Most biologists believe that adaptation occurs through the accumulation of small mutations. However, some argue that macromutations (ie large-scale mutations) are responsible. This theory has generally been disregarded as the major explanation for adaptation, since a mutation on this scale is regarded as more likely to be detrimental than beneficial (eg. a frog with eyes on the inside of its mouth).
I visited Ripley's museum in Niagara Falls recently, and I got to see firsthand some of these oddities. I took some photos as I ventured through the facility (which, from the outside, resembles a fallen Empire State Building, including a defiant King Kong up top):
![](http://static.flickr.com/42/104901858_9aab4035d0_m.jpg)
![](http://static.flickr.com/38/104901857_49385516ee_m.jpg)
![](http://static.flickr.com/36/104903703_150105efa7_m.jpg)
![](http://static.flickr.com/34/104903702_c957026ee9_m.jpg)
![](http://static.flickr.com/35/104902901_3d7bb74b6e_m.jpg)
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![](http://static.flickr.com/42/104900917_c986ce036a_m.jpg)
![](http://static.flickr.com/35/104901863_cbcd5cb956_m.jpg)
And here are a couple of fakes:
![](http://static.flickr.com/43/104902904_0f353b1f1f_m.jpg)
![](http://static.flickr.com/26/104902902_f620c5ebd2_m.jpg)
![](http://static.flickr.com/38/104900921_6bbdc36528_m.jpg)
Tags: macromutation, mutation, evolutionary biology, ripley's believe it or not.
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1 comment:
Yes Cyclopia is a real thing and the piglet is probably a genuine example. Humans with the condition die soon after birth. A quick image search for Cyclopia comes up with some bizarre pictures.
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