Interplanetary transmissions of life in an evolutionary context

Abstract

The theory of lithopanspermia proposes the natural exchange of organisms between solar system bodies through meteorites. The focus of this theory comprises three distinct stages: planetary ejection, interplanetary transit and planetary entry. However, it is debatable whether organisms transported within the ejecta can survive all three stages. If the conjecture is granted, that life can indeed be safely transmitted from one world to another, then it is not only a topic pertaining to planetary science but also biological sciences. Hence, these stages are only the first three factors of the equation. The other factors for successful lithopanspermia are the quality, quantity and evolutionary strategy of the transmitted organisms. When expanding into new environments, invading organisms often do not survive in the first attempt and usually require several attempts through propagule pressure to obtain a foothold. There is a crucial difference between this terrestrial situation and the one brought about by lithopanspermia. While invasive species on Earth repeatedly enters a new habitat, a species pragmatically arrives on another solar system body only once; thus, an all-or-nothing response will be in effect. The species must survive in the first attempt, which limits the probability of survival. In addition, evolution sets a boundary through the existence of an inverse proportionality between the exchanges of life between two worlds, thus further restricting the probability of survival. However, terrestrial populations often encounter unpredictable and variable environmental conditions, which in turn necessitates an evolutionary response. Thus, one evolutionary mode in particular, bet hedging, is the evolutionary strategy that best smooth out this inverse proportionality.