Ptera Hunter's Blog - Posts Tagged "the-wisdom-of-loki"
Wolves in sheeps clothing.
As Ian Malcolm said in Jurrasic Park, nature finds a way. In this case, the predatory trumpetfish found a way to camouflage itself by shadowing other fish. Like the medieval bow hunters who would crouch behind their horses to hunt deer, these predators blend into their surroundings by swimming aside an innocuous species.
Several studies have demonstrated that species other than humans have used this shadowing technique. Other methods organisms use to decrease their apparency include mimicking the movement of surrounding plants (like the stick insect), and hiding behind objects. Shadowers must combine these techniques. An interesting addition I wish I had in time to include in my book, The Wisdom of Loki.
To see the study, go to:
Matchette, S. R. et al. (2023) Predatory trumpetfish conceal themselves from their prey by swimming alongside other fish. Current Biology, 33(15): PR801-R802, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.05....
Several studies have demonstrated that species other than humans have used this shadowing technique. Other methods organisms use to decrease their apparency include mimicking the movement of surrounding plants (like the stick insect), and hiding behind objects. Shadowers must combine these techniques. An interesting addition I wish I had in time to include in my book, The Wisdom of Loki.
To see the study, go to:
Matchette, S. R. et al. (2023) Predatory trumpetfish conceal themselves from their prey by swimming alongside other fish. Current Biology, 33(15): PR801-R802, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.05....
Question: Are there any reallly cool natural deceits that have come to light since you wrote The Wisdom of Loki?
Political science has explored how we bend reality to support our tribes. I ignored much of the problem but will cover some of these issues in my upcoming book. (Sorry, no hints yet, but it will be out in a few months!)
My last blog entry, Wolves in Sheep's Clothing, follows the trumpet fish's swimming habits that use the movements of innocuous species to sneak up on their prey.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-023-04...
My last blog entry, Wolves in Sheep's Clothing, follows the trumpet fish's swimming habits that use the movements of innocuous species to sneak up on their prey.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-023-04...
The New Giveaway is Here: The Wisdom of Loki
🚀 Dive into the wild world of deception with our latest giveaway, "The Wisdom of Loki: The Art of Lying in The Natural World"! 📚 From now until December 15, we're unleashing 100 free digital copies to unravel the secrets of nature's greatest tricksters.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
🌿 Targeted at enthusiasts curious about animal behavior but lacking a biology-heavy background, this book lifts the veil on the hidden world of deceit. Brace yourself, as it reveals a shocking truth: animals are not the sole perpetrators of dishonesty! Plants, fungi, and even molecules are all in on the game.
💡 Ever wondered how heroin fools our bodies into thinking it's a surplus of natural painkillers? Or how plants slyly manipulate wasps into pollinating them without bothering with the costly production of pollen? "The Wisdom of Loki" spills the beans on these mind-bending tales, revealing the cunning strategies of the natural world. You'll never trust a tulip again.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
#The Wisdom of Loki
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
🌿 Targeted at enthusiasts curious about animal behavior but lacking a biology-heavy background, this book lifts the veil on the hidden world of deceit. Brace yourself, as it reveals a shocking truth: animals are not the sole perpetrators of dishonesty! Plants, fungi, and even molecules are all in on the game.
💡 Ever wondered how heroin fools our bodies into thinking it's a surplus of natural painkillers? Or how plants slyly manipulate wasps into pollinating them without bothering with the costly production of pollen? "The Wisdom of Loki" spills the beans on these mind-bending tales, revealing the cunning strategies of the natural world. You'll never trust a tulip again.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
#The Wisdom of Loki
What inspired you to explore the biology of lying?
I must acknowledge my animal behavior students, who consistently challenge me to delve deeper into the subject. Many of these poor souls enroll in it, expecting an easy class to complement their molecular biology or physiology classes, only to find that animal behavior encompasses physiology, endocrinology, evolutionary and developmental biology, and systematics.
One thing that astounds people is that so much of our communication evolved to confound others, leaving others to guess our true intent. Communication among organisms tends toward honesty when they share common goals. Once these goals diverge, the shared information becomes misleading as each tries to take advantage of the other.
And for those skeptics who doubt a dog's capacity for deception, it's likely they've never experienced the subtle art of canine cunning.
One thing that astounds people is that so much of our communication evolved to confound others, leaving others to guess our true intent. Communication among organisms tends toward honesty when they share common goals. Once these goals diverge, the shared information becomes misleading as each tries to take advantage of the other.
And for those skeptics who doubt a dog's capacity for deception, it's likely they've never experienced the subtle art of canine cunning.
