Natures wonders: trees induce ants to protect them (Introduction)

by David Turell , Saturday, September 23, 2017, 14:47 (2616 days ago) @ dhw

DAVID: It is just like Reznick's guppies. They changed sizes by themselves using genetic mechanisms God gave them. I view the ants as doing the same.

dhw: The “genetic mechanisms” are what I would call cellular intelligence, i.e. the autonomous ability of cell communities to process information from the environment and take decisions on the best way to use that information by changing themselves. Thank you for confirming the autonomy of the mechanism ("by themselves"), which is the basis of my hypothesis, although I freely admit that we have no proof that this autonomous mechanism is capable of producing the major adaptations and innovations that result in speciation.

DAVID: It is obvious epigenetic modifications work.

dhw: In other words, it is obvious that organisms have the autonomous ability to make changes to themselves, without any instructions or interventions from your God (though he may have given them that ability in the first place). Thank you. The only remaining – but also leading – question, then, is the extent to which this autonomous ability can produce its own adaptations and innovations.

We know they adapt but remain the same species. We do not know if this can lead to speciation. It appears not.