How does evolution explain symbiotic relationships between organisms?

Question

If two animals are dependent upon each other for their survival did they evolve at the same time some how knowing that they would need each other?

Answer 1

it doesn't, its a load of crap.

Answer 2

Symbiotic Evolution

Answer 3

Yes it is very possible they evolved at the same time. If a species found that they benefited from a symbiotic relationship, but only some of the species had the properties necessary, then if it was truly a symbiotic relationship, these would be the organisms most likely to survive and pass on that trait.

That is just one reason, there are others that could explain symbiotic relationships (such as forced migration, for one, where they were introduced to each other and didn't necessarily evolve with each other.)

Answer 4

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RE:
How does evolution explain symbiotic relationships between organisms?
If two animals are dependent upon each other for their survival did they evolve at the same time some how knowing that they would need each other?

Answer 5

They could have undergone co-evolution in which 2 organisms will evolve with each other so that both species can survive.

Typically what happens in these situations is just luck; somehow the 2 species cross paths and they develop traits similar to each other. For example I remember reading about how some bats in Hawaii with really long beak-like mouths fit almost perfectly into a species of flowers that the bats use for food. This is the most likely situation for what happened in terms of how they could have become so alike.

But the idea that 2 species that evolved at the same time could have become dependant on each other to me seems unlikely, the thing is when 2 species are undergoing noticable evolution they likely have different requirements and prefer anything from different climates, different food sources or something else that could directly affect their evolution. One would likely have to evolve before the other one in order for co-evolution to take place.

Answer 6

evolution doesn't require knowledge of the future. mutation and selection occur whether or not the organisms know about it (so far as we know only humans know about it, but even so we can't influence it all that much). symbiosis is no different. initially it is probably just a lucky accident that doesn't confer a huge advangtage necessarily. but once this happens natural selection can favor co-adaptation, so that the symbiotic relationship becomes much more advantageous over time. eventually it would appear as if the organisms were made for each other.

Answer 7

Co-evolution explains the process by which living things adapt to each other. It does not go towards an end result, but is simply a process of favorable interaction. If animals eat seeds and transport some undigested seeds to another location, the plant prospers. Plants that are cross-pollinated by insects or hummingbirds do better than those that wind-pollinate. Plants that can attract animals with rewards of fruit or nectar do better. The animals that can best benefit from the reward do better. Over generations, the relationship develops. That is co-evolution.

Answer 8

Co-evolution is the correct answer.

Two organisms that have a slightly useful relationship with each other, can evolve together to become completely dependent on each other.

For example, a specific plant may be pollinated by many insects, and a specific insect may pollinate many plants. But over time each may specialize ... evolve in ways that become more useful to the other ... until eventually the two are *dependent* only on each other.

Why would that happen? If the insect is a really good pollinator (better than other insects in the region), then those members of that plant species that best attract that particular insect, will do better from generation to generation than those members of the same species that are not quite as attractive. In fact, as the insect moves from plant to plant (picking the ones it is most attracted too), then it is effectively *breeding* the attractive plants to other attractive plants.

So you get a loop. The plant slowly evolves to be more appetizing to that insect, and the insect evolves to be better at pollinating that plant.

After thousands of generations each may become quite dependent on the other.

Answer 9

An animal's that formed strong bonds with other animals were perhaps more likely to survive. As animals that did so became more prevalent they may also have developed a "need" for the other animal through saving energy by eliminating traits that were uselessly wasting energy when having the trait in each partner.

Answer 10

The beauty about a naturalistic and atheistic evolutionary creation is that it is not supported by an intelligence and that there is no need for intelligence in order to believe in it. Atheist evolutionist Dr Dawkins candidly admits that an atheist brain would be too badly screwed up to be the creation of an intelligent entity

Answer 11

For two different species to evolve a symbiotic relationship by chance mutations that benefit both. Seems extremly unlikely to me. It is extremely unlikely that one would find beneficial mutations for itself! The fact is beneficial mutations are almost impossible to find happening today! Millions of harmful mutations. Next to no benefitual.