> And please let's not veer off to a discussion of race, that's not my
intention.

Species and races are subjectively-applied human taxonomical terms, but
clearly illustrate how local niche adaptation occurs in many populations of
organisms.  Recent studies with stickleback fish indicate how such
adaptations can occur in even a few generations.

The experience of bee breeders supports this--one can shift a breeding
population's prevalence of color, defensiveness, or hygienic behavior (as
examples) in only a few generations, if you apply strong enough selective
pressure.

A recent scientific article (can't remember which) pointed out the reason
that there are so many "rare" species.  It's apparently because generalists
(such as C mitotype honey bees) tend to dominate when conditions are
"normal."  Locally-adapted subgroups have greater success at survival when
conditions are unfavorable in a certain area.  Should those conditions
unfavorable to the generalists persist, the resultant selective pressure
favors the evolution of races or separate species.
-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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