De-evolution?

Question

There is "evidence" of evolution but are there any evidence of de-evolution. (Besides mankind)

Where the species returns to the original form.

Answer 1

"To their original form" -- not exactly. That's not how it works.

But, for example, some critters lose limbs their ancestor once had -- although usually tiny vestigial limbs remain.

'De-evolve' is not, I believe, a scientific concept.

Many parasites become simpler in structure, as they no longer need the apparati their ancestors did, and losing them has benefit in not wasting energy.

But they don't become like their ancestors. For instance, though dolphins and other marine mammals evolved from fish, they aren't fish-like. Evolution always works with what's there now. Dolphins' spines move up and down, not side-to-side, like fish.

I believe Stephen Jay Gould talks about this kind of stuff.

You might also go to UC Berkeley's Museum of Paleontology web site: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/

P.S. You've put this in the wrong section; it belongs in science somewhere.

Answer 2

i don't know, but i love ur screen name. *Wisdom* kewl