The millions of species on this planet that arose via speciation? Speciation is the product of what happens on a generational basis, they are interlinked.
Speciation is not normally about suddenly developing new traits (we were talking about whether genetic material is lost in nature, not whether it is gained although the latter, if it happens, does appear to be the blue moon event you refer to), it's about selection from existing genes leading to loss of other characteristics. Darwins finches were not an example of genetic information increasing but of it being lost and/or expressed less. Dog breeds are another example through artificial selection.
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The Galápagos finches are often touted as a great example of an adaptive radiation, showing how new species can arise through evolutionary processes. A new article in Nature by Galápagos finch researchers Peter and Rosemary Grant, “Speciation undone,” confirms what we we’ve said here in the past — Galápagos finch species are capable of interbreeding — but adds a new twist: they’re interbreeding so much that in multiple cases, two “species” may be fusing back into one species. "
Nature: Galápagos Finch “Species” Can Interbreed | Evolution News
There are several clues to discussions we might have that would enable accurate statements to be made. We ARE out of context - none of this has any relevance to bees. But its interesting all the same.
First the Galápagos finches are not different species. In fact there's plenty of argument about the ways we record species (and subspecies). The usual dividing line for species is the ability to interbreed. But just because different 'species' are not interbreeding doesn't necessarily mean they can't - often they are simply choosing not to, in which case they are subspecies. This is the case with Darwin's finches; they have each adapted to their separate island environment, have different features, and when bought together generally don't mate. But if push comes to shove they will create hybrids.
It is a brilliant example of the evolution of what I've called 'landraces' in honeybees; local adaption resulting being attunement to the local environment. Bees don't _seem_ to fussy about inter-mating, although there is interesting speculation if not more about (speaking of push coming to shove) free-living bees being picky.
That's not a legitimate inference- Honeybees have met parasites before, whether they've met a parasite like varroa before is not well documented. 'probably' is speculation.
That they will have met a wide range of parasites in the past is pretty obvious. That they will have held on to the tools that deal with them would be expected. They clearly have a toolkit, and have adapted to varroa by bringing up those tools that work best. Personally I wouldn't call any of that speculation. Marla Spivak has spoken of how any apiary (ie all bee races and hybrids) can raise, I believe, VSH, in a population. My impression, and expectation is that uncapping and recapping the same.
Quite which selection of tools, and which 'settings' [1] choosing from among these, general high hygienic behaviours, grooming, crushing varroa, undertaking and floor-cleaning - and perhaps others unknown and subtle - is best at any time can only be discovered in populations free to locate them through natural selection. A la the Galapagos finches.
[1] Think EQ on a good music system.
