Rod, we used to think that DNA built the creature, but in fact the basic body plan is in the (if I recall correctly) Developmental Gene Regulatory Network, or DGRN. That's kind of mysterious, but appears to be embedded in the membranes of embryonic cells. DNA manufactures the right protein "bricks", then DGRN puts them together to make the tissues & organs that become a chicken, frog, fish, or human being.
Which is the reason why, for all the adaptations & mutations we see, basic body plans are immutable: the DGRN is highly intolerant of change. In fact, major changes are very harmful, usually fatal.
So we aren't gonna change a smallmouth bass into a pike or carp, much less something other than a fish, regardless of how hard we try. But we can explore the built in adaptations designed to help the organism survive changing conditions, like maybe a larger jaw if the only prey is large, or slightly more streamlined form to escape intense predation from, say, muskie or pike. Some adaptations will doubtless be of interest to pondmeisters, such as increased aggression and faster growth. Sunil brought up this idea, and I think he's on to something. Love to see some research into this possibility!
Last edited by anthropic; 10/17/21 08:17 AM.