Rudolph & global warming

[Ken Kinman]

     I disagree somewhat.  With global warming we are
likely to see more fog in that vicinity.  Although
Rudolph displays an uncommon variation in nasal
morphology, and therefore  doesn't really constitute
even a deme (much less a subspecies), the increasing
likelihood of fog would make him increasingly attractive
to females, thus increasing the chances that his genes
will be selected and increase in frequency.  More fog
will be advantageous for his descendants, although the
possibility of inbreeding may render this new "deme" of
reindeer vulnerable to the problems of inbreeding
similar to that encountered in the cheetah.  At least
that would be my first impression of Rudolph's future.
Of course there are other factors that could complicate
the picture, but for the foreseeable future, I see happy
times for Rudolph and kin.
                      Happy Holidays, Ken Kinman

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