A Blurry Line Between TE and OEC

[swamidass (S. Joshua Swamidass)]

@anon46279830

At first I thought the “radiation” actually occurred in Antarctica. But the coloration of the graphic and associated text indicates that the radiation occurred in Australia - - in response to the virtually empty niches that the original marsupial population encountered and exploited (you can see from the graphic where each branch off occurs).

I agree there was radiation in Australia, the question is “how much”? T the graphic is showing one view of the evidence, does not include Antarctica, and the amplifying text of the study does not support your assertion. I do think it was a top-drawer study. They are to be congratulated for meticulous research, but it doesn’t show what you want it to show. The evidence is inconclusive.

@gbrooks9

Look, that’s outlandish to hang your position on that. Maybe they only have one fossil from Antarctica because almost all of it is under a mile-thick sheet of ice! And Australia itself has a terrible fossil record at this time. Heck so did S. America for that matter. The authors of your link say so themselves…

@anon46279830

Instead of saying all the things that might be wrong … all you need to do is demonstrate that something significant is missing.

You know, this is a lot of arguing by people who agree. You both are fine with common descent, and God’s guidance in a process of common descent.

The only disagreement appears to be about whether or not to use the term “evolution” or not.