Editing 2314: Carcinization
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | As | + | {{incomplete|Created by a VACUUM CRAB. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} |
+ | As Megan is telling Cueball, separate species of animals have evolved into "crab-like" forms at different times. Naturalists who noticed the tendency gave it the name {{w|Carcinisation|carcinization}}. | ||
It is a specific form of {{w|convergent evolution}}, where differing families of animals (in this case, nominally across the {{w|crustacea}}) develop a tendency towards developing a 'crab' bodyplan to a greater degree than their origins would suggest. A similar process has created several varieties of {{w|river dolphin}} with similar adaptations to their environments, despite being 'stranded' offshoots of different forerunner pelagic species. | It is a specific form of {{w|convergent evolution}}, where differing families of animals (in this case, nominally across the {{w|crustacea}}) develop a tendency towards developing a 'crab' bodyplan to a greater degree than their origins would suggest. A similar process has created several varieties of {{w|river dolphin}} with similar adaptations to their environments, despite being 'stranded' offshoots of different forerunner pelagic species. | ||
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Carl Linnaeus even initially included all Crustacea under the 'Cancer' genus (using the Latin name for crabs), and his taxonomic classification has been heavily refined as further knowledge has come to light, in order to reveal this phenomenon. | Carl Linnaeus even initially included all Crustacea under the 'Cancer' genus (using the Latin name for crabs), and his taxonomic classification has been heavily refined as further knowledge has come to light, in order to reveal this phenomenon. | ||
− | Apparently this principle is much stronger in the webcomic than in real life, as shortly after being told this, Megan notices that Cueball (not a crustacean!) has himself turned into a crab. This isn't really evolution as we know it | + | Apparently this principle is much stronger in the webcomic than in real life, as shortly after being told this, Megan notices that Cueball (not a crustacean!) has himself turned into a crab. This isn't really evolution as we know it, which refers to gradual changes in a species across generations. What happens to Cueball is more like a transformation, but it could still be called 'carcinization', since he becomes crab-like. |
− | Cueball's sudden transformation is perhaps explained by the title text, that "Nature abhors a vacuum and anything that's not a crab". The text is a reference to Aristotle's {{w|Horror_vacui_(physics)|Horror vacui}}, a statement about how empty space tends to be immediately refilled by surrounding things, so vacuums seem to be impossible to maintain. As does "not being a crab", it seems | + | Cueball's sudden transformation is perhaps explained by the [[title text]], that "Nature abhors a vacuum and anything that's not a crab". The text is a reference to Aristotle's {{w|Horror_vacui_(physics)|Horror vacui}}, a statement about how empty space tends to be immediately refilled by surrounding things, so vacuums seem to be impossible to maintain. As does "not being a crab", it seems. |
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==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | :[Cueball and Megan are walking next to each other towards the left | + | {{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} |
+ | :[Cueball and Megan are walking next to each other towards the left.] | ||
:Megan: Have you heard of "carcinization"? | :Megan: Have you heard of "carcinization"? | ||
:Megan: The tendency of nature to evolve things into crabs. | :Megan: The tendency of nature to evolve things into crabs. | ||
:Cueball: Oh? | :Cueball: Oh? | ||
− | :[ | + | :[Same scene] |
:Megan: Yeah, the basic "crab" design has evolved separately a number of times. | :Megan: Yeah, the basic "crab" design has evolved separately a number of times. | ||
:Cueball: Evolution just loves making crabs, I guess! | :Cueball: Evolution just loves making crabs, I guess! | ||
− | :[Narrower panel | + | :[Narrower panel - Only Megan is seen, still walking, and appearing to shrug.] |
:Megan: Apparently! | :Megan: Apparently! | ||
− | :[Two smaller | + | :[Two smaller panels, one above the other. The first panel shows Megan continuing to walk along. The second shows Megan turning and looking back to see where Cueball has gone.] |
− | :[Megan has | + | :[Megan has stopped walking and is looking at a small crab scuttling along on the ground, which Cueball apparently evolved into.] |
:Megan: Oh no | :Megan: Oh no | ||
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
− | + | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | |
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | ||
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[[Category:Animals]] | [[Category:Animals]] | ||
[[Category:Biology]] | [[Category:Biology]] | ||
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