Humans have an innate interest and ability in naming biologically meaningful entities, or species. Taxonomy, then, vies for the title of world’s “oldest profession”.
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Articles on Evolutionary biology
Displaying 81 - 100 of 154 articles
Were legs a quirk of genetic mutation rather than an evolutionary inevitability?
The goal of identifying leadership attributes that translate into team success remains as elusive in sport as it does in other spheres of human endeavour.
New research suggests the “primordial soup” theory can’t explain how living cells evolved to harness energy.
Scientists have uncovered the genetics that explain the snake’s impressive length – and used the science to create extra-long mice.
An environment rife with shame is a fertile breeding ground for conflict: pitting mother against mother.
There must be some evolutionary force acting to maintain this visual ‘defect’.
We know a lot about why people choose different brands of dishwashing detergent. But when it comes to the processes behind choosing a romantic partner, science knows surprisingly little.
Embryos greedily want more resources than their fair share. New research investigates how early in evolution their hormonal tactics arose.
Scientists of all kinds turn to computer models to investigate questions they can’t get at any other way. Here’s how models work and why we can trust them.
Your attitudes to risk – from extreme sports to school rugby – are hardwired into you.
We’ve bred them into all shapes and sizes, but dogs haven’t been around for long enough to have evolved beyond Canis familiaris.
The evolutionary history of antibiotic resistance suggests it may be impossible to develop resistance-proof antibiotics so what are our other options?
Science explains why people pick partners who look like their parents – without involving Freud.
Why hunter gatherers weren’t as peaceful as you may think.
You might be surprised to hear that virgin births are possible - just not in humans. By the reason why remains an evolutionary mystery.
Sexual competition has made sperm the most diverse - and fascinating - cells in the animal kingdom.
Cats share some important genes associated with herbivores – this might explain their particular eating habits.
Humans as well as zebra finches go through hurdles to find their perfect partner – and this may better ensure the survival of any offspring.
I sometimes forget that people can feel embarrassed listening to me talk about my research on sperm. But often those same people can also be a source of amazement and inspiration.
Top contributors
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Honorary Associate Professor, UNSW Sydney
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Strategic Professor in Palaeontology, Flinders University
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Mark Elgar is a Friend of The Conversation.
Professor of Evolutionary Biology, The University of Melbourne
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Postdoctoral Researcher , The University of Melbourne
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PhD Researcher, Nature and Function of Human Nonverbal Vocalisations, University of Sussex
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Adjunct Research Associate, Monash University
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Associate Professor, The University of Queensland
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Jenny Graves is a Friend of The Conversation.
Distinguished Professor of Genetics and Vice Chancellor's Fellow, La Trobe University
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Senior Lecturer, Centre for Behaviour and Evolution, Newcastle University
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Lecturer, Macquarie University
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Sexual health researcher, The University of Melbourne
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Research fellow, University of Sydney
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Postdoctoral Researcher of Evolutionary Biology, University of Pennsylvania
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Senior lecturer, School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, University of Bristol
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Research Associate Professor in Evolutionary Biology, The University of Western Australia
