Xref: utzoo sci.bio:2024 talk.origins:4986
Path: utzoo!mnetor!tmsoft!dptcdc!ncrcan!ziebmef!hjsdvm
From: hjsdvm@ziebmef.uucp (Howard J. Scrimgeour)
Newsgroups: sci.bio,talk.origins
Subject: Re: The birds and the beaks
Keywords: evolution, birds, beaks
Message-ID: <1989Apr22.220118.7777@ziebmef.uucp>
Date: 23 Apr 89 02:01:16 GMT
References: <28330@apple.Apple.COM> <3561@aplcomm.jhuapl.edu> <28379@apple.Apple.COM> <3566@aplcomm.jhuapl.edu> <28434@apple.Apple.COM> <3576@aplcomm.jhuapl.edu> <273@acates.UUCP>
Reply-To: hjsdvm@ziebmef.UUCP (Howard J. Scrimgeour)
Organization: Ziebmef Public Access Unix, Toronto, Ontario
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With regard to the development of albinism in cave animals, it is not necessary
to invoke a hypothetical entropy factor to account for this. Remember that
colour in an animal's skin is due to the presence of a pigment, such as
melanin. The melanins are large, complex molecules, and they cost the
animal energy to produce. In an environment where they are of no use,
the mutant which does not produce them gains an advantage.

      ..H. J. Scrimgeour, D.V.M.