The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

brianprovost wrote: post #2

Could it be possible that avocados were just smaller then and are only the size they are now because they have been bred by humans? I didn't see any mention of avocado fossils or remains.

It does say the fruit has been changed by humans, so presumably there is some evidence supporting that.

>Back when the giant beasts roamed the earth, the avocado would’ve been a large seed with a small fleshy area—less attractive to smaller mammals such as ourselves. Through cultivation, humans have bulked up avocados so there is more flesh for us to eat.

Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#5

Post by tinco » Mon, Jun 03, 2019, 12:58 AM UTC

brianprovost wrote: post #2

Could it be possible that avocados were just smaller then and are only the size they are now because they have been bred by humans? I didn't see any mention of avocado fossils or remains.

If it was artificial selection, wouldn't the nut be smaller? All cultured fruit has really small nuts/seeds.

Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#6

Post by plorg » Mon, Jun 03, 2019, 1:05 AM UTC

It's never been 100% clear to me what the accepted timeline of human inhabitation of the American continents was, but it seems clearly possible (or likely?) that humans and other megafauna existed close together. Given that fact, it's entirely possible that the plant (and the others mentioned) were cultivated by human, and one megafauna was replaced by another.

Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#7

Post by maxerickson » Mon, Jun 03, 2019, 1:07 AM UTC

kissickas wrote: post #4

brianprovost wrote: post #2

Could it be possible that avocados were just smaller then and are only the size they are now because they have been bred by humans? I didn't see any mention of avocado fossils or remains.

It does say the fruit has been changed by humans, so presumably there is some evidence supporting that. >Back when the giant beasts roamed the earth, the avocado would’ve been a large seed with a small fleshy area—less attractive to smaller mammals such as ourselves. Through cultivation, humans have bulked up avocados so there is more flesh for us to eat.

It also mentions that there are still wild varieties around.

Those could still show some effects of cultivation though, it depends on how much information there is too study and so on.

Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#8

Post by hetman » Mon, Jun 03, 2019, 1:10 AM UTC

brianprovost wrote: post #2

Could it be possible that avocados were just smaller then and are only the size they are now because they have been bred by humans? I didn't see any mention of avocado fossils or remains.

The article indicates the opposite:

"The fruit had a larger pit and less flesh than today’s avocados..."

Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#9

Post by Psyonic » Mon, Jun 03, 2019, 1:11 AM UTC

tinco wrote: post #5

brianprovost wrote: post #2

Could it be possible that avocados were just smaller then and are only the size they are now because they have been bred by humans? I didn't see any mention of avocado fossils or remains.

If it was artificial selection, wouldn't the nut be smaller? All cultured fruit has really small nuts/seeds.

peach pits are pretty big

Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#10

Post by empath75 » Mon, Jun 03, 2019, 1:22 AM UTC

plorg wrote: post #6

It's never been 100% clear to me what the accepted timeline of human inhabitation of the American continents was, but it seems clearly possible (or likely?) that humans and other megafauna existed close together. Given that fact, it's entirely possible that the plant (and the others mentioned) were cultivated by human, and one megafauna was replaced by another.

I’m pretty sure the consensus is that humans wiped them out.