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Bottle gourds in particular are known to have been dispersed across the ocean, probably by simply floating.
by JoeAltmaier 2y ago
Bottle gourds in particular are known to have been dispersed across the ocean, probably by simply floating.
- culi 2y agoIt seems like the main evidence supporting this is genetic research. That doesn't necessarily mean it's evolved to disperse in this way. It could have just been a freak accident. In fact, if the bottle gourd did specifically evolve to disperse in this way, wouldn't we expect to see more examples of populations in the new world rather than just the one? Coconuts on the other hand are found all along coasts from Indonesia to Africa to the New World. It's clear that they're reproductive strategy is geared towards dispersing in this way. I think it's a stretch to say gourds also have this strategy just because it happened once
- quesera 2y agoIt's always more than a stretch to say that evolution has any strategy. All of evolution is merely freak accidents. Some advantageous, some not. But never any intent. > Coconuts on the other hand are found all along coasts from Indonesia to Africa to the New World. It's clear that they're reproductive strategy is geared towards dispersing in this way. It never occurred to me to wonder how palm trees came to be found on remote islands, but something about the idea of coconuts bobbing on ocean currents is unexpectedly satisfying.