Evolution in Action

“The result of natural selection will not be a species ever more powerful and prolific, but rather a continual adaptation to the changing conditions of life.” Page 97

Evolution takes many forms and affects different species in different ways. Every species is subjected to a number of constraints such as the change in climate or vegetation, or the migration of prey animals. Each of these factors affects every creature in some form, whether it is the change in their size, behaviour or even their diet. A Creature’s main goal within their lives is to reproduce and survive; in difficult situations this can cause an animal to take actions in which is not regular to them. Such as with the sudden early migration of prey animals because of extreme drought in Africa, left the Lions desperate for food. Resulting in them hunting and killing young elephants. This is not typical behaviour as it is extremely dangerous to separate a calf from the herd.

The delegate balance of routine in nature can be incorporated into creature design. The introduction to the main characters could have a dramatic affect on a creature’s behaviour, out of fear it could create aggression towards the characters.  

Parasitism is a behaviour developed by some animals, the definition of a parasitism animal, is an association of two species in which one exploits the other. For example, the Cuckoo bird lays its eggs within another bird’s nest. This other bird takes care of it until the cuckoo egg hatches. The chick then begins to push the other eggs out of the nest, leaving itself for the mother bird to give it undivided care. The host bird never notices the difference in eggs or even chicks as it raises another bird’s offspring. The benefit for the mother Cuckoo is that it does not have the responsibility of parenthood and can focus on its own survival as another bird raises its young.

The Skua is a sea bird that is also parasitic; they attack other sea birds when they have made a catch. Behaviour such as this is a survival tactic; it harasses other birds for their prey. By doing this, the Skua is saving energy by not hunting for its own food; the other bird has to work twice as hard to survive.

Alien creatures could show parasitism behaviour towards humans. Human characters within a film could be the host for the creature to reproduce or to protect them. If characters are busy killing an alien species that is the enemy of another alien, they will become docile for the time being towards humans. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Once humans have stopped being useful, the creatures could become hostile to them.

“For biologists, the word ‘evolved’ does not carry exactly the same meaning as in ordinary language. Evolution is not necessarily an improvement but simply a transformation.” Page 55

The mandrill’s skull has large fags, bigger than the average omnivores teeth. These massive fangs are not for killing or taking down prey, which is what you would first expect, but for more social reasons. Mandrills use their fangs for scaring off predators and establishing themselves within their social group. An animal may develop specific traits for not the obvious reason, such as these fangs. A creature that looks a certain way is not necessarily because of the obvious reason. A creature with a large collection of tusks and teeth is more likely for fighting each other, rather than taking down prey. For example, the Babirusa is a type of pig that grows two sets of tusks; one set from the mouth and the other on the bridge of the nose. The tusks are used for fighting each other and protecting their face, however if these tusks grow long enough, it will grow through the skull and into the brain, killing them.   

The larger the animal, the more difficult it is surviving, that is the problem with giants. They need large territories for their huge feeding needs and they tend to have structural problems due to their large frame. Large animals live longer but their reproduction rate is slower, and with the large territories, mates tend to be difficult to find. Elephants combat the weight of their huge skull by having many air filled cavities, which reduces its weight without diminishing its strength. This makes it easier to be the size they are by having its weight reduced.

A creature cannot be huge without have multiple structural problems, a large creature are not as agile or fast as one half its size. Even an Elephant cannot jump, at least tweet feet firmly on the ground to support itself.

All images and quotes in this blog post I have scanned/quoted myself from the referenced book below: 

Jean-Baptiste de Panafieu. And Gries P. 2011. Evolution in Action: Natural History through Spectacular Skeletons. Thames & Hudson.