Expert: Walter Hintz - 3/22/2010

Question
Mr. Hintz,

I know you were talking about Bergmann's rule the last time we talked but right now I have a question on Cope's rule. However, I will try to look into Bergmann's rule and tell you what I think the next time I e-mail you. Anyway, according to Cope's rule, evolution will cause organisms to get bigger over time. I can see where this rule is coming from especially if we all started out as single-celled organisms. However, I thought the whole point of evolution was to make sure the best suited organism survives. I didn't think it had anything to do with size, unless of course the size made a difference in the organism's survival. What do you think?

Mark  
P.S. Did you watch the first night of LIFE on Discovery Channel?

Answer
The trouble with biological "rules" is that they are generalizations with exceptions. The elephant is the exception to Bergmans rule. They are not laws. Also note that Copes rule states that evolution "tends" to bring an increase is size. Remember also that the terms big or small are arbitrary.
I am taping the life series on my DVR but have not seen it yet