Don, Cloning and parthenogenesis are an alternate way of reproduction that takes place under special conditions. Where they occur they are essentially a reproductive equivalent to Plan B, to be implemented when the original plan doesn't work. There are distinct advantages to sexual reproduction which allows the mixing of genetic materials. It allows for faster adaptation to changing conditions with greater variability with the gene pool, than does asexual reproduction. Evolutionary adaptation and speciation also can occur at a more rapid rate because the superior or changed genes are able to be spread among the entire gene pool, rather than limited to one organisms specific lineage. I am just not sure how many species have this ability, and in how many the cloning ability has been lost.
Charcoal weathers fairly quickly and being generally lighter than rock and soil it migrates to the surface and is washed away. Ed http://nature-web-network.blogspot.com/ http://primalforests.ning.com/ http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=709156957 http://nature-web-network.blogspot.com/ http://primalforests.ning.com/ http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=709156957 ----- Original Message ----- From: DON BERTOLETTE To: Western Native Tree Society Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 3:23 PM Subject: RE: [WNTS] In California, a Scrub Oak Is an Old Pro at Cloning Ed- An interesting scenario where one can imagine evolution occuring in midstep...with seed reproduction on its way out, and cloning on its way in. Curious thing though...if wildfire is the trigger, there should be lots of charcoal around... -Don
