>
> >However, the outcome of evolution is never assured, nor inevitable


Pete, let's be careful about our words.  Evolution means change--so if no
change, then no evolution.

What comes to mind is the axiom, "if it works, don't fix it."

We see this in a number of species that appear to be virtually unchanged
from their ancestors in the fossil record.  They nailed how to thrive in a
certain niche, and if that niche continues to exist, there may be no
selective pressure to change.

And evolutionary change may be invisible to us--for example, I'm not sure
that the apparent change towards resistance to tracheal mite has been fully
elucidated.

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html