December 9, 2009
Feed Birds - Influence Their 'Evolution'
New research suggests humans are helping to change a bird
species called blackcaps.
Feed Birds - Influence Their 'Evolution'
New research suggests humans are helping to change a bird
species called blackcaps.
SUMMARY: Feeding birds in winter may be fun, but it could change their
"evolution," some researchers say. The Dec. 3 Current Biology reports on a
population of blackcaps that has split into two "reproductively isolated" groups
in under 30 generations, despite continuing to breed in the same forest. In
other words, they aren't breeding with each other and could "evolve" differently
in the future.
“Our study documents the profound impact of human activities on the
evolutionary trajectories of species,” said Martin Schaefer of the University of
Freiburg. The split the researchers referred to occurred in Central Europe
after humans began offering food to the blackcaps in winter. The two groups
began to follow different migratory routes and now are classified as "ecotypes,"
the initial step in a process that could see them becoming separate species.
One group of blackcaps now follows a shorter northwest migratory route and is
fed by humans, while the other group migrates southwest and feeds on fruits.
As a result, according to Schaefer, those birds migrating northwest have
rounder wings which provide better maneuverability but which also are less
suited for long-distance flights. In addition, these birds have longer, narrowed
bills less equipped for eating large fruits like olives.
Actually, Schaefer doubts the two groups will eventually form separate species
because the habits of humans change over time. Still he implies that these
findings suggest physical barriers such as long distances are not necessary for
speciation (formation of new species) to occur. “Our results now show that the
initial steps of speciation can occur very quickly in a highly mobile, migratory
bird,” and “it doesn’t have to take millions of years.”
(Photo of a blackcap from Wikimedia Commons.)
To read the entire article, click on this link to WORLD SCIENCE.
COMMENT: To the casual follower of the creation-evolution debate, this
article might seem as if it were providing evidence to support the case for
evolution . However, it is not as it may seem. Although Martin Schaefer points
out that some physical differences between the two groups of blackcaps have
emerged, he admits the two groups have not now and may not ever actually
become separate species.
We need to understand the term "species" and how it is different from the
word "kind." Kind is a biblical term that refers to one of the many original
living creatures designed by the Creator during creation week and which were
apparently given rich genes. These kinds had the genetic potential to produce
descendents that could be quite varied but which still could only vary within
fixed limits ("according to their kinds." Genesis 1). Consider the differences
between a lion and a cat. They are the same "kind," and even many
evolutionists regard them as the same species despite their differences.
Species is a human-invented word that is narrower in its scope than kind, and
creationist scientists do admit that some new species have developed within
the created kinds. So, as creationists, we must be careful not to say that no
new species has ever developed. We can say, however, that no new kind has
ever been observed to have come into being. We might well want to avoid
using the terms "evolve" or "evolution" altogether since they imply the
impossible development of a single-celled organism into humans.
I'm sure we are happy that God has allowed such variety in the world around
us. It would be a less-interesting planet if there were but one variety of dog or
cat, for instance. But genetics tells us that as varieties of the original created
kinds have come into being, they could only make use of the genetic
information already in their cells. There was no way for them to have gotten
new genetic information to enable them to become entirely different kinds of
creatures.
Having said this, I would be remiss to not mention that every believer in Christ
as Savior will one day truthfully become a new kind of creature. We will be
given perfectly healthy bodies, personalities, and souls, devoid of any
imperfection or inclination to sin. This will have nothing to do with any evolution
but everything to do with the love of the Father who sent His only-begotten Son
into the world to save us from our sins.
For a more detailed look at the difference between "species" and "kind," click
on this link to ANSWERS IN GENESIS.
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QUESTION OF THE DAY
Why can nuts and seeds, which are high in fat, be helpful for people
wanting to lose weight?
**************************************************************************************
NOTE ON VISITOR COMMENTS: Visitor comments are invited including those
containing alternate views. However, comments containing profanity or
advertisements will not be published. After posting a comment, please allow
several hours for it to appear on the blog.
**************************************************************************************
"evolution," some researchers say. The Dec. 3 Current Biology reports on a
population of blackcaps that has split into two "reproductively isolated" groups
in under 30 generations, despite continuing to breed in the same forest. In
other words, they aren't breeding with each other and could "evolve" differently
in the future.
“Our study documents the profound impact of human activities on the
evolutionary trajectories of species,” said Martin Schaefer of the University of
Freiburg. The split the researchers referred to occurred in Central Europe
after humans began offering food to the blackcaps in winter. The two groups
began to follow different migratory routes and now are classified as "ecotypes,"
the initial step in a process that could see them becoming separate species.
One group of blackcaps now follows a shorter northwest migratory route and is
fed by humans, while the other group migrates southwest and feeds on fruits.
As a result, according to Schaefer, those birds migrating northwest have
rounder wings which provide better maneuverability but which also are less
suited for long-distance flights. In addition, these birds have longer, narrowed
bills less equipped for eating large fruits like olives.
Actually, Schaefer doubts the two groups will eventually form separate species
because the habits of humans change over time. Still he implies that these
findings suggest physical barriers such as long distances are not necessary for
speciation (formation of new species) to occur. “Our results now show that the
initial steps of speciation can occur very quickly in a highly mobile, migratory
bird,” and “it doesn’t have to take millions of years.”
(Photo of a blackcap from Wikimedia Commons.)
To read the entire article, click on this link to WORLD SCIENCE.
COMMENT: To the casual follower of the creation-evolution debate, this
article might seem as if it were providing evidence to support the case for
evolution . However, it is not as it may seem. Although Martin Schaefer points
out that some physical differences between the two groups of blackcaps have
emerged, he admits the two groups have not now and may not ever actually
become separate species.
We need to understand the term "species" and how it is different from the
word "kind." Kind is a biblical term that refers to one of the many original
living creatures designed by the Creator during creation week and which were
apparently given rich genes. These kinds had the genetic potential to produce
descendents that could be quite varied but which still could only vary within
fixed limits ("according to their kinds." Genesis 1). Consider the differences
between a lion and a cat. They are the same "kind," and even many
evolutionists regard them as the same species despite their differences.
Species is a human-invented word that is narrower in its scope than kind, and
creationist scientists do admit that some new species have developed within
the created kinds. So, as creationists, we must be careful not to say that no
new species has ever developed. We can say, however, that no new kind has
ever been observed to have come into being. We might well want to avoid
using the terms "evolve" or "evolution" altogether since they imply the
impossible development of a single-celled organism into humans.
I'm sure we are happy that God has allowed such variety in the world around
us. It would be a less-interesting planet if there were but one variety of dog or
cat, for instance. But genetics tells us that as varieties of the original created
kinds have come into being, they could only make use of the genetic
information already in their cells. There was no way for them to have gotten
new genetic information to enable them to become entirely different kinds of
creatures.
Having said this, I would be remiss to not mention that every believer in Christ
as Savior will one day truthfully become a new kind of creature. We will be
given perfectly healthy bodies, personalities, and souls, devoid of any
imperfection or inclination to sin. This will have nothing to do with any evolution
but everything to do with the love of the Father who sent His only-begotten Son
into the world to save us from our sins.
For a more detailed look at the difference between "species" and "kind," click
on this link to ANSWERS IN GENESIS.
**************************************************************************************
Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new post? Just e-mail
your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
**************************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Why can nuts and seeds, which are high in fat, be helpful for people
wanting to lose weight?
**************************************************************************************
NOTE ON VISITOR COMMENTS: Visitor comments are invited including those
containing alternate views. However, comments containing profanity or
advertisements will not be published. After posting a comment, please allow
several hours for it to appear on the blog.
**************************************************************************************
0 Comments
Nuts and seeds are high in plant sterols,
which promote feelings of fullness and
contain substances that suppress appetite.
Source: Bottom Line Personal (11/15/09
which promote feelings of fullness and
contain substances that suppress appetite.
Source: Bottom Line Personal (11/15/09
| LSI stands for the Lutheran Science Institute, an organization of WELS and ELS Lutherans interested in science and health issues with a special emphasis on the creation and evolution controversy. This blog's purpose is to search the Internet to find articles of interest to Christians. Views expressed are those of the author (Warren Krug) and are not necessarily those of the Lutheran Science Institute, Inc. |