Decoding Our Family In 2000 we sequenced the human genome. Over the past decade primatologists have decoded the genome of all great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos and orangutans). Now we can compare, contrast and learn more about our genetic relationship with our closest relatives. Throughout that time we have learned a tremendous amount about their … Continue reading Decoding Our Family
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A Conservation Story Gone Bad
A Conservation Story Gone Bad In a recent conservation documentary by the BBC the social dynamics between the Afar tribe and the baboons are explored. Throughout the documentary conservation biologist Mat Pines attempts to build a positive relationship with the tribe but ends up failing to understand the root of the conflict. Full Article: A … Continue reading A Conservation Story Gone Bad
Evolution of Primate Sleep
Evolution of Primate Sleep Throughout my young career as a primate researcher I have focused on sleeping patterns in two different species (chimpanzees and ring-tailed lemurs). This research has helped me piece together some of the most important patterns and trends that have characterized the evolution of primate sleep. Full Article: Evolution of Primate Sleep … Continue reading Evolution of Primate Sleep
Diurnality, Nocturnality, & Cathemerality
Diurnality, Nocturnality, & Cathemerality Understanding animal behaviour in the classroom is much different than understanding animal behaviour in the field. During my research trip to St. Catherines Island to study ring-tailed lemur activity patterns I realized that concepts I thought I understood were more problematic than they were helpful. Full Article: Diurnality, Nocturnality & Cathemerality … Continue reading Diurnality, Nocturnality, & Cathemerality
Where Are All The Panins?
Where Are All The Panins? Over the past few decades palaeoanthropologists have uncovered hundreds of fossil fragments that belong to our hominin ancestors. These fossils have allowed scientists to piece together our evolutionary history and better understand the pressures that led to our species unique characteristics. However, there has been only two fossils of panins … Continue reading Where Are All The Panins?
Welcome to the South
Welcome to the South During a research trip in the south I encountered a culture I had read and heard about, but had never directly experienced. As a result I did experience a degree of culture shock. Throughout the experience I spoke with a few different people about some sensitive issues and had to … Continue reading Welcome to the South
Among African Apes
Among African Apes What is it like to be a primatologist? There are several misconceptions and many people are interested in our closest relatives, but few people know exactly what it's like to conduct a primate field survey. Among African Apes transports you into the researchers world and introduces you to several important aspects of … Continue reading Among African Apes
A Good or Bad Exchange?
A Good or Bad Exchange? The world changed in profound ways after 1492. The Columbian Exchange resulted in the transfer of divergent and previously isolated flora and fauna becoming transported to new landscapes. This forever changed natural history and human history. However, did the Columbian exchange reap irreparable damage on the biosphere as a whole? … Continue reading A Good or Bad Exchange?
The Decline of Violence
The Decline of Violence Steven Pinker is a world-renowned psychologist and cognitive scientist. In The Better Angels of Our Nature Pinker explores the history of human violence to attempt to understand if we have become more or less violent. He approaches this topic from a multi-disciplinary perspective incorporating data from history, anthropology, biology, psychology, and … Continue reading The Decline of Violence
Disrespecting Social Theory
Disrespecting Social Theory A recent Gallup poll revealed that belief in creationism has not declined over the past few decades. The majority of scientists have responded to this as a disturbing trend. However, a few social scientists have pointed out that this trend may have more to do with cultural identity than it does with … Continue reading Disrespecting Social Theory