Abstract
Animals living under "constant" environmental conditions have been hypothesized to lose genetic variability. If so, this would account for a lack of adaptation to changing environments and hence be responsible for the significant mass extinctions of the fossil record. However, eight modern deep-sea species (1,000-2,000 m) in as constant a major environment as exists on earth, have as much genetic variability as do shallow marine and terrestrial species (20%-50% of the loci polymorphic). Accordingly, species do not appear to lose genetic variability as the environment becomes "constant," and this explanation of the cause for mass extinction fails.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
