Dr. Carin Bondar - Biologist with a Twist

Animal Reproduction

The Grandmother Hypothesis for Menopause

We’ve already covered one hypothesis for why menopause exists, but there is another main hypothesis for the advent of reproductive cessation, and this one is an adaptive one. Photo via Adobe Stock Picture it: as [...]
Animal Parenting

Maternal Behaviour and Recognition

Physiological, social, and environmental elements have influenced the evolution of the immense diversity in maternal behaviour across the mammalian order. There are two general phases of the establishment of maternal care in primates: the initial [...]
Animal Reproduction

Female Fire Salamanders Can Store Sperm For Months

In many anuran (frog and toad) species, females have a sperm-storage organ (a spermatheca) that enables them to keep sperm for long periods of time. This too can allow for the possibility of female choice [...]

Optimal Foraging Theory

July 7, 2021 0

Optimal foraging theory predicts that when there is intense competition for preferred resources, organisms should increase their diet breadth to include other less optimal items. In this way, biological fitness is maximized by striking a […]

Food Preparation Among Animals

June 30, 2021 0

Most foods that humans eat are altered in some way before we consume them. Our species has developed elaborate ways in which to change the properties of our foodstuffs. Why don’t we just forage around […]

Are Humans A Part of Nature?

June 23, 2021 0

It can be argued that our species evolved just like any other and that all our actions are justified under the umbrella of what is considered to be natural. However, one could also argue that […]