Darwin’s theory chiefly explains the origin of adaptations, not species

Evidence

Indeed, Darwin’s proposal is much better seen as a theory about the origin of adaptations than as a theory about the origin of species. — Diego Gambetta, Trust - Making and Breaking Cooperative…, 263

Categorization

• DEFINE: Reframes natural selection away from species creation toward adaptive design, clarifying the biological mechanism.
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Diego Gambetta, Trust - Making and Breaking Cooperative…, 263
• XREF: connects to: Sabertooth adaptations evolved independently in at least four mammal lineages. — Emlen, Douglas J, Animal Weapons_ The Evolution of Battle, 80; Natural selection stabilizes at local optima, as armor-plate shifts in sticklebacks show — Emlen, Douglas J, Animal Weapons_ The Evolution of Battle, 180

Broader Connections

• Sabertooth adaptations evolved independently in at least four mammal lineages. #exemplifies (0.85) — Emlen, Douglas J, Animal Weapons_ The Evolution of Battle, 80
• Natural selection stabilizes at local optima, as armor-plate shifts in sticklebacks show #exemplifies (0.80) — Emlen, Douglas J, Animal Weapons_ The Evolution of Battle, 180