Quick Question

[Cazador]

By no stretch of the imagination could these hybrid be considered transitional forms.

Since we're sharing ideas and not arguing over the correctness of something that matters more in a classroom setting than it does on a forum for hobbiests, I'll play along and suggest that the evolution of species can occur by many different mechanisms... one being when different species hybridize, intergrade, or even when morphs adapt to a different niche within or beyond the range of its parents (phylopatry or allopatry). In these cases, even morphs that begin to assortatively mate would represent a transitional form until they establish reproductive isolation. If one looks at organisms on a geologic or evolutionary time scale, one might even say that all organisms are transitional forms . With intense inbreeding (bottleneck effect) and a little luck (genetic drift), over a long period of time, I'm certain that reproductive isolation (and hence speciation) could (and has) occur(red). Review this thread, then scroll through the posts before it for a real world example where this has occurred (http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/gene....html#post7657). The point is that these morphs represented transitional forms until they essentially (dare I say the word?) s.p.e.c.i.a.t... I can't finish it

The problem with debates over biological terminology are that even words like "adapt" can mean slightly different things to specialists of different disciplines (i.e. physiologists, evolutionary biologists, ecologists, etc.). Yet they have specific definitions within their disciplines. Cheers,

Rick

[Stefan-A]

The problem with debates over biological terminology are that even words like "adapt" can mean slightly different things to specialists of different disciplines (i.e. physiologists, evolutionary biologists, ecologists, etc.). Yet they have specific definitions within their disciplines. Cheers,

Rick

Speaking of which, even "adapt" ("selection" being another, for the same reason) is logically incorrect to use, considering the mechanisms, since the word itself suggest that it's a directed process.

[mikm]

Hey there again Matt ... Me personally, I would get a nice Flame baby. They do 'color up' so it's alot of fun to watch them develop. Just my person opinion

best of luck to you !!

[abcat1993]

Thanks for your opinions, and for reminding me that they color up since the babies look a little dull compared to the adult pictures. After flipping many coins, asking people, and just thinking, I decided it's worth a try to get that. It is partially my impatience however, since I could get it sooner. I know I'd regret it if I didn't take the chance, and I figured I'd probably just spend the money on something stupid like a video game anyway, so I figured, why not?

[Snaky]

Since these questions are often asked, I've had the idea to start an article about it. Everybody who wants can contribute, because you'll probably have more knowledge about it than I have. You can find it here:
http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets...title=Genetics

For some reason, everytime I add an article I get [1] or another number in the article section, instead of the title. Anybody ideas why?