Fair enough, Steve

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Crotalidae Forum ]

Posted by David L. Martin on July 17, 2002 at 10:41:32:

In Reply to: David, I think he's right posted by steve jones on July 16, 2002 at 14:56:52:

Then let me try to be a little clearer. Before
we can have an "argument" on the subject of
snake size, long before we reach any conclusions
at all, it seems to me we have to look at some
data on the subject. The question before us is
"Which species is larger?" What to do? Collect
some sort of sample, I guess. Measure something
that we can call "size." SVL, total length, body
mass, something. Construct a size-class
distribution. If the question "Which species is
larger?" has any meaning at all, it seems that
the answer must come from those data, somehow.
I see no alternative. Long before we can draw
conclusions like "this species is larger than
that species," we will have to look at those
data.

You say you think I'm assuming that they "reach
the same length, at the same percentage rate per
given population." I assure you I am not.
There is no point in assuming such a thing,
except to clarify an argument. We have to look
at data. It does not help us to say, "atrox is
larger than adamanteus. That explains why there
are more large atrox than adamanteus." We have
to look at data. We have to think more clearly
about what it means to "be larger." I hope that
is not jumping to a conclusion.

I am still waiting to hear where we start.

Follow Ups:

Am I missing something here? steve jones 07/17/02 (14)
- I think we're makin progress, Steve David L. Martin 07/18/02 (13)
  - More Heat than Light Byron Larkin 07/18/02 (12)
    - Johnny flame off David L. Martin 07/18/02 (11)
      - Oh No! Byron larkin 07/18/02 (10)
        
        By all means David L. Martin 07/18/02 (9)
        
        I think he just did! steve jones 07/18/02 (8)
        
        Yup David L. Martin 07/18/02 (7)
        
        Not Texas but..... Rich G. 07/19/02 (1)
        
        Me like data David L. Martin 07/19/02 (0)
        
        I can tell you joe 07/18/02 (4)
        
        Re: I can tell you I hear it all the time Buzz 07/18/02 (3)
        
        hehehe buzzzz coming out of the woodwork joe 07/18/02 (2)
        
        Re: hehehe buzzzz coming out of the woodwork Buzz 07/18/02 (1)
        
        back then all I drank was coca cola, joe 07/19/02 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Then let me try to be a little clearer. Before : we can have an "argument" on the subject of : snake size, long before we reach any conclusions : at all, it seems to me we have to look at some : data on the subject. The question before us is : "Which species is larger?" What to do? Collect : some sort of sample, I guess. Measure something : that we can call "size." SVL, total length, body : mass, something. Construct a size-class : distribution. If the question "Which species is : larger?" has any meaning at all, it seems that : the answer must come from those data, somehow. : I see no alternative. Long before we can draw : conclusions like "this species is larger than : that species," we will have to look at those : data. : You say you think I'm assuming that they "reach : the same length, at the same percentage rate per : given population." I assure you I am not. : There is no point in assuming such a thing, : except to clarify an argument. We have to look : at data. It does not help us to say, "atrox is : larger than adamanteus. That explains why there : are more large atrox than adamanteus." We have : to look at data. We have to think more clearly : about what it means to "be larger." I hope that : is not jumping to a conclusion. : I am still waiting to hear where we start.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Crotalidae Forum ]

KINGSNAKE.COM

Enjoy all our content free of charge with a user account that gives you full access to every feature. For added visibility, paid options are available - post in our Classifieds, showcase your business with Banner Ads or a Directory listing, promote reptile events, and more.

Fair enough, Steve

KINGSNAKE.COM

Quick Links

Community

Legal & Safety

Support