>>>> But I've always heard that the Icelandics lost their flight instinct b/c of being on an isolated area for 1000 years w/ no natural predators to flee from.
I don't believe that. Losing an instinct like the "prey" instinct would be an evolutionary process, and evolution is measured in many thousands of years to millions of years. What in their survival mechanism would make them loose their prey instincts in a "mere" 1000 years...? On the other hand, natural selection can make changes happen much more quickly...as in the horses who are not suited for an environment quickly die out, in a matter of a generation or a few generations. In Iceland, what might that be? The climate? That makes sense to me. Could a nervous, high-strung, high-energy Arab have made it through a bitterly cold winter, with a minimal of feed? Or would a quiet, fuel-efficient calm horse be more likely to survive and flourish...? I think that's it. Natural selection, over a period of time may shape evolution, but evolution itself is a VERY slow process. Karen Karen Thomas Wingate, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.16/1004 - Release Date: 9/12/2007 5:22 PM
