Evolution of Complex Traits Challenges Neo Darwinism.


The evolution of complex traits is one of the most challenging aspects of neo darwinism. Neo Darwinism is the modern version of Darwin's theory of evolution, and it is based on the principles of natural selection. Natural selection is the process by which individuals with traits that are better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Neo Darwinism can explain how simple traits evolve, but it has difficulty explaining how complex traits evolve. A complex trait is one that is made up of many different parts, and each part must work properly in order for the trait to be functional. For example, the eye is a complex trait that is made up of the cornea, lens, retina, optic nerve, and other parts. Each of these parts must work together at the same time in order for the eye to see.

Here are some ways in which the evolution of complex traits is a challenge to neo darwinism:

  1. The Cambrian explosion. The Cambrian explosion was a period of rapid evolutionary diversification that occurred about 540 million years ago. During this time, most of the major animal groups appeared in the fossil record for the first time. The Cambrian explosion is difficult to explain in terms of traditional Darwinian evolution, which is thought to be a gradual process.

  2. The evolution of new genes. Neo Darwinism is based on the idea that evolution is driven by changes in existing genes. Neo Darwinism can not explain the arrival of that first gene rather it acts on a preexisting gene. There is evidence that new genes can also evolve through a process called gene duplication. Gene duplication occurs when a gene is accidentally copied and the extra copy is inserted into the genome. New genes can arise from gene duplications when the extra copy of the gene mutates and takes on a new function. Also the majority of new genes are made thru NonDarwinian Junk DNA and it's movement in the genome.

  3. The role of epigenetics. Epigenetics is the study of how gene expression can be altered without changing the underlying DNA sequence. NeoDarwinism acts on DNA sequence changes (mutations). Epigenetic changes can be passed down to offspring, and they have been shown to play a role in evolution. 

  4. The evolution of cooperation and altruism. Cooperation and altruism are behaviors that benefit others at a cost to oneself. It is difficult to understand how these behaviors could have evolved through natural selection, which is thought to favor individuals who are selfish and competitive (survival of the fittest).

  5. The problem of intermediate forms. Some complex traits are thought to have evolved through a series of small, incremental changes. However, it is difficult to imagine how these traits could have evolved gradually, given that they are non-functional at intermediate stages. For example, the eye is non-functional until all of its parts are in place.

  6. The lack of transitional fossils. The fossil record is incomplete, so there are many gaps in our understanding of evolution. However, the lack of transitional fossils for some complex traits is particularly striking. For example, there are no transitional fossils for the eye or the wing.

  7. The rapid evolution of some traits. Some traits have evolved very rapidly, on a timescale that is difficult to explain with traditional Darwinian evolution. For example, the peppered moth evolved from a light form to a dark form in just a few generations in response to the Industrial Revolution.

  8. The evolution of novelty. Some complex traits are novel, meaning that they have no obvious precursors. For example, the vertebrate eye is novel, because it evolved independently in vertebrates and arthropods.

  9. The role of chance. Neo Darwinism is based on the idea that evolution is a deterministic process. However, there is evidence that chance plays a role in evolution. For example, the evolution of the peppered moth was caused by the random incorporation of a non Darwinian transposon via NonDarwinian horizontal gene transfer.

These are just a few of the ways in which the evolution of complex traits challenges neo darwinism. The challenges posed by complex traits suggest that neo darwinism needs to be replaced in order to fully explain how evolution works.

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