The definition of macro vs microevolution

[John_Harshman]

@gbrooks9

Okay… so now that you have dug your hole…

I would appreciate knowing where this hole supposedly is. What are you getting at?

Or if you’re ignoring me, can anyone else suggest what point @gbrooks9 is trying to make?

[T_aquaticus]

@gbrooks9

[1] Are you asserting that Lions and Tigers are, indeed, separate species? Do I have that part right?

I would say they are separate species. There is either complete isolation of the two gene pools or extremely little transfer between the gene pools. There is an obvious divergence between the populations, both in morphology and genetics.

@gbrooks9

[2] I think we agree that a lot of micro-evolutions are sufficient to create speciation, right?

If we tracked every genetic change in each population since the two populations experienced limited gene flow between them we would probably classify each change as microevolution.

@gbrooks9

[3] So what differences between Lions and Tigers would constitute the most significant difference?

I guess I would have to ask how you determine significance. There are single mutations that can result in large amounts of phenotypic change, other mutations that cause tiny phenotypic changes, and other mutations that don’t produce any change in phenotype. Is that what you are asking about?

[gbrooks9 (GeorgeB)]

@T_aquaticus

I guess I would have to ask how you determine significance. There are single mutations that can result in large amounts of phenotypic change, other mutations that cause tiny phenotypic changes, and other mutations that don’t produce any change in phenotype. Is that what you are asking about?

@T_aquaticus

I think you answered my question(s) as well as anyone could. Thank you. We should remember this conversation for the next time someone starts trying to throw grenades into the mix!