Re: All this flying talk---then comes the why..or something

[Dinogeorge <Dinogeorge@aol.com>]

In a message dated 98-04-13 11:48:31 EDT, padron@online.no writes:

<< Yes, of course. But in this case, it was avian flight (I wrote that...(i 
 think)). Imagine if we should discuss why every flying creature has 
 evolved flight!! hmmm...but...why has actually insects evolved flight?
 heh! >>

The best evidence for the role of ornithopting, specifically, as a means to
escape predators is that flightlessness in modern birds typically occurs in
the absence of predators (such as on isolated islands). Once there are no
predators, the need for powered flight is diminished to the point where
flightlessness becomes more advantageous.