Essay - Nature Genetics Competition: did Darwin Really Get it Wrong? Competition...

Nature Genetics

Competition: Did Darwin Really Get It Wrong?

Competition underlies the examples given in Darwinian theory of evolution in which a struggle for existence occurs bec*****use more organisms are born than can survive. Species compete against the environment including other species that require the same food and resources to live. Opponents dispute Darwin's view of competition because they believe that his theory contradicts the notion of symbiosis in which different forms of life depend on each other ***** exist. While evidence grows to support symbiosis, this does not necessarily invalidate ***** natural selection theory ***** competition and ***** are not necessarily mutually exclusive ***** because Darwin did not confine the struggle for survival ***** only competition. Symbiosis does, however, call for an expanding definition of the means to achieve *****.

Researchers can provide many compelling examples ***** what they refer to as coadaptation or mutualism in ***** animals and plants of different species cooperate ***** the benefit of both. Bees and flowers or agricultural crops are an example of animal/plant mutualism. Bees collect nectar that *****s their hives with food, *****, at the same time, extend ***** life ***** flowers and fruit trees through pollination. Furthermore, the bees know to pollinate only one plant species at a ***** ***** at ***** right season to ensure pollination. Also, animal/animal ***** is not uncommon. Large fish like sharks have food remains and parasites in ***** teeth after consuming small fish ***** can produce diseases or hinder further eating. Small cleaning fish swim inside the mouth of larger fish and eat the debris ***** parasites from ***** teeth. The ***** predat***** fish does ***** feed upon the smaller cleaning *****.

Darwin critics argue that their ability to prove that species have been formed for the exclusive good of an***** species discredits Darwin's natural ***** theory. Darwin's natural selection premise states that species naturally have a spread of variations, and that variants ***** confer an advantage of the bearer organisms, and are hereditable, will re***** more frequently ***** competitors. In layman's terms, individuals may have certain characteristics that are an advantage ***** their peers ***** will pass these on to their offspring.

However, opponents of ***** natural selection theory are typically misinformed on Darwin's writings and intent. Darwin's natural selecti***** ***** is commonly summarized as "survival ***** the fittest," a term that Darwin himself never used. Instead he speaks of the "***** for *****ence" in The Orig***** of Species. On this subject, ***** wrote:

should premise that I use the Struggle for Existence in a large and metaphorical sense, ***** dependence of one being on another, ***** including (which is more important) not *****ly the life of the individual, but success in leaving progeny."

Darwin's concept never ***** ***** competition is the most *****ful or the only strategy f***** "struggle for existence." In fact, there's great room for latitude for interpreting what type of ***** one being h***** on another. Although Darwin's examples center on competition, these should be viewed as metaphors that