Peculiar Prey Ignored

ffbj · May 14, 2009

So this is an interesting find regarding variation is species. The study with birds and salamanders found that birds were likely to ignore variations from the norm in salamanders, which addresses one of the complaints concerning the theory of evolution. So there is an advantage to being different as you are less likely to be eaten.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512102555.htm

Squeek · May 14, 2009

You're also a lot less likely to be invited to parties. Maybe there's a connection?

Myrthos · May 14, 2009

If all the normal ones are eaten there will be only peculiar parties....

Sir Markus · May 14, 2009

Evolution works for predators AND prey.

JDR13 · May 14, 2009

Interesting how human nature is the complete opposite.

Prime Junta · May 14, 2009

I don't know about you, JDR, but I certainly work like the birds. For example, if I happened to catch an albino fish, or one with three eyes, I would probably be too weirded out by it to eat it, even if I knew rationally that the weirdness in no way affects its nutritional qualities.

pibbur · May 14, 2009

Prime Junta said:
I don't know about you, JDR, but I certainly work like the birds. For example, if I happened to catch an albino fish, or one with three eyes, I would probably be too weirded out by it to eat it, even if I knew rationally that the weirdness in no way affects its nutritional qualities.

Well, it could be part of a complex disorder, affecting a lot more than just the eyes.

JDR13 · May 15, 2009

Prime Junta said:
I don't know about you, JDR, but I certainly work like the birds. For example, if I happened to catch an albino fish, or one with three eyes, I would probably be too weirded out by it to eat it, even if I knew rationally that the weirdness in no way affects its nutritional qualities.

I wasn't talking specifically about food PJ. I'm referring to the way that humans like to target others that are different from themselves.

Prime Junta · May 15, 2009

Perhaps that's the same mechanism -- rejecting something that's different.

JDR13 · May 16, 2009

Prime Junta said:
Perhaps that's the same mechanism -- rejecting something that's different.

Didn't look at it from that angle.....good point. At least animals just ignore the odds one though, instead of trying to make their lives difficult.

Peculiar Prey Ignored

ffbj

Sentinel

Squeek

connoisseur of tidbits

Myrthos

Cave Canem

Sir Markus

Keeper of the Watch

JDR13

SasqWatch

Prime Junta

RPGCodex' Little BRO

pibbur

Guest

JDR13

SasqWatch

Prime Junta

RPGCodex' Little BRO

JDR13

SasqWatch