Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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Trilobites and Sea Slugs, Equal Their Accumulation of Species Numbers. Five million years ago, Trilobites evolved onto the planet. They endured almost 300 million years And, given that time span, evolved into 25,000 species. Today, we have a present group which has equaled that species number: It is the Sea Slugs, related to our common garden 'pest'. But far more elaborate, fending off aquatic predators from their soft body parts, By warning with incredibly colorful hues and by ingesting poisonous plants, Which yield them very unpalatable to the lurking predators. Time and evolutionary success, is the formula for the huge numbers-- Each species having time to evolve into an ever-distinct niche. Well, Homo evolved into several different specific variations, But we, Homo sapiens, are the only remaining species of the group. Might we extrapolate something from this outcome? No longer do we have fellow species to challenge us in various niches. It is clear we did not diverge enough, creating fierce competition, (Perhaps also because of powerful brains and strong customs), While these other two groups, Trilobites and Sea Slugs, Diversified into contemporary life styles and niches, But did not evolve so closely that competition increased. We, Homo sapiens, have evolved as a singular genus and species, But will our future be to overwhelm all other life on our Earth, Or will our wisdom prevail, having a benevolent conservation approach Towards our fellow interacting life-partners on this, our only planet? Frank Maurer 21 December 2025 1815 Hours.