jeannot
Posts: 1201
Joined: Jan. 2006
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| Quote | Based upon what principles would you predict the almost identical morpholigies of the marsupial and placental types?
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Based on the post you just quoted. (???)
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I could speculate, but I am clueless. Actually, I threw the question out there but I haven't read up on the genetic similarities. I'd like to know more about that.
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We don't know any particular genetic similarity between convergent marsupials and eutherians. First, we have to identify the genes responsible for a given morphology. But since these genes interact and co-evolve with others, we don't expect any genetic similarity between analogous forms.
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I guess I would lean to the idea that those animals were not really separated for as long as we think they were. and yet, they've got this completely different reproductive strategy.
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They were indeed separated a long time ago and we have a remarkable convergence. Yet, this is rather common in animals and even in plants.
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