Darwin-L Message Log 8:100 (April 1994)

Academic Discussion on the History and Theory of the Historical Sciences

This is one message from the Archives of Darwin-L (1993–1997), a professional discussion group on the history and theory of the historical sciences.

Note: Additional publications on evolution and the historical sciences by the Darwin-L list owner are available on SSRN.

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<8:100>From LANGDON@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU  Wed Apr 27 12:13:48 1994

Date: Wed, 27 Apr 1994 12:13:48 -0500
From: "JOHN LANGDON"  <LANGDON@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU>
To: darwin-l@ukanaix.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: Vitamin C

Loss of an expensive metabolic pathway from lack of need may
or may not result from natural selection-- the charges of
Lamarckianism are unfair. However, there may be another
explanation. Many vitamins are toxic in excessive doses-- e.g.
hypervitaminosis A is lethal. I have read that excess vitamin
C has side effects such as diarrhea. Can anyone elaborate on
this? If excess vitamin has such a detrimental effect, one can
predict suppression of its synthesis in animals whose diets are
naturally high in the vitamin-- such as some small-bodied
frugivores.

JOHN H. LANGDON                email   LANGDON@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY          FAX  (317) 788-3569
UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS     PHONE (317) 788-3447
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46227

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