Survival Of The Less Fit

Nature does not always favour only the fittest though Darwin and Wallace’s theory of evolution says that only the fittest animals and plants will survive.

The less fit, fit and the fittest species or specimens within a species are more like the parts of a pyramid.

The base of the pyramid is full of less fits; the middle tier is occupied by the fit and the topmost layer by the fittest ones. So, for the survival of the fittest, the fit and the less fit are also needed before the fittest can reach their peak. All the stages of development must be related to each other by some genetic linkages.

The process of evolution may take millions of years for the mega species like sequoia trees, whales, dolphins, tigers, rhinos, hippos, etc.

But smaller species like the fruit-flies found in rotten fruit could evolve certain traits in a matter of years as they can produce many generations in a short span of time.

However, their theory does not apply to small populations or stray individuals. Recently, on a trip to Al Warsan Lake in Dubai, I found a juvenile Indian moorhen that had a deformed foot.

It appeared to be a baby from the last breeding season, March to June. So, this particular specimen was at least three months old. It was faring quite well along with its other two siblings in perfect health, showing that on an individual level both the unfit and just fit can do well.