Redwood trees and evolution

Pseudoscience and the Paranormal
1

We have proof that redwood trees have 6 strands of DNA. This is impossible given evolution, for if this were the result of evolution, then all life would have this trait. If it is failure of evolution, then on evolutionary grounds, it wouldn’t exist. This leaves only technological intervention, and I claim proof of both malevolence and intelligence. Further I think that the fact of the threes shows that the universe expanding is going to continue until there is a terminus. At some point the tree will alter and its current form will shatter; this will happen because the effective subsidy that provides it with the ability to exist out of the Sun via hyperspace—which has to exist to permit the subsidy to happen—will run out. I wonder what the effect of the disaster will be, and how will it help to kill off the remaining humans?

Since we have to have a massive climatic difference when this form of subsidy stops, I also wonder if the current state of agriculture can continue. We have altered the plant based food supply through farmer breeding for crop increase. If this is also subsidized, then that too will simply cease to exist. In the light of this I wonder that the idea that there could be other evidence of non-human intelligence. Whatever they are, they don’t need to interfere with us in any direct manner. If there is other evidence, I feel confident that we will overlook that also.

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So, aliens. That clears it up.

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I understand that there is going to be disagreement over what caused them, but I did prefer to have a discussion since we have no means to state accurately what did cause them. I agree that I would prefer that we had an answer, but what do you think–given evolution as a barometer from which to decide where they came from—caused such an unlikely event? Rather than dismiss it out of hand because I don’t prefer the answer since it implies that something has a problem with us in that whatever it *is* isn’t giving interviews, looking to score points in a chat environment, and isn’t giving any clues as to the reasons it would cause redwoods.

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Why do you think it is so unlikely that evolution does not explain it?

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Do scientists have a theory of how this came about? (Alien intervention simply doesn’t sound convincing to me)

8:26 AM

Claude responded: Yes, scientists have a pretty solid natural explanation!

Yes, scientists have a pretty solid natural explanation! Based on the search results already retrieved:

The coast redwood’s ancestors all have paired (diploid) chromosomes, so researchers investigated how it evolved into a hexaploid. (Save the Redwoods League )

The leading theory involves a process called autopolyploidy — essentially, chromosome sets multiplying within a single ancestral lineage rather than through alien intervention (reassuringly). Phylogenetic analysis indicates that Sequoia sempervirens is an autopolyploid — meaning the hexaploidy arose from within a single ancestral species rather than from hybridization between different species. (NIH )

How does that actually happen? Occasionally during cell division, chromosomes fail to separate properly — a process called non-disjunction — and offspring end up with extra full sets of chromosomes. In plants especially, this can be surprisingly survivable and even advantageous. Aneuploidy (changes in chromosome number) occurs in redwoods, where occasionally a chromosome is lost or added, suggesting ongoing chromosomal flexibility in the species. (Twist Bioscience )

The prevailing view is that this hexaploidy has been a survival advantage rather than a liability. Redwoods may survive thanks in part to their unique polyploid genome — having six copies of each gene likely provides tremendous redundancy and resilience, allowing the trees to adapt to disease, stress, and environmental change over their extraordinarily long lifespans. (Twist Bioscience )

So it’s a well-understood natural mechanism, even if the end result — a tree nearly 400 feet tall with a genome nine times larger than ours — does seem almost otherworldly.

Indeed they are, long, long ago I was privileged to be able to spend some time getting to know one grove in particular and develop a personal connection with those giant. It’s tough hugging those tree, but the fascinating soft bark makes it fun to try.

Brings back wonderful memories of living in Wawona (Yosemite NP) a nice three hour hike up to the Mariposa Grove of Redwood. Even got to experience a couple days of working a wildfire line up there, back in '75ish.
Back then it was still, able bodied men showing up at the YNP office, registering and climbing on the truck. Without a doubt the most exhausting work I’ve ever done. The burning woods keeps one’s adrenaline running full steam, while the body and muscles still have their limitations. Out running one’s headlights comes to mind.

Like taking a exuberant sprint down the block in Silverton, only to discover you are nearly at 10’000 and the air is very thin, and it isn’t replenishing your body’s need, as one is sucking in air for all it’s worth, while worrying you might just drop dead right there.

Excuse the digression of an old man reminiscing, and rescuing this comment from simply being a cut and past.

Cheers

6

What subsidy?

I don’t know how much of a discussion we can have. But a good start might be to explain what that first quote is about? How you arrived at it? and, Do you have any evidence, or is this simply a mental exercise?

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