[Taxacom] SUSPECT: Re: Molecules vs Morphology‏

[Jason Mate]

But Richard,

if we follow that to its logical conclusion then the history of the organism is untraceable because the environment is a non-heritable trait or influence. I would develop more but it is really late here. Maybe tomorrow if John cheers me up.

Jason

> Subject: RE: [Taxacom] SUSPECT: Re:  Molecules vs Morphology‏
> Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2009 18:11:12 -0500
> From: Richard.Zander at mobot.org
> To: jfmate at hotmail.com; taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
> 
> Can I argue here that the genome does NOT include all that is relevant to determining evolution? I suggest that the environment or habitat is a kind of metachromosome or "envirosome" that contributes both direction of evolution and stabilization over time through natural selection. It is shared by all members of a species, and by affecting traits of a genus give coherence to evolution at the genus level.
> 
> Given this, morphology is a better clue to evolution than the genome since it is at the interface of genome and environment. 
> 
> *****************************
> Richard H. Zander 
> Voice: 314-577-0276
> Missouri Botanical Garden
> PO Box 299
> St. Louis, MO 63166-0299 USA
> richard.zander at mobot.org
> Web sites: http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/resbot/
> and http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/bfnamenu.htm
> Non-post deliveries to:
> Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110
> *****************************
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu [mailto:taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of Jason Mate
> Sent: Sunday, August 16, 2009 5:38 PM
> To: Taxacom
> Subject: Re: [Taxacom] SUSPECT: Re: Molecules vs Morphology‏
> 
> Yes the complexity of a sequence is much less than many morphological characters, but arguing this accross assumes that morphology is more than the genome which begs the question of where this information is hidden.
> 
> Jason

_________________________________________________________________
With Windows Live, you can organize, edit, and share your photos.
http://www.microsoft.com/middleeast/windows/windowslive/products/photo-gallery-edit.aspx