Re: I've been challenged for specific transitional fossils

I'm afraid that I can't help you with the fossil record, but I just
wanted to say that I think this person is unduly shifting the burden of
proof onto you. He already accepts that species can change, and so it
stands to reason that a large accumulation of changes will amount to
speciation, i.e. "macroevolution" or change above the species level.

Furthermore, why does he restrict you to the fossil record for
examples? Why won't he accept examples of speciation that we observe
today, both in the wild and in the lab?

http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-speciation.html

Lastly, why does he demand 3 examples? Shouldn't 1 example of
speciation occurring be enough to prove that speciation is, in fact,
possible? Not that I think you'll have trouble finding 3 examples, it's
just that in principle there is no reason to ask for 3 if you are
confident that not even 1 could be found.

Also, expect some quibbling about the definition of the word "species."
If you give him an example of fruit fly speciation, they'll come back
at you with "well, it's still a fruit fly!" You have to get real
specific with the term "species" so that they don't move the goalposts
on you. If he pulls that on you, then explain to him that it is a
different species of fruit fly, and speciation is what you were asked
to demonstrate. Tell him that if he will admit that speciation will
occur, then you can move on to genera, and that is where the fossil
record will help you the most.

.

Relevant Pages

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