Animal Behavior Quotes

“Although all the characteristics of living things are dependent on both genetic and environmental factors, the differences between two individuals in their attributes may be due to either one or the other component (or both). That is, a difference in either genes or environment can generate a developmental difference arising from the interplay that always takes place between two factors within developing organisms.”
― John Alcock, Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach

“Change the material environment by altering the availability of amino acids or fats or carbohydrates in the diet of young animal, and the gene-environment interactions that occur will change as well, potentially affecting the structural development of the brain or the activity of hormone-releasing organs, with assorted behavioral consequences for the affected individual. Alter the experiential environment by changing the sensory inputs from the physical environment or from social interactions with other animals, and behavioral development will shift as well.”
― John Alcock, Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach