Essays on Foraging

Question 1

Yes, the genus Phoxinus exists. The common species of the genus is the minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus). Minnow is a small freshwater fish with dark spots forming an attractive banded effect. The fish has a small mouth, small scales, and large eyes. During spawning seasons, male fish develop bright red colors which are spectacular to attract the female. Minnows feed on plant debris, molluscs, algae, insects and crustaceans (Farrell 567). The existence of this species in a river indicates the availability of oxygen content in the riverbeds and streams. The feeding behavior of the fish involves shoaling and schooling. The ...

In the present assignment we are to analyze food habits among chimpanzees and the significance of those throughout the history of evolution of species. As it is well known chimpanzees are our closest surviving relatives with approximately 96 percent of genes being shared between us, humans, and chimpanzees. In the capacity of our relatives chimpanzees have the largest brain among the primates. Moreover, they have certain things in common if not with humans, at least with our predecessors – chimpanzees can use tools, some of which are quite sophisticated. They make their sleeping nests in a rather elaborate fashion which ...

Over the years, behavioral scientists have repeatedly attempted to understand, define and explain tool usage by different animal species. However, given the complexities involved in data collection, it has remained an elusive and somewhat difficult to quantify task. Initially people believe that developing tools for different activities such as transportation, food gathering or for defense was what inherently differentiated ‘humans’ from animals . This is because crafting tools for improved productivity and to make daily tasks easier and simpler to perform, required a certain level of intelligence and maturity of thought that scientists believed animals did not possess. The goal ...

Did Human Bipedalism Evolve from a Knuckle-walking Ape Ancestor Did Human Bipedalism Evolve from a Knuckle-walking Ape Ancestor

Introduction

The narratives of human evolution are one of the oft-told scientific stories whenever the topic of the origin of man crops up. However, this topic is also one of the thorniest and most highly contentious. There are major disagreements in the manner in which man first came to be, and every interpretation of almost every new find on the matter will be sure to find opposition among scholars on the field (Harcourt-Smith & Aiello, 2004). While there are numerous causes of disputes ...

Introduction

The growing shortages in food supplies, rapid climate change and increasing awareness of environment stewardship has all made eco farms an increasingly viable option. By reversing environmental deterioration, supporting local communities and balancing out community-ecosystem-market relations ("Solution: an eco-farming revolution," n.d.), eco farms are gradually replacing conventional forms of agricultural production, particularly as factory agri-products are becoming subject to mounting pressure not only from environmental groups but also from consumers growing more disillusioned by a combination of unhealthy products, price hikes and environmental damage. True, biotech industry appears to inform adoption of GM foods for international expansion and profit ...

Question 1

Cultural leveling describes how people from different cultures approach each other and try to reach common grounds regarding communication and interaction. This process is evident in Lee’s ethnographic fieldwork. Coming from white society, the researcher exhibited arrogance and considered himself superior, both intellectually and culturally, to the !Kung bushmen. He did this by extending to or cutting off the supply of tobacco from the Bushmen since he was the only source of the commodity in 1000 square miles (Lee). Besides, he neither shared his food with the Bushmen nor participated in their food-gathering activities. For this reason, the ...