The Evolution of the Long-necked Giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis L.) PDF Download
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Author: Wolf-Ekkehard Lönnig
Publisher: MV-Verlag
ISBN: 3869914718
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 146
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Book Description
"Darwin (1871) and many African folk legends before him [...] proposed a simple but powerful explanation for the large and elongated shape. Long necks allowed giraffe to outreach presumed competitors, particularly during dry-season bottlenecks when leaves become scarce; (Simmons and Scheepers). However, this old African folk legend which is still commonly taught in high schools, fails to explain, among other things, the size differences between males and females. Giraffe cows are up to 1.5 meters shorter than the giraffe bulls, not to mention the offspring. The wide migration range of the giraffe and the low heights of the most common plants in their diet likewise argue against the dominant selection hypothesis. Also: 1) The fossil "links," which according to the theory should appear successively and replace each other, usually exist simultaneously for long periods of time. 2) Evolutionary derivations based on similarities rely on circular reasoning. 3) The giraffe has eigh t cervical vertebrae. Although the 8th vertebra displays almost all the characteristics of a neck vertebra, as an exception to the rule the first rib pair is attached there. 4) The origin of the long-necked giraffe by a macromutation is, due to the many synorganized structures, extremely improbable. 5) Sexual selection also lacks a mutational basis and, what is more, is frequently in conflict with natural selection ("head clubbing" is probably "a consequence of a long neck and not a cause"; see also Mitchell et al. 2009). 6) In contrast to the thus-far proposed naturalistic hypotheses, the intelligent design theory is basically testable. 7) The long-necked giraffes possibly all belong to the same basic type inasmuch as 8) a gradual evolution from the short-necked to the long-necked giraffe is ruled out by the duplication of a neck vertebra and the loss of a thoracic vertebra. 9) Chance mutations are principally not sufficient to explain the origin of the long-necked giraffe. 10) The intelligent design theory offers an adequate and satisfying solution to the problems and points to numerous "old" and new research projects. 11) Mitchell and Skinner present a good analysis of the selectionist problem; however, their phylogenetic hypotheses presuppose the correctness of the synthetic evolutionary theory, and their claims of "intermediate forms" are unproven (similarly summary Part 2). Part 1 shows why Dawkins and Kutschera are wrong. The scientific facts speak for design."
Author: Wolf-Ekkehard Lönnig
Publisher: MV-Verlag
ISBN: 3869914718
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 146
Get Book Here
Book Description
"Darwin (1871) and many African folk legends before him [...] proposed a simple but powerful explanation for the large and elongated shape. Long necks allowed giraffe to outreach presumed competitors, particularly during dry-season bottlenecks when leaves become scarce; (Simmons and Scheepers). However, this old African folk legend which is still commonly taught in high schools, fails to explain, among other things, the size differences between males and females. Giraffe cows are up to 1.5 meters shorter than the giraffe bulls, not to mention the offspring. The wide migration range of the giraffe and the low heights of the most common plants in their diet likewise argue against the dominant selection hypothesis. Also: 1) The fossil "links," which according to the theory should appear successively and replace each other, usually exist simultaneously for long periods of time. 2) Evolutionary derivations based on similarities rely on circular reasoning. 3) The giraffe has eigh t cervical vertebrae. Although the 8th vertebra displays almost all the characteristics of a neck vertebra, as an exception to the rule the first rib pair is attached there. 4) The origin of the long-necked giraffe by a macromutation is, due to the many synorganized structures, extremely improbable. 5) Sexual selection also lacks a mutational basis and, what is more, is frequently in conflict with natural selection ("head clubbing" is probably "a consequence of a long neck and not a cause"; see also Mitchell et al. 2009). 6) In contrast to the thus-far proposed naturalistic hypotheses, the intelligent design theory is basically testable. 7) The long-necked giraffes possibly all belong to the same basic type inasmuch as 8) a gradual evolution from the short-necked to the long-necked giraffe is ruled out by the duplication of a neck vertebra and the loss of a thoracic vertebra. 9) Chance mutations are principally not sufficient to explain the origin of the long-necked giraffe. 10) The intelligent design theory offers an adequate and satisfying solution to the problems and points to numerous "old" and new research projects. 11) Mitchell and Skinner present a good analysis of the selectionist problem; however, their phylogenetic hypotheses presuppose the correctness of the synthetic evolutionary theory, and their claims of "intermediate forms" are unproven (similarly summary Part 2). Part 1 shows why Dawkins and Kutschera are wrong. The scientific facts speak for design."
Author: Anne Innis Dagg
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107729440
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 261
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Book Description
With its iconic appearance and historic popular appeal, the giraffe is the world's tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant. Recent years have seen much-needed new research undertaken to improve our understanding of this unique animal. Drawing together the latest research into one resource, this is a detailed exploration of current knowledge on the biology, behaviour and conservation needs of the giraffe. Dagg highlights striking new data, covering topics such as species classification, the role of infrasound in communication, biological responses to external temperature changes and motherly behaviour and grief. The book discusses research into behaviour alongside practical information on captive giraffe, including diet, stereotypical behaviour, ailments and parasites, covering both problems and potential solutions associated with zoo giraffe. With giraffe becoming endangered species in Africa, the book ultimately focuses on efforts to halt population decline and the outlook for conservation measures.
Author: Dale Peterson
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520266854
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 230
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Book Description
Presents a cultural, historical, and pictorial history of giraffes, describing their biology and behavior and demonstrating their grace and elegance through over one hundred photographs.
Author: Sabrie Soloman
Publisher: KHANNA PUBLISHING HOUSE
ISBN: 9355382022
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 1606
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Book Description
In a world filled with scientific explanations and theories, it can be easy to lose sight of the ultimate truth of our existence. The truth is that the universe, with all its intricate complexities, did not come into being by mere chance or a random explosion. It was carefully designed and orchestrated by a higher power, a Creator who holds everything together. When we look up at the night sky and see the countless stars and galaxies stretching out into infinity, we cannot help but be in awe of the sheer magnitude and beauty of it all. The heavens declare the glory of God, as it says in the Bible, and remind us of the greatness of the one who made it all. The theory of the Big Bang, which posits that the universe began as a singular point and expanded over billions of years, is a flawed explanation for the origin of the universe. It fails to account for the intricate design and order that we see in the cosmos, as well as the existence of life on earth. The marvel of our planet Earth, with its perfect conditions for sustaining life, points to a Creator who had a purpose and a plan in mind when he made it. The countless galaxies and stars that we observe in the universe are a testament to the power and creativity of God. They show us that we are part of a vast and wondrous creation, one that was made by an intelligent designer who had a vision for it all. The theory of evolution, put forth by Charles Darwin, is another flawed explanation for the diversity of life on earth. It fails to explain the intricate complexities of living organisms and their unique design, as well as the existence of the human soul. It is clear that we are not the product of blind chance or random mutations, but rather the handiwork of a loving and powerful Creator. “The truth of the origin of the universe” points to a Creator who holds everything together and has a purpose and a plan for it all. God stretches out the heavens and allows light to reach us here on earth, showing us his care and provision for his creation. We are not the product of random chance or blind evolution, but rather the cherished creation of a loving God who made us in his image. Let us never forget the marvel and wonder of the universe, and the greatness of the one who made it all.
Author: Alan F. Dixson
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108426182
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 405
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Book Description
The first detailed account of post-copulatory sexual selection and the evolution of reproduction in mammals.
Author: Anna K. Behrensmeyer
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226041557
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 588
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Book Description
Breathtaking in scope, this is the first survey of the entire ecological history of life on land—from the earliest traces of terrestrial organisms over 400 million years ago to the beginning of human agriculture. By providing myriad insights into the unique ecological information contained in the fossil record, it establishes a new and ambitious basis for the study of evolutionary paleoecology of land ecosystems. A joint undertaking of the Evolution of Terrestrial Ecosystems Consortium at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, and twenty-six additional researchers, this book begins with four chapters that lay out the theoretical background and methodology of the science of evolutionary paleoecology. Included are a comprehensive review of the taphonomy and paleoenvironmental settings of fossil deposits as well as guidelines for developing ecological characterizations of extinct organisms and the communities in which they lived. The remaining three chapters treat the history of terrestrial ecosystems through geological time, emphasizing how ecological interactions have changed, the rate and tempo of ecosystem change, the role of exogenous "forcing factors" in generating ecological change, and the effect of ecological factors on the evolution of biological diversity. The six principal authors of this volume are all associated with the Evolution of Terrestrial Ecosystems program at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution.
Author: David P. Barash
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199985561
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 217
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Book Description
Compares teachings of Buddhism with principles of modern biology, revealing many significant points of compatibility.
Author: Mike Cassidy
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1009028189
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 381
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Book Description
Biological evolution, the theory of natural selection and of common descent, is a triumph both of human reasoning and scientific undertaking. The biological discipline of evolution contains both a chronicle of human endeavour and the story of life on Earth. This book is concerned with living forms and how they developed from 'simple and unpromising beginnings'. It considers evolution as both process and product. The author, an experienced teacher and educator, employs a historical narrative, used to convey the idea of 'change with modification' and to emphasise the relevance of evolution to contemporary bioscience. Biological evolution has now become part of the scientific orthodoxy and this accessible text will assist undergraduate students in the biological sciences within any ongoing debate.
Author: Partha Dasgupta
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108482287
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 465
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Book Description
Questions why species are becoming extinct, and how we can protect the natural world on which we all depend.
Author: Colin Groves
Publisher: JHU Press
ISBN: 1421403293
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 330
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Book Description
A group of special interest to mammalogists, taxonomists, and systemicists, ungulates have proven difficult to classify. This comprehensive review of the taxonomic relationships of artiodactyls and perissodactyls brings forth new evidence in order to propose a theory of ungulate taxonomy. With this straightforward volume, Colin Groves and the late Peter Grubb cut through previous assumptions to define ungulate genera, species, and subspecies. The species-by-species accounts incorporate new molecular, cytogenetic, and morphological data, as well as the authors’ own observations and measurements. The authors include references and supporting arguments for new classifications. A starting point for further research, this book is sure to be discussed and hotly debated in the mammalogical community. A well-reasoned synthesis, Ungulate Taxonomy will be a defining volume for years to come.
