Europa and evolution

[CrusaderFrank]

Hypothetically, a probe to Europa finds that its seas are filed with jellyfish, coral, octopus, shrimp and other familiar creatures.

What impact would this have on the theory of evolution: support it ir destroy it?

 

[Jessica123]

Hypothetically, a probe to Europa finds that its seas are filed with jellyfish, coral, octopus, shrimp and other familiar creatures.

What impact would this have on the theory of evolution: support it ir destroy it?

It would destroy it! Such fully developed animals shouldn't be seen in two places. That would support the idea that there's a God.

Now there's a possibility that an impact could happen and some "virus" or small life forms from the earth could be flung into space ending up on Europa, but its evolution would be different....Different environment all together and so the life would evolve to be quite different.

 

[MisterBeale]

It wouldn't have any impact on evolution at all.

I imagine, due to the significantly less direct solar radiation, your hypothetical familiar morphologies of "jellyfish, coral, octopus, shrimp and other familiar creatures," would look different, but still be recognizable to us.


I imagine this not only could happen, but probably will happen, not only in this solar system if more than one place can support life, but will happen through out the universe.

Why should this be so? It is a basic principle known as Convergent Evolution.

It is why sharks and dolphins look similar. The number of examples of convergent evolution just here on Earth are so numerous, it should be expected that these same survival strategies will be found else where.

Anyone that studies exopolitics understand why most Aliens look the way they do.

Here is an example of a fish, mammal, reptile, and bird all evolving to fill the same ecological niche. So naturally, if the same conditions presented themselves on Europa, we should expect the same morphologies to evolve, but not necessarily the same genotypes.

 

[G.T.]

No impact

 

[CrusaderFrank]

No impact

You mean that creatures just naturally evolved similarly? It's all random and somehow similar creature inhabit 2 worlds?

 

[G.T.]

No impact

You mean that creatures just naturally evolved similarly? It's all random and somehow similar creature inhabit 2 worlds?

They live in a universe made of the same elements. So.... yeah, sure, I see no reason why not.

 

[IsaacNewton]

Physics and chemistry are not magic. The same laws that govern physics and chemistry on Earth are the same that govern them anywhere else in the universe that we know so far.

The one thing that WOULD have an impact is Europa is so far from the Sun compared to Earth that mutations caused by sunlight or other particles put out by the Sun would reach Europa in smaller quantities, so fewer mutations. It would take much long theoretically for the necessary number of mutations needed to evolve more complex life forms unless there were chemical catalysts that filled the gap. It took life on Earth approx. 2.5 billion years to cross over from single-celled organisms to multi-celled organisms.

Earth exists in a 'Goldilocks Zone', the sweet spot not too close or too far from the sun. Life will likely be found on other planets that reside in this Zone around other stars.