Re: HYB: pigments - review of plant parts

From the point of view of one who has been trained as a formulator of "Theory"
(albeit forty years ago), Darwin's formulation does not fit our current
understanding of the mechanisms of "Evolution."

The Theory of Evolution, were it to be restated in contemporary terms would
look at DNA replication and repair, random errors and occasional failure of
the "proofreading" process, and how these get sorted over time, or in the case
you cited, Linda, of the computer model of such a process.

The more accurate formulation of Evolution as a theory would be to say
something on the order of:

1.  Those genetic units (whether chromosomes, cells, or whole, functioning
organisms) that DO NOT reproduce or replicate are eliminated.  (This is an
internally logical statement.  Of course they are eliminated--they have not
produced offspring).

2.  Those genetic units (as above) which do produce offspring, but because of
internal make-up, have a reduced probability of replication or reproduction
have a proportionally weaker contribution to the perdurable (lasting, but much
stronger as a word than "lasting") data field (which in the case of living
organisms is the genetic pool).

3.  Those genetic units which do produce offspring in a manner more or less
normative to the data population produce offspring which include random
variances, those of which do not inhibit the replication or reproduction have
a high probability of entering the data field (the genetic pool).

4.  Those genetic units which produce offspring in a manner which yield units
of aggressive replication or reproduction have a proportionatly higher than
the normative group probability of perdurability (have more influence than the
norm on the future genetic pool).

Notice that number three allows for genetic "radiation" of types.
Characteristics which do NOT interfere with reproduction continue to remain in
the genetic pool.

A classic example of this is in our own back yards and city streets with the
variant types and color patterns of feral (wild) cats and dogs.  The random
element in "genetic drift" in isolated populations accounts for a part of
species differentiation.  Competiton among types or species is governed under
#4.

The phenomenon you mention, Linda, fits under #3.

Sure doesn't sound like Darwin, does it!

Neil Mogensen z 7 western NC mountains

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