Over evolutionary time, many cave-dwelling organisms have lost their eyes. Tapeworms have lost their digestive systems. Whales have lost their hind limbs. How can natural selection account for these losses?

Question

Accepted Answer

Under particular circumstances that persisted for long periods, each of these structures presented greater costs than benefits.

Answer

Natural selection cannot account for losses, only for innovations.

Answer

by the principle of use and disuse

Answer

These organisms had the misfortune to experience harmful mutations, which caused the loss of these structures.

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Over evolutionary time, many cave-dwelling organisms have lost their eyes. Tapew...

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