How many species are presently on the endangered or threatened list, and how many of these have evolved to accomodate changing climate or environmental conditions?
by 
Anonymous
ANSWERS: 2
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First question? I don't know. But how many species evolved to meet changing climates? All of them - not only endangered ones. The Earth's climate is in a constant state of flux - from tropics near the poles to global ice ages. Of course evolution is slow and if the climate changes quickly enough - say following a comet strike - then many species will not be able to keep up and will dies out. But (perhaps wrongly) I assume you are asking a loaded question about why current species of, say, endangered Tigers don't evolve to meet current conditions and thus flourish in today's environment. As I said above - evolution is slow. But also - a species doesn't really evolve. A population splits off (because geographical or other barrier) and stops breeding with the rest. Eventually, as environments in each area change the populations drift apart until they are no longer able to breed (should they happen to meet again). And a new species is born.
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I know this isn't really what you were asking, but it's also worth noting that there are probably millions of undiscovered species still on the planet, and well over 95% of every species that's ever existed have already gone extinct. So, you know, evolution isn't necessarily a get-out clause to extinction - if your times up then you're gone.
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