Falsifying Phylogeny

Systematic phylogenetics, -also known as Cladistic taxonomy- is the most profound evidence there is indicating our evolution from common ancestry, but very few people understand it. Since I don't see any other science advocates actively concerned with promoting the importance of this field of study, then perhaps I have found my niche.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• systematic
• phylogenetic
• cladistic
• cladistics
• clades
• taxonomy
• classification
• evolution
• common
• ancestor
• ancestry
• phylogeny

[AmosTheTalented]

It's cool that it was mentioned that chickens have scales on their feet. I own a few faverolle chickens, and one of them has deformed feet. Basically her toes never fully separated in their development giving her webbed feet!

[AronRa]

@AmosTheTalented I'd like to see a picture of a chicken with webbed feet.

[TheStigma]

Hear the clicketyclack sound?

That's the sound of creationists searching conservapedia right now for examples of mammals with more than 4 limbs lol... :)

[DaToNyOyO]

@Gibbons3457 Fresh eyes to the fray..

I just figured, since he's so sure he has a deal-breaker, he shouldn't be selfish and keep it to himself. I mean, if you want to play the science game that's fine, but you have to actually *play* the science game and not just whine about stuff on YouTube.

I'm sure we'd all like to find the truth, right? So if he's right he stands as much chance as the next guy. If he's right..

..which he's not. :D

[scrustle]

This video is full of win. Evolutionary science, dinosaurs, muscle cars and awesome cartoon and movie clips!

[Daugueffxi]

hear that creationists? all you have to do is find a horse with wings and you win! good luck, come back when you find one.

[MartianSanta]

that's why i could never stand star trek

[Flyborg]

@narutofan9999 I'm no expert either, but just thinking about it, the simplest fins are very simple compared to the arms/legs they evolved into. They're just bits of flesh jutting out, and I could easily imagine how this could give a slight advantage to the earliest ocean animals. 1% more aerodynamic > 0% more aerodynamic.

[narutofan9999]

@Flyborg

Is that so? Not that I particularily disagree, but I'm thinking like "how did the first limbs evolve then anyways?" I find it hard to imagine that the first primitive forms were of any great advantage. Then again, my knowledge on the subject is, eh, rather limited.

[Flyborg]

@narutofan9999 True, for individual mutations. But for the type of large-scale change required for something like Pegasi to evolve, it's essentially impossible for multiple mutations to accumulate in a certain direction (IE sprouting a new set of limbs) without some kind of selective pressure for each one. I guess I could clarify my original statement by saying "..each of which must be beneficial, or else the chance that they'd accumulate in a given direction would be effectively zero."

[narutofan9999]

@Flyborg

Actually, each mutation doesn't have to be beneficial. It's entire possible for complete nonsense mutations to be carried along as long as they don't actually hinder the ability of the species to reproduce (just take blue eyes as an example).

[ThatMathGuy7318]

Do you happen to have the source image for what was shown at 6:50. That looks very interesting. Thanks

[Flyborg]

@ctraver I believe he was saying that they're so improbable so as to be effectively impossible. It's extremely unlikely (bordering on impossible) for a large animal with 4 limbs to somehow sprout an extra set of limbs on it's back as a result of a series of small mutations, each of which must be beneficial. If you add on to that the chance that the wings would be bird wings, the chance goes down even further. It would be like 2 authors coincidentally writing the exact same book, word for word.