I don't get it, all I'm doing is supporting the cold climate model of viviparity. I'm not saying evolution has occurred, I'm saying it will occur if the environmental pressures remain. The first steps of a new phase of evolution for this lizard if you will.
Why does everyone seem to keep think that I've said evolution has already occurred? I'm saying it is likely to occur in the future.
I'm sticking by the cold climate model because it is well supported already. We've observed this evolution several times before in extremely similar lizards, which has been very strongly linked as the result of the cold environment.
"Evolutionary origins of viviparity among the squamate reptiles (which skinks are) are strongly associated with cold climates, and cold environmental temperatures are thought to be an important selective force behind the transition from egg-laying to live-bearing."
(source)
Cold environments (as well as several other factors) are already strongly linked with the evolution of vivparity. My whole point is that if the cold environments persist, then these lizards will eventually evolve to become viviparous as a result of the selective pressures. As I've mentioned in a previous post, many examples of this exist.
Slimebeast is saying that this doesn't take place, that the mechanism for retaining the eggs will not lead to an evolution. That's what his jumper analogy was about. Or at any rate he's saying that the selective pressure of the cold environment will not lead to an evolution in this species, which goes against the already strongly supported cold climate hypothesis.
Essay Pro