In findings that may offer insight into how evolution operates, a Duke University evolutionary ecologist reported evidence that aggressive male western bluebirds out-compete less aggressive males for preferred breeding territories.From the Duke University press release:
Duckworth found that more-aggressive and milder mannered birds also tended to breed in different settings that favor different body types.
This study suggests the birds may play more active roles in their own natural selection than traditional models of evolution would support. "The traditional view of evolution is that organisms are passive creatures on which natural selection operates," said Duckworth. "[but] by selecting the environment in which they live, animals can actively affect the natural selection they experience," Duckworth said.
“The main message of this study is that the ability of organisms to choose their environment needs to be made a more explicit part of evolutionary theory."
Read the rest of the article HERE.
Western Bluebird from HERE
