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Re: Brain development.
JOHN LANGDON (LANGDON@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU)
Thu, 2 Feb 1995 12:09:46 -0500
Steve Nicholas writes:
>
> Surely a niche is a certain size.
> If more than one species developed an advantageous asset that would enable
> them to occupy the *same* niche then they could fill the niche until the
> system could no longer support their similar activity. It would be then that
> subtle advantages would enable one species to survive and the other to become
> extinct.
This is the key idea. Niche should be defined in terms of one or more essential
resources; thus the notion of competitive exclusion becomes applicable. But
intelligence is not a resource and it is not limited. There is not a finite
amount of intelligence to be divided up among species in the way there is a
finite number of seeds to be eaten. Intelligence does not necessarily give one a
competitive edge. Look at the way we compete for our food supply with roaches
and mice.
> Are there any examples in other species where an asset does not occupy a
> niche? Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?
Intelligence is one strategy for exploiting the environment, but not a niche.
Success depends on how well one uses one's assets in competition with another
species assets.
JOHN H. LANGDON email LANGDON@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY FAX (317) 788-3569
UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS PHONE (317) 788-3447
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46227
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