Innovation and Speciation (Evolution)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Saturday, July 02, 2011, 10:40 (4675 days ago) @ David Turell

Hrmm, perhaps it is just my incomplete understanding of the subject, but it seems like this would be as much of a hindrance to speciation as a help. All of the genes listed in the article prevent interbreeding between genetically distinct species. Even if the distinction is slight. In the cases where they are(usually artificially) able to interbreed, the offspring are listed as being sterile. We have known this for centuries regarding the mule, a horse/donkey hybrid which is ALWAYS sterile. -I do not see how stating that genetically distinct species not being able to breed strengthens the evolutionary case. If these genetic barriers can not be crossed successfully, then the chances for the tremendous divergent populations from a common ancestry becomes increasingly remote as suitable genetically compatible partners for a creature with a newly mutated gene would be exceedingly rare, and offspring from such a union, should they occur, carry a high risk of sterility.