In simple terms, this quote suggests that natural selection, a key mechanism in evolutionary biology, primarily acts by weeding out less advantageous traits or species rather than actively creating new ones. It emphasizes the process through which organisms that are better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully compared to others, leading over time to changes within populations.
To delve deeper into this idea, one can see that natural selection is essentially a filter that operates based on existing genetic variation in a population. This means it does not conjure up new traits or species out of thin air; instead, it works by selecting those variations that already exist and are more beneficial for survival under given environmental conditions. The quote also hints at the idea that once advantageous features become prevalent, natural selection may help maintain them rather than eliminating them further.
The author of this quote is Lynn Margulis, a renowned American biologist known for her work on symbiosis and evolution. Her contributions have significantly impacted our understanding of how complex cells evolved through the integration of simpler organisms, challenging traditional views on genetic variation and its role in evolutionary processes.
