Evolution question...

[Glaucus]

The point with ring species is that they are only one species because they form a continuous range, if the groups in the middle died out the ends would form two distinct species.

But that depends on what you call a species. Something even scientists are struggling with. Take deer for example. if the middle ones die out they can't breed. But I would still class them as the same species. They have not evolved into something else. They are still deer, with minor differences.

 

[Mik3]

Actually I know that's wrong. Dolphins have different languages between herds.

I never know that. I know they are self aware and they each have a separate sound / name each other. They are incredibly intelligent, I wonder if their on the edge of an large evolutionary advancement?

They have been seen using tools, both the use of tools and advanced communication seems to have been the first step in Humans creating what we have achieved now.

Sorry for going a little OT.

 

[LOAM]

For language evolution simply look at Shakespeare (in olde English) and compare it with written literature of today.

Also read this for an example of where it may be heading

LOAM

 

[Glaucus]

I never know that. I know they are self aware and they each have a separate sound / name each other. They are incredibly intelligent, I wonder if their on the edge of an large evolutionary advancement?

They have been seen using tools, both the use of tools and advanced communication seems to have been the first step in Humans creating what we have achieved now.

Sorry for going a little OT.

The trouble is I don't think we can tell how intelligent animals are. we can' decipher there language. Only that certain sounds correspond with certain situations. What makes us so different is our opposable thumbs. which gives us a unique dexterity advantage.

 

[Mr Jack]

But that depends on what you call a species. Something even scientists are struggling with.

The biological defintion of species (i.e. different species if they can't interbreed) is insufficient because it's not applicable to large groups of living species (all asexual groups) and all extinct species, is difficult to test in the field and leads to odd results in widely geographically isolated groups that produce fertile but distinct hybrids; so it's not considered a complete definition of species. None-the-less, it is almost universally accepted that it an inability to breed is sufficient to seperate groups into species.

Take deer for example. if the middle ones die out they can't breed. But I would still class them as the same species. They have not evolved into something else. They are still deer, with minor differences.

That's, frankly, a stupid thing to say. Of course they are. Big differences (with a relatively small set of exceptions) don't occur in a short space of time. Any two species who have only recently diverged are going to be similar, that's the way it works.

 

[Mik3]

The trouble is I don't think we can tell how intelligent animals are. we can' decipher there language. Only that certain sounds correspond with certain situations. What makes us so different is our opposable thumbs. which gives us a unique dexterity advantage.

Ah yes the opposing thumbs does give us one hell of an advantage, its allowed us to build computers and Atom bombs. They will ever reach our level of technology and understanding of the Universe, but still they are fascinating creatures.

People often talk about Humans as the only intelligent life on this planet and indeed sometimes the Universe, that's total nonsense IMO. Its our understanding of them that's unintelligent.

 

[Glaucus]

That's, frankly, a stupid thing to say. Of course they are. Big differences (with a relatively small set of exceptions) don't occur in a short space of time. Any two species who have only recently diverged are going to be similar, that's the way it works.

It's not stupid and I'm well aware that's how it happens. I was saying that as far as I know we have not seen a new species crated. Not what I would call a species.

 

[Helium_Junkie]

1) If we evolved from something else how is it possible to go from speaking in 'moo' or 'baa' language to suddenly speaking a proper language as we know it today?

It's not, evolution doesn't happen overnight.

2) If this happens, will we continue to evolve and therefore can I expect one day to maybe wake up and be able to speak Spanish??

No, evolution doesn't happen overnight.

3) Does it still happen or has it stopped? How do we know?

Yes, but not overnight.

4) Religions would state that humans have a soul. Animals not so. How can we go from one to the other? The same goes for a conscience. Do animals have one? Can they differentiate between right and wrong? How can we go from not having a conscience to having one?

Thats just their opinion.

 

[RDM]

It's not stupid and I'm well aware that's how it happens. I was saying that as far as I know we have not seen a new species crated. Not what I would call a species.

How would you define a seperate species?

 

[Glaucus]

How would you define a seperate species?

Not entirely sure, but something more than slightly different.

 

[RDM]

Not entirely sure, but something more than slightly different.

Tigers and Lions?