Even among non-humans, individuals act to the detriment of their species

Even among non-humans, individuals act to the detriment of their species ››
As carnivorous species evolved in North America, they appear to have undergone increasing dietary specialization. For example, the trend towards larger size and dominant armaments like canine teeth all contributed to the success of individual animals. This may have been the cause of their eventual extinction: hyperspecialization and large energy requirement meant that, in the long run, the species was at risk to changes in the environment, prey intelligence, and so on. There are obvious parallels in humans.
[Permalink…07-Nov-04…Deserving memes…]

Comments are now closed for this entry. Try email instead. Thanks.

Movable Type 4.1 | common syndicated-feed-icon.gif feed (add to Google) (validate it) | Creative Commons license | xml sitemap | xhtml1.0 | css | File under: microtome, abuses of the

ortholog.com: commonplacings, preponed futures, brainworthy memes, paradigm fragments, rigorously conceived musings, gists, free association on free science, stuff I have nowhere else to put. All the opinions and interpretations are my own. This site exists neither for nor despite you, but you are more than welcome to read it.