selection is on the species, itself?

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Does not compute.

vhawk01 · #9 01-10-2007, 08:48 PM

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It happens all the time. It's called natural selection.

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What mechanism of natural selection allows for a species to eradicate itself? I cannot think of any way this is really possible. He specifically said "or is it usually the environment." Its always the environment.

whatnow1080 · #10 01-10-2007, 10:54 PM

Natural selection eliminates species who's traits do not allow them to survive in their environment (e.g. a species that lacks an effective insulating trait that lives in a cold environment). There is no direct mechanism of natural selection responsible for this, its completely dependent on the physical traits of the species and how well it is able to adapt to it niche in a given environment.