[Sigia-l] graded categories?

[Davezilla]

On 3/5/06, Donna <donna at maadmob.net> wrote:
> Actually, I don't think there is real gradation in this example.
> You eat vegetables only, you eat meat only, or you eat both. Neat
> boundaries. I don't even think that some animals are more central
> or prototypical. I'm thinking there would only be gradation if
> there are things like animals who are usually carnivores, but will
> eat vegetable matter in extreme situations. and I don't know if
> there are animals like that.

Yes, there are:
Members of the mammalian Order Carnivora may or may not be exclusive
meat eaters. Those which eat only meat are carnivores. Dietary
adaptations are not limited by a simple dichotomy between herbivores
(strict vegetarians) and carnivores (strict meat-eaters), but include
frugivores (predominantly fruit), gramnivores (nuts, seeds, etc.),
folivores (leaves), insectivores (carnivore-insects and small
vertebrates), etc. Is is also important to remember that the relation
between the form (anatomy/physiology) and function (behavior) is not
always one to one. Individual anatomical structures can serve one or
more functions and similar functions can be served by several forms.

Are those not gradations of carnivores and herbivores?

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Davezilla
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