Freak Coconut

Photo by Marlo R Rotor

Freaks do occur in nature. They are individual members of a species "gone stray."

A number of things can happen to a freak. It succumbs early and will not pass on the bad gene to the next generation - which is an advantage of the species.

A freak may be the result of extreme environmental condition, such as this coconut growing on a decapitated coconut as it seems. The explanation to this however is that a typhoon severely damaged the tree. From its injury roots formed. It is like marcotting. Injured stems tend to produce roots to augment food and water supply, and give a second life to the plant, or that branch which may become a scion. This acquired character is not heritable.

Third, a freak is a result of mutation, which means that the chromosomes which contain the genes - and ultimately the DNA - suffered of irreversible change, and therefore miscoding of the DNA. Here a freak is part of speciation, the formation of a new species. There is no guarantee though, if the resulting mutation is favorable or not to the organism. In any case, if the altered gene is passed on to the next generation the "freak" trait will reappear. Which brings to question, "When is a freak, a freak?" Which becomes academic if it becomes persistent in the succeeding generations.

It is Nature's tool in "purifying" the species. Albinism for one - the lack of melanin skin pigment reduces the chance that the carrier will survive and carry on the gene in the next generation. It is Nature's mysterious way of homeostasis, the dynamic balance in the living world - the biosphere.~

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