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Why do animals get selected with unbeneficial Fossil genes?
Random variations and natural selection of those able to survive. I understand for beneficial variations, but how is it beneficial that groups and populations thrive for fossil genes not needed.
For instance: mole rats. The eyes are undeveloped because those parts of the genes are not needed. Why do populations thrive and survive that don't need sight for their environment? Why did they survive better? Blind fish in caves and so on
Thank you
1 Answer
- Enough TrollsLv 78 years agoFavorite Answer
An animal that does not need eyes still uses chemicals and energy to make the eyes. If a random mutation means the animal fails to fully develop it's eyes then it uses less resources and is therefore "more fit" in relation to its environment.
Random does still mean random - many animals have a heap of genes that are not active. Adult Lactose tolerance is a mutation that has probably happened many times in human history - each time it wasted energy and was selected out - until humans started to herd milk producing animals - the milk was harvested for the young and now the mutation has value and was conserved.
