Darwin, and After Darwin, Volume 3 of 3: Post-Darwinian Questions: Isolation and Physiological SelectionRomanes, George John
Science
Darwin, and After Darwin, Volume 3 of 3: Post-Darwinian Questions: Isolation and Physiological Selection
Romanes, George John
Evolution (Biology); Heredity
The first is, that, as Mr. Wallace remarks, "every species has come into
existence coincident both in space and time with a pre-existing and
closely allied species." I regard this as important evidence that
physiological selection is one of the natural causes concerned. For the
general fact implied is that every species has come into existence on an
area occupied by its parent type, and therefore under circumstances
which render it imperative that intercrossing with that type should be
prevented. In the case of monotypic evolution by natural selection
alone, intercrossing with the parent type is prevented through the
gradual extinction of that type by successive generations of the
developing type. But in the case of polytypic evolution, intercrossing
with the parent type can only be prevented by some form of isolation
other than natural selection; and here it is evident that
cross-infertility with the parent type must be as efficient to that end
as any other form of isolation that can be imagined. Consequently we
might almost have expected beforehand that in a large proportional
number of cases cross-infertility should have been the means employed.
And the fact that this is actually the case so far corroborates the only
theory which is able to explain it.
The second point is this.
It appears to be comparatively rare for any cause of specific divergence
to prove effectual on common areas, unless it sooner or later becomes
associated with some degree of cross-infertility. But through this
association, the segregating influence of both the causes concerned is,
as Mr. Gulick has shown, greatly increased. For instance, if the
segregating influence of some degree of cross-infertility be associated
with that of any other form of isolation, then, not only will the two
segregating influences be added, but multiplied together. And thus, by
their mutual action and reaction, divergent evolution is promoted at a
rapidly increasing rate.
I will now summarize the main points of the theory of physiological
isolation in a categorical form.
1. If no other form of isolation be present, specific divergence can
only take place when some degree of cross-infertility has previously
arisen between two or more sections of a species.
2. When such cross-infertility has arisen it may cause specific
divergence, either (_a_) by allowing independent variability in each of
the physiologically isolated groups; (_b_) by becoming associated with
any other cause of differentiation already operating; or (_c_) by both
these means combined.
3. As some degree of cross-infertility generally obtains between allied
species, we are justified in concluding that this has been the most
frequent--or, at any rate, the most effective--kind of isolation where
the origin of species is concerned; and therefore the kind with which,
in the case of species-formation, natural selection, or any other cause
of specific divergence, has been most usually associated.
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