- Anything Else -

Cool thread!

In Reply to: Definition of a Pest posted by Kevin Dempsey on April 05, 1999 at 16:52:54:

: Hmmm... interesting point. I think most naturalists and biologists would argue that the key to being a "successful" species is stability.

Yes, a very interesting point. If we use the criteria of adaptability and proliferation, then most viruses have us beat hands down. Coleoptera (several species of beetles)and particularly the ubiquitous cockroach (Saint Gulik!) are clear winners in the proliferation and adaptability departments. If we follow only these criteria, then "Indian corn" ( Zea mays) is among the most "superior" species on the planet. From a certain perspective, it's reasonable to say that over the past 500 years or so, Maize has successfully colonized most of the world. Since it took humans nearly 120 thousand years to do the same thing, I really can't see much cause for bragging on our part! ;-)
-Cool thread!
Floyd

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