2 ms·
While we're clarifying nomenclature, I'd like to point out that "primitive" is to be avoided, as it may imply that a trait is simpler, inferior, or less adaptiv
by jonchang 10y ago
While we're clarifying nomenclature, I'd like to point out that "primitive" is to be avoided, as it may imply that a trait is simpler, inferior, or less adaptive, perpetuating the "ladder of progress" misconception of evolution.
"Ancestral" is preferred and should always be applied to traits rather than taxa, e.g., "Tongtianlong limosus retained many ancestral characteristics of older dinosaurs"
- yareally 10y agoGood point. I didn't think about that aspect. I'm only an amateur biologist, so didn't consider the wording. Ironically, I would consider a beak more primitive until the engineer in me screams teeth could be a sign of over engineering--not that I would personally give up my good (but high maintenance) teeth for a beak. Could probably write a entire book on "evolutionarily traits and trends for engineers."
- jonchang 10y agoAbsolutely-it's important to consider the selective environment that a trait evolved in and evaluate all possible tradeoffs. You can see this in certain fishes where pharyngeal jaws permit eating hard prey (new food source!) but also increase the processing time for soft prey (bad if you're competing against critters that eat faster). Beaks are good for some reasons and teeth for others.
- avip 10y agoYou may enjoy "principles of animal locomotion" - it's pretty engineering focused.