----- Original Message -----
From: A Menez <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, May 14, 1999 8:56 PM
Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] Rebuttal to "Do Truly Rare Species Exist?"
 
 
> You have to remember that the word 'fittest' has a very specific meaning
in
> evolution. It does not mean fit as in the lay sense. Fitness is measured
by the
> amount of progeny an individual produces NOT how healthy, strong etc etc
that
> individual is. The term 'survival of the fittest' is a term that has done
more
> to confuse the layman about evolutionary thinking than any other. Those
> interested will want to read up Fisher's classic work about genetics and
> evolution where fitness is given in mathematical terms.
>
> Alex
 
Alex I assume you mean Darwinian fitness, described thus:
 
"Also called Darwinian fitness. Biol. the genetic contribution of an
individual to the next generation's gene pool relative to the average for
the population, usually measured by the number of offspring or close kin
that survive to reproductive age.the ability of a population to maintain or
increase its numbers in succeeding generations."
 
Here are some of the many other definitions of the word, as I used it - I
was not referring to the scientific or biological definition.
 
fit, adj., fit·ter, fit·test, v., fit·ted or fit, fit·ting, n. -adj.
 
*  adapted or suited; appropriate
*  qualified or competent
*  in good physical condition; in good health
*  to be adapted to or suitable for (a purpose, object, occasion, etc.).
*  to be proper or becoming for.
*  to be suitable or proper.
 
-Syn. 1. suitable, apt, corresponding, meet, applicable, apropos. 2.
fitting, befitting. 5. healthy, hale, hardy, strong, robust.
 
Sylvia S. Edwards
Huntsville, Alabama
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