From: Peter Dillon <pdillon@club-internet.fr>
Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2002 22:24:31 +0000
To: BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Lamarkianism

Robert,
"It sounds like heresy on the face of it, but couldn't it also be that a
change in cell size will weight the balance in favour of a different
selection of already existing genes?"

This is quiet possible - also commonly known as "Survival of the
Fittest" - put forward by Charlie Darwin.
To cite an example - Peppered Moth in Manchester.England
A speckled white moth found on tree bark
The melanic gene trait was possible and occasionally appeared but was at
a disadvantage until industrial pollution (dirty tree bark)resulted in
its phenotype having a survival advantage - resulted in the genotype
spreading in the gene pool.
Now due to cleaner air conditions, the melanic form is in retreat.
Therefore - genetic variation when present will allow a organism to
react to changes in its environment. If there is not a trait that allows
for the organism to "fit" with the new conditions - it will be at a
disadvantage and suffer the consequences. (retreat to areas where it
does fit, or over a period of time, disappears)

Honey bees due to treatment with differing sized foundation show
polymorphism - having many forms. Movement of one form into different
environments other than the one it is adjusted to is difficult. Hence
the apparent time taken to move bees from 5.+ mm. foundation to that of
5.-mm. foundation.

I take heart that evidence lost (never kept!?) from bee
behaviour/activity based on natural systems is being regenerated.
If done correctly and properly recorded, a bank of knowledge will be
created, and eventually conclusions drawn.

Peter

PS. Sickle Cell condition gives a certain resistance to Malaria when in
heterozygous state. Hence enough to ensure the survival of the sickle
cell allele.