mitschlag
Posts: 236
Joined: Sep. 2006
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| Quote (Daniel Smith @ Feb. 18 2008,19:37) | | I think that maybe Neoteny could apply to the coral example, but I don't see how it would apply to the ammonoid example - since both lineages continued in their respective development after the "switch" took effect. |
Remember, you're dealing with enormous populations here, subject to differing environmental conditions (selective pressures) that vary over space and time.
There's no a priori reason to assume a global switchover independent of selective forces (despite Schindewolf's partiality to such notions).
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"You can establish any “rule” you like if you start with the rule and then interpret the evidence accordingly." - George Gaylord Simpson (1902-1984)
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