I don't know about Evolution having a direction, I think it's more of a process which follows whichever direction the environment dictates at the time, but I fully agree with Mokele's explanation of evolutionary dead-ends. I found it very helpful.

I think that something wich is named here as "dead-end evolution" exists.

I know only one example (difference than porifera) of species which maybe confirms this.

Have you ever heard about Latimeria chalumnae? Probably it hasn't changed a lot from around 60 milions years.

Sorry, if I failed and my example doesn't confirm this.

And sorry about my English because I don't speak it very well.

 

Mokele - your idea is great.

Edited November 11, 201015 yr by Lycaenid