"Bob Weinberger" wrote in message
news:6yCli.11494$ZO4.9774@trndny05...

"Wolfgang" wrote in message
...

snip
Or, for that matter, why rely on mutation at all when any number of
well-understood (and, in various similar situations, well-documented)
environmental factors could easily account for the sudden problematic
burgeoning of a particular heretofore benign organism?

Wolfgang

I'm well aware of many of the theories that have been put forth - mutation
in place, increased UV light inhibiting the grazing invertebrates that
normally keep it in check, some unknown pollutant either stimulating it or
harming organisms that would normally keep it in check, global warming,
etc.-

I was certain that you were. That's what prompted me to wonder why you
singled out the theory you did.

but I hadn't heard the one I came up with, and its is about as plausible
as the others

Well, I don't think we're destined to agree on that point.

and equally difficult to prove or disprove.

Don't know a great deal about the others, but with the technology available
today this particular theory would be very easy (if time consuming) to test.

The difference is that its mine! 8).

Ah! The best reason of all!

Wolfgang