3 ms·
Evolution selects for genes that manage to leave lots of descendants. Actually, it selects for different things in different environments. r-strategists, that
by Evgeny 15y ago
Evolution selects for genes that manage to leave lots of descendants.
Actually, it selects for different things in different environments.
r-strategists, that leave as much offspring as possible starting as early in life as possible survive well in unstable environments. Heaps of offspring is being produce, but only a small percentage survive to reproduce.
In stable, predictable environments, however, K-strategists thrive. They leave less offspring, but care for them long enough and good enough so that most of the offspring survive. Think species like humans, whales, elephants etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R/K_selection_theory http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R/K_selection_theory
- btilly 15y agoNo, evolution always selects for the same goal. There are different strategies for attaining that goal, and in different environments those strategies work out differently. But the goal is always the same - do you many generations later have lots of descendants with the gene?