Animal Behavior: Evolution - Research Paper Example

[Teacher’s Animal Behavior Evolution is one aspect of life that is often surrounded by controversy in terms of its legitimacy as well as the accuracy of its theories. The majorities of individuals in the world are creationists and hence often have a biased opinion when analyzing the subject of evolution. However, there are some factors which are transparent to bias such as the notion that evolution inhibits learning. The basis and essence of evolution is ensuring that the diverse and environmentally suitable gene pool is sustained in the environment whilst the less competent and weaker species die out as they are unable to survive until reproductive age due to certain features that disadvantage them. Hence, judging from this concept the weaker species are incapable of learning to use their defective or disadvantaged phenotypes and these features are lost from the gene pool. In the absence of evolution, organisms would be able to adapt to features that are in their genetic pool and use them to attain an environmental advantage. This would also be helpful in ensuring that these existing genes can be used to their full potential as this would be essential for survival. Evolution stops one learning certain skills or factors and instead replacing this process with new or mutated genes that present new features. It is also necessary to note that learning is a long process and evolution does not facilitate this lengthy process. The nature/nurture controversy has also been widely discussed in the scientific department as it involves numerous aspects of human life. The phrase was initially introduced by Francis Galton, who was criticized for this phrase as many academics viewed this as over simplistic. This issue has been discussed particularly in the field of psychology as the attempt has been made to assess the societal influence on certain aspects of life. Historically, philosophers such as Descartes and Plato stated that there are numerous aspects of human behavior that are innate and inborn and cannot be altered by environmental influences. There are several things that frequently raise the nature vs. nurture controversy and an example is academic success. One can be assumed to be brilliant genetically or maybe the environment has a role to play in the expression of these genes of intelligence. Many people are academically unsuccessful in certain circles; however, when placed in another setting they show academic brilliance and achievement. On the other hand, some people are in the ideal environment and put in the appropriate effort however, are unable to attain a certain level of academic success. This raises the question whether the success is attributed to one aspect only or to both and if so which attribute is more influential. Other examples that have been used include personality. This has been assumed to be inherited yet it is questionable due to the great disparity that often exists between parents and their children. Goldberg comprised a group of possibly in heritable personality traits which have been termed “the Big Five” and include openness, extraversion, conscientiousness, neuroticism and agreeableness. Studies that are utilized to assess nature/nurture often involve identical twins and adopted children. In short these help assess the question whether environmental factors influence a certain trait or this trait is inherited and this is the basis of the nurture/nature controversy. Despite many studies on this aspect many scientists are still not convinced and are of the opinion that the two terms need to be more specific as they are often both influential and it is rare to see one which is solely prevalent in a particular behavioral trait. As mentioned above there are several studies that can be utilized in assessing whether a certain trait is genetic or environmentally influenced. The most common study is the use of identical twins as they possess the same gene pool. If certain trait is genetic it should be prevalent in both the twins and if other factors are responsible then only one of them will show this quality. The use of adopted children can be used in comparison to the twin study to assess environmental influence on certain behavioral traits. Studies that were carried out Brown Universities discovered that an individual’s choices are influenced by three genes which are known as single nucleotide polymorphisms. These have been found to give researchers the possibility to predict the choice that an individual is likely to make. Hence, DNA sampling can be noted as one method which can be used to assess the influence of genes on an individual. Samples of DNA can be attained from different body fluids and the saliva is used. In a study that was carried out by Frank et al., (par. 4), some cases illustrated that certain singe genes may have a large influence on particular behavioral traits. A combination of laboratory and societal studies has the best accuracy in differentiating between genetic and environmentally influence d traits. Ethology is a sub topic of zoology and can be defined as a study of animal behavior. This subject can be differentiated from behaviorism as it aims to assess the behavior of animals in natural environments whereas the later assesses behavior in laboratory environments. This field of study can be considered a combination between field science and laboratory research. It is also closely related to the following science disciplines: ecology, neuroanatomy and evolution. The main aim of individuals who specialize in this field is to assess behavior; hence studies are often based on one behavioral trait which can be assessed in several unrelated species. According to Tinbergen there are four main factors which have to be assessed all the time by ethologists and these include function, causation, development or evolutionary history. The field has made a great deal of progress over the years and one of its pioneers, Konrad Lorenz, made several discoveries in the field. Whilst assessing the behavioral traits of graylag geese he was able to rediscover imprinting. This is one aspect of science that supports ethology concepts. There are several ethological concepts and these species typical behavior, sign or release stimulus, fired action pattern and innate releasing mechanisms. These concepts can also be further broken down and an example of fixed action that was found in three spined sticklebacks is mating, courtship and territorial defense. Scientific research of these traits involves the elicitation of a behavioral trait by implementing a certain stimulus. These factors can be carried out and observed in the environment and can be confirmed in laboratory settings when the same stimulus is inflicted. There are five senses that have been found in humans which include olfactory, visual, auditory, taste and touch. However, not all animals have the same senses and among those that share similar senses differences can be observed in the expression of each sense. An example is the olfactory sense which is much more prominent in cats, dogs and other animals compared to humans. The night vision in owls is more superior to that of other animals with the same sense such as cats or dogs. Other species do not have the above mentioned senses. An example is the cnidarians which do not have all of the above mentioned sense. It can be debated whether or not these species have the sense of touch. Other simple organisms such as planarians do not have the ability to see images but can only perceive light. Delphinidae lack the sense of smell as they do not possess olfactory nerves or the related lobes. However, all the senses that are possessed by animals are the five that were mentioned above. However, these usually exist in more anatomically complex organisms and they are not in the same proportion in each organism. They are initially suited to the physiological behavior and functions that are carried out by the animal. The prominence of certain senses in some species can be considered a product of evolution and necessary for survival in certain parts of the environment. Blue faced Honeyeater Entyomyzon cyanotis or the Blue faced honey eater is a member of the Meliphagidae family. This passerine bird has three main subspecies and is considered to be the largest among the honeyeaters. It has a length of approximately 25.9cm, white under parts, olive upperparts and a distinctive plumage. They weigh approximately 105g and have a wingspan of 42cm. There is no difference between the male and female species in terms of external appearance and size. However, a distinction can be made between the juveniles and adults as the former have an area of bare skin which is blue in color and present on either side of the face. The juveniles often attain a similar plumage to the adults after their first moult which begins between October and November. It begins with the primary flight feathers and these are subsequently replaced in February. Between December and June the body feathers are then replaced. The bird is capable of making several calls throughout the day including during the time of flying. They were first described by Latham in 1802 and were reclassified in 1825 by Swainson. It is assumed to be the only species in its genus however; its plumage has raised the suggestion that it may have some links with the genus Melithrptus. Studies discovered that the two birds are related and it is assumed to have diverged from the Melithreptus genus approximately 10 million years ago. As mentioned above the bird has three sub species which are recognized and these include E.c cyanotis, E. c albipennis and E. c griseigularis. The Blue faced honeyeater lives in different location which include sclerophyll forests, rainforests, mangroves, open woodland, gardens, golf courses, parks and can also be found in urban areas. The social behavior of these species still requires further research as it has not been an area of central focus among ethologists. However, socially they travel in pair or different groups which are comprised of 5 or more birds. They are very noisy when they travel together or are feeding in groups. The birds are very protective and have been known to dive towards intruders in order to prevent damage to the nests. These birds have also been fond of taking baths and can be seen diving in small pools in their flocks. These birds frequently forage in tree branches and their main dietary component includes insects such as termites, cochroaches, lerps and grasshoppers. They have also been found to eat bugs such as bark beetles, shield bugs, darkling and click beetles. At times they can feed on larger prey such as small lizards. The birds all have some plant materials in their diet and these include berries, nectar, pollen, cultivated crops such as grapes and bananas and scarlet gum. These birds have been known to breed throughout their range and this breeding process takes place mainly between June and January. The nests that these birds build have an untidy appearance and are comprised of sticks, bark and grass. At time the birds can utilize nests that have been previously used by other species for breeding. In these nests the female lays the eggs which are incubated. The eggs are usually 2 or 3. The chicks produced by these birds are altrical and are born without the sight. They can only open their eyes after 4 days. They have tufts of feathers and these are mainly on the shoulders and wings of the chicks. Feathers begin to emerge on their wings after approximately 6 days and appear on other parts of the body after the 8th day of life. The chicks are taken care of by both the parents who each play a role in the feeding. Hypothesis The features of the Blue faced honeyeater are largely influenced by their location. Birds which live in the zoo will significantly be different to those living in the wild and those in urban areas. Comparing the two will prove the correctness of this hypothesis and further research will be carried out on the societal influences that are affect the behavior of these birds. Works Cited Burns, Jeena Reed, and Colin Hockey. "Full colour." Green: sustainable architecture and landscape design 35 (2014): 82. Pizzey, Graham, and Frank Knight. "Field guide to the birds of Australia." (2012). Nauert, Rick. Genetic Influence on Behavior. Psych Central. 2009. Web. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/07/21/genetic-influence-on-behavior/7237.html Read More