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The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

smithsonianmag.com

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Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#21

Post by dehrmann »

ars wrote: post #19
crazygringo wrote: post #15

> The fruit had a larger pit and less flesh than today’s avocados, but it really served as a quick snack for big mammals like the mammoth... How the avocado still exists in the wild after surviving its evolutionary failures remains a puzzle. But once Homo sapiens evolved to the point where it could cultivate the species, the fruit had the chance to thrive anew. Back when the giant beasts roamed the earth, the avocado…

And couldn't a new world monkey simply carry the avocado somewhere else to eat it? Does it have to pass through the gut?

I've seen squirrels carry them to eat later (it's a ridiculous sight), but humans imported both the squirrels and avocados here (the Bay Area).

Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#22

Post by dehrmann »

pugworthy wrote: post #14

Here's a way to view evolutionary theory: a plant that is extremely tasty becomes cultivated, and protected by the species that eats it. As a result, the plant prospers. This actually has a name - Mutualism. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutualism_(biology) for example.

I've heard cattle described like this. Cattle struck a bargain with humans where we spread them everywhere, protect them, and give them ample grazing room in exchange for their slaughter.

Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#23

Post by HillaryBriss »

ars wrote: post #19
crazygringo wrote: post #15

> The fruit had a larger pit and less flesh than today’s avocados, but it really served as a quick snack for big mammals like the mammoth... How the avocado still exists in the wild after surviving its evolutionary failures remains a puzzle. But once Homo sapiens evolved to the point where it could cultivate the species, the fruit had the chance to thrive anew. Back when the giant beasts roamed the earth, the avocado…

And couldn't a new world monkey simply carry the avocado somewhere else to eat it? Does it have to pass through the gut?

you're right. it doesn't. i've seen pits that have germinated and taken root all by themselves in the leaf litter below an avocado tree.

Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#24

Post by hombre_fatal »

ars wrote: post #19
crazygringo wrote: post #15

> The fruit had a larger pit and less flesh than today’s avocados, but it really served as a quick snack for big mammals like the mammoth... How the avocado still exists in the wild after surviving its evolutionary failures remains a puzzle. But once Homo sapiens evolved to the point where it could cultivate the species, the fruit had the chance to thrive anew. Back when the giant beasts roamed the earth, the avocado…

And couldn't a new world monkey simply carry the avocado somewhere else to eat it? Does it have to pass through the gut?

I had an avocado tree in the backyard growing up and the avocados would fall and grow new plants.

The next avocado you eat, leave it in an inch of water and it will sprout in a couple weeks, splitting in half to extend roots and a small canopy.

Had I not had to weed the backyard as a kid during avocado season, the plants would've kept growing from fallen avocados. They have these massive yolks that let them grow pretty much anywhere, as long as they find their way to some soil after a while.

I'm sure megafauna gave them a nice travel system.

Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#26

Post by fouc »

dehrmann wrote: post #21
ars wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And couldn't a new world monkey simply carry the avocado somewhere else to eat it? Does it have to pass through the gut?

I've seen squirrels carry them to eat later (it's a ridiculous sight), but humans imported both the squirrels and avocados here (the Bay Area).

An invasive species carrying an invasive species.

Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#27

Post by gdcohen »

HillaryBriss wrote: post #18

> Rodents like squirrels and mice may have also contributed, as they traveled and buried seeds in the ground, rather than letting it rot on the surface. Even today, it's common to see North American squirrels eating avocados right off the tree in Los Angeles.

They only do that to annoy us humans!

Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#28

Post by kochikame »

pugworthy wrote: post #14

Here's a way to view evolutionary theory: a plant that is extremely tasty becomes cultivated, and protected by the species that eats it. As a result, the plant prospers. This actually has a name - Mutualism. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutualism_(biology) for example.

But this falls down a little bit if you apply it to animals.

I mean, chickens are tasty and all, and there are probably billions of them in the world right now... but do you call living in a cage with your beak cut off "prospering"? From a purely genetic propagation point of view they are prospering I guess... but at what cost?

Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#30

Post by zaarn »

dehrmann wrote: post #21
ars wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And couldn't a new world monkey simply carry the avocado somewhere else to eat it? Does it have to pass through the gut?

I've seen squirrels carry them to eat later (it's a ridiculous sight), but humans imported both the squirrels and avocados here (the Bay Area).

Squirrels will carry and eat pretty much anything (rats of thre trees) including avocadoes, apples, small melons, compost, other squirrels and dead birds. If they can move it, they eat it. Plus points if it can be burried for winter.
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