Symbiosis vs. Evolution. Which is correct?

Question

Evolution cannot explain the remarkable symbiotic relationships between species..How could two completely different species evolve seperately from discinct ancestors, yet depend on each other to exist? How can plants that need certain animals to survive have existed before those animals appeared in the first place? And, how do animals that need other animals to survive arrive without the other creature already being there?

Answer 1

Actually, the theory evolution provides a very elegant explanation of symbiotic relations between organsism. The pattern of evolution that produces such relationships is called coevolution. Basically, when two species live in the same place for a long time, they adapt to each other just like the adapt to their environment. Species that depend on each other to survive evolved together, at the same time. They started off living independently, but the ones that worked together with the other species did better, so eventually those ones took over.

Answer 2

They evolve to fit a niche and exploit a resource, in this case: another animal. If 2 species evolve seperately and it's easier to develop a symbiotic relationship, why not do it? It results in survival for each species but with less energy required, it's VERY advantageous for the animal/plant. Eventually they grow more and more specialized for that particular niche/relationship, at the same time growing more dependent on it. (I'm kinda bad at explaining things... does that make sense?)

Answer 3

They cannot. It's like asking the question "Which evolved first, the respiratory (lungs), the nervous (nerves) or the cariovascular (heart) system?" To survive, we need all three working simultaneously, as well as other systems. They are dependent on each other.

For more details, see the excellent answer to my question regarding creation v evolution.

Answer 4

Symbiosis was an adaptation. The plants and animals that developed in way that complimented another plant or animal had a better chance of survival.

Answer 5

Symbiosis is a common and necessary outgrowth of evolution. Game theory demonstrates that when something is working to achieve an objective it will be more likely to meet that objective if it assists others attempting to meet their own objects rather than competing. In the case of living things, each is attempting to replicate its genetics. However, each living thing is attempting to do so in similar environments and must overcome common problems. It becomes highly likely that they will adapt to a symbiotic relationship to meet the challenges of the environment, than to destroy each other.

Answer 6

It's called "coevolution," and there are many more examples of it besides the yucca moth. "Interactions between organisms can produce both conflict and co-operation. When the interaction is between pairs of species, such as a pathogen and a host, or a predator and its prey, these species can develop matched sets of adaptations. Here, the evolution of one species causes adaptations in a second species. These changes in the second species then, in turn, cause new adaptations in the first species. This cycle of selection and response is called co-evolution. An example is the production of tetrodotoxin in the rough-skinned newt and the evolution of tetrodotoxin resistance in its predator, the common garter snake. In this predator-prey pair, an evolutionary arms race has produced high levels of toxin in the newt and correspondingly high levels of resistance in the snake."

Answer 7

Good Question, We are all dependent on each other. Kind of like Mans modern day society we built it together.

Answer 8

they evolve at the same time, for instance flowering plants evolved at the same time insects evolved. They dont evolve seperately, they evolve in unison.