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Ke, like i said, it is a very individual thing for different species! Why do some lay millions of eggs, another only a half dozen? its about what works for them.
It is reproductive stragety; how many can you afford to produce, what is the optimum birth size, do you protect a few of broadcast thousands to the wind? Does the male help to protect them? is it possible to protect them? Do they need protection? l The answers to these explain the size of parents and offspirng.
Some animlas you cant tell at all to look at them whether it is male of female. Try it on snapping turtles! male and female look the same.
What you cited is not examples of a "theory not fitting". it is examples of creatures that youi would have to study in detail to understand their reproductive stragegy, for both the male and female.
You made a general statement that the size of the female makes sense about the size of offspring and now you are saying we must stick to specifics
Originally Posted by Hespera
Here is a bit of reproductive strategy from plants. A lot of seeds (from berries and fruit) will not germinate unless it has been thru the digestive tract of a bird. Now, do you have any idea why that might be?
Some seeds that are ingested by animals can be digested and later excreted out far away from the parent plant
Increased size is not the ONLY way to improve offspring survival.
It isn't the only but primary way.
Many bear and lion cubs are killed by the male species. Hyenas will generally leave a kill when a male lion arrives but not females..being bigger certainly would increase survival.
Whale's life cycles need further study, blues especially, but we know from humpbacks and sperm whales that the males and females live quite different lifestyles, and so any apparent dimorphism can be explained by that, and by mating display.
IS there a particularly great level of sexual dimorphism in blue whales?
Females are generally 10-15 feet longer.
What lifestyles, do you theorize, would explain the size difference in the blue whale?
Many bear and lion cubs are killed by the male species. Hyenas will generally leave a kill when a male lion arrives but not females..being bigger certainly would increase survival.
False dichotomy... being bigger requires more resources to maintain, not to mention problems with load bearing and surface area ratios. "bigger is better" is simply not always true in nature.
__________________ "As a scientific discussion grows longer, the probability of the side with an ideological rather than scientific basis for their claim (e.g. Creationists climate change deniers) citing "climate Gate" as an excuse for ignoring the scientific consensus approaches 1." LightHorseman's Law
The problem here is with "...lukewarm conceptually confused theology born out of the desire for some to want to live under the umbrella of Grace but judge everyone else through a Levitical Lens." RealDealNeverStop (as per One11's request)
What lifestyles, do you theorize, would explain the size difference in the blue whale?
I'unno... I'm not a marine biologist. Maybe the extra size gives them a longer range to support calves during migration or something?
__________________ "As a scientific discussion grows longer, the probability of the side with an ideological rather than scientific basis for their claim (e.g. Creationists climate change deniers) citing "climate Gate" as an excuse for ignoring the scientific consensus approaches 1." LightHorseman's Law
The problem here is with "...lukewarm conceptually confused theology born out of the desire for some to want to live under the umbrella of Grace but judge everyone else through a Levitical Lens." RealDealNeverStop (as per One11's request)
ke sez..."You made a general statement that the size of the female makes sense about the size of offspring and now you are saying we must stick to specifics
Originally Posted by Hespera
Here is a bit of reproductive strategy from plants. A lot of seeds (from berries and fruit) will not germinate unless it has been thru the digestive tract of a bird. Now, do you have any idea why that might be?
Some seeds that are ingested by animals can be digested and later excreted out far away from the parent plantQUOTE///////////////////////////
Sure, I made a general statement, that applies in some cases. if you want to get specific info it has to be on a specific topic.
As for the seeds, you got a piece of the answer. You didnt say anyhting about why the seeds will ONLY germinate after going thru the digestive system. its no big deal or secret, just an example of reproductive strategy that might not make sense unless yuou looked at it carefully. didnt say you must stick to spedifics, say what you like.
If you want specific info then stick to specifics. if you want general stuff, the i can handle that too.
On the size subject, there is no inherent advantage to being bigger, as such. There are few elephans or blue whales, a lot of rats. So which is more successful?
What lifestyles, do you theorize, would explain the size difference in the blue whale?
Seeing as how blue whales do not usually form long lasting close knit associations between each other, it makes sense that the female would be larger, especially when one considers the fact that the female will take on the task of protecting her offspring for the year or so before the calf leaves.
Additionally, a larger female (with calf) is less likely to be preyed upon by other animals (other than humans).
In this case, size could possibly equate to an "intimidation factor" and would be selected for due to the increased likelihood of the offspring surviving.
Just off the top of my head, nothing else.
__________________
"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." Galileo Galilei
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the internal combustion engine runs on magic."- Blayz
The POINT of Creationism, from an honest Creationist
"And yes, to prove evolution is wrong does not mean creation is right. But, the goal is just that, to prove evolution is wrong. Nothing else."
-juvenissun
False dichotomy... being bigger requires more resources to maintain, not to mention problems with load bearing and surface area ratios. "bigger is better" is simply not always true in nature.
I never said "always" but generally being bigger is better.
Increased size is not the ONLY way to improve offspring survival. QUOTE
It isn't the only but primary way. QUOTE//////////
i wonder what makes you think it is the primary way. if it were then surely all organisms would concentrate on having a few large offspring, would they not?
Every organism has a complex strategy, and size is only one factor.
Seeing as how blue whales do not usually form long lasting close knit associations between each other, it makes sense that the female would be larger, especially when one considers the fact that the female will take on the task of protecting her offspring for the year or so before the calf leaves.
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