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here are my personal observations as a botanist and a lifetime of commercial greenhouse operation.

there are intergeneric crosses in the plant word . these are rare but do exist. given billions of years, certainly these crosses would occur in nature, resulting in new species. yes, new species.

i have battled insects, that in a few short generations, become oblivious to the most toxic of sprays, and some (thrips) develop tendencies to move their young to places of safety until those sprays have dried.

and the ubiquitous apple tree, denied the natural defense of evolution,
cloned,(grafted) exactly the same genetic makeup, year on year generation upon generation. meanwhile the insects and disease pathogens who prey upon it, evolve yes i said evolve to thwart ever increasing applications of ever more toxic chemicals and expensive cultural practices.

the commercial varieties of apple tree is now the most sprayed economic crop in the world. these trees are helplessly dependent on the orchardist.

undeniable proof of evolution? certainly not. but to see these things in their progress is definitely an indication that an animal could,over generations develop a longer and longer neck to access hard to reach edible foliage.

of course, i can see why i should discard this experience in the face of your gut feelings and one chapter of a book you read.