So, let’s say there’s a species of bacteria that is known to dwell in Greek yogurt. How long would it take before that species of yogurt-dweller only has modern descendants different enough to qualify as one or more new species?

  • Telorand
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    2 months ago

    If I could add, it’s likely impossible to say, because evolution is driven by selection pressures.

    If the original strain AA has descendent strains AA, AB, and AC, we can’t know with any certainty which is more fit to survive, because it could be one, two, or all of them simultaneously.

    Edit: typo

    • catloaf@lemm.ee
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      2 months ago

      Yes, natural selection isn’t really survival of the fittest, it’s survival of the good enough.

      (Also I assume you meant descendant; decedent is someone who is deceased.)

      • Telorand
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        2 months ago

        Ah, goddamn autocorrect! Yes, that’s what I meant.