But . . .

Post #224,135 by Andrew Grygus 9/10/05 2:25:12 PM 9/10/05 2:27:26 PM Reply	But . . . . . there's a lot of very deep ocean critters with tooth sets a lot like that. Apparently good for holding fish. Adaptions like that aren't evolutionary flaws but they are evolutionary dead ends. Something happens to the particular kind of fish you go after (or they learn to swim deeper) and you're out of business. The saber tooth tiger, for instance, was the most recent of several beasts (including a marsupial) to develop a pair of saber fangs. Highly successful for a time (note the number of saber tooth tiger fossils found), then things change and you're out of business. Also it is suspected that the atmosphere was much higher in oxygen when giant reptiles and dinosaurs roamed the earth and sky. Pushing the size envelope was also highly successful but a dead end. The atmosphere changes and you're out of business. [link\|http://www.aaxnet.com\|AAx] Edited by Andrew Grygus Sept. 10, 2005, 02:27:26 PM EDT Expand All History
Post #224,142 by ben_tilly 9/10/05 4:39:45 PM Reply	A meteor will help with that I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
Post #224,157 by Andrew Grygus 9/10/05 6:11:50 PM 9/10/05 6:55:54 PM Reply	As will volcanos. Many now think the meteor strike off the Yucatan was just a finishing touch, if that. The main work was already done by massive volcanic action on the Indian subcontinent. 65 million years ago, the events creating the Deccan Traps produced a basalt flow 6,500 feet thick covering over a million square miles, all in a remarkably short time. Near Mumbai (Bombay) this flow is still 1-1/2 miles thick. These events would have had a severe effect on both atmosphere and climate. [link\|http://www.aaxnet.com\|AAx] Edited by Andrew Grygus Sept. 10, 2005, 06:55:54 PM EDT Expand All History
Post #224,167 by bionerd 9/10/05 7:02:31 PM Reply	Good point. "dead end" is more appropriate than "design flaw. Those pointy teeth probably served to protect. I pity the animal that provoked those choppers.
Post #224,180 by Another Scott 9/10/05 8:40:40 PM Reply	I imagine they were used in some courtship ritual too. "Hi dear! Welcome home! Come give your honey a little sugar... Ouch!!!" Cheers, Scott.
Post #224,210 by Ashton 9/10/05 11:16:49 PM Reply	'Dear Diary: today my heart leapt when Agent Scully suggested spontaneous human combustion.' LRPD-wag. Ah, the things conjurable-up when one's god has face-hair, gender pique and ...
Post #224,269 by bionerd 9/11/05 11:09:59 AM Reply	Makes me glad the only thing I have to contend with in courtship is the occassional sandpaper-like 5 o'clock shadow.

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