This is actually an argument in favor of protecting them from extinction;
they probably evolved this plasticity in order to adapt quickly to changing
environmental conditions, so if we let them go extinct we've extinguished
what could be the root of future adaptive radiation if the species spread
itself out. We're back to playing God (note to Rush!).
--Bruce Stallsmith
Huntsville, AL
>I do not believe that if given proper care, the C. diabolis that becomes a
>larger fish with better finnage stops being a C. diabolis. The harsh
>environment in which they naturally live, limits their full potential and
>the fish are merely surviving. Given a good environment the fish thrive
>and
>look much more beautiful. Do this experiment yourself. Take some guppies
>and raise half of them in a poor environment and the other half in a good
>environment. The result is that the two groups of fish will "look"
>different, but both will still be guppies. It is a shame that the C.
>diabolis are not given a chance to beautifully thrive in public aquaria.
>
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily
/ reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes
/ Association"
/ This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association
/ nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
/ subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to
/ nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to
/ nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead.
/ For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org
</x-flowed>