Also, given a stress to the predator population, or a particularly potent toxin,
nature can arrive-in-a level where subsequant generations do not require
training -- they've got it-in-an instinctual level. It's fairly obvious how
this happens with a bad toxin -- obviously, if the predators are dying, those
that genetically "know" to avoid it are the only ones left to pass on their
genes! :) If it is not toxic, but just bad tasting or with mild effects, it
will take a stress to train the population, such as a shortage of food.
JW.
Quoting Peter Unmack <peter.lists at>:
> On Wed, 16 Feb 2005, marxxx wrote:
> But it is also true that the critter being eaten must be pretty common
> and/or have reproductive output as a bunch are going to get nailed each
> year as each new generation of predator learns. But if you think about
> predation, how many minnows does a bass eat a year? A lot more than one,
> yet the minnows certainly manage to persist, thus surely a prey item that
> is eaten once, but never again has a much better chance.
>
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