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This is my favorite random fact about our biosphere: that for some reason it just keeps making crabs. The interesting part about it is whether they represent a
by XorNot 4y ago
This is my favorite random fact about our biosphere: that for some reason it just keeps making crabs.
The interesting part about it is whether they represent a local minima that optimization gets stuck in - i.e. the returns on building yourself an exoskeleton keep increasing the more exoskeleton you add, so once you chance onto that path every other direction then "more exoskeleton" is a net negative for the next generation.
- docmechanic 4y agoWell, the frog crabs might indicate that they could both evolve an exoskeleton and then reverse course. "Whatever the advantages are, they do not apply in all habitats because some groups have also lost carcinization; one modern example being the frog crab."