Skoric, M. and A. Kisjuhas (eds) (2017). Atheism and Moral Progress.
Charles Darwin won worldwide fame for claiming that people and primates evolved from a shared anc... more Charles Darwin won worldwide fame for claiming that people and primates evolved from a shared ancestor. Since his times, humans are perceived as a biological species and natural scientists often compare their behaviours to animal instincts. In all this, the flip side of Darwin’s discovery has often been neglected, namely that animals in their behaviour and emotions frequently resemble humans. Yet despite the fact that for Darwin himself an anthropomorphic perspective on animals was a matter of course, many Darwinians today use a mechanistic model. This article analyses these two opposing tendencies using selected works of two biologists, namely Richard Dawkins and Frans de Waal. Differences between the two ways of looking at animals are investigated and contrasted using the subject of morality and its evolutionary origins. It will be shown that de Waal’s empirical orientation is significantly closer to Darwinian tradition than Dawkins’s theoretical approach.
In this article the layout of Table 1 did not reflect the layout of the table in the original man... more In this article the layout of Table 1 did not reflect the layout of the table in the original manuscript. The correct Table 1 is published below. On page 16 the citation to 'Plessner' was omitted. The correct sentence should read: 'And, vice versa, Plessner (2017a, b) acknowledges Portmann's finding of a physiologically early human birth as an empirical substantiation of his theory.' The original article has been corrected. Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
___________________________________________________________________________ 1 Natalia Abieva 2 Te... more ___________________________________________________________________________ 1 Natalia Abieva 2 Ted Baenziger 3 Marcello Barbieri 4 Gérard Battail 5 Peter Barlow 6 Luis Emilio Bruni 7 Han-liang Chang 8 John Collier 9 Alfredo Dinis 10 Claus Emmeche et al.. 11 Marcella Faria 12 Don Favareau 13 Eliseo Fernandez 14 Isabel Ferreira 15 Franco Giorgi 16 Peter Harries-Jones 17 Siohoi Ieng 18 Filip Jaroš 19 Karel Kleisner 20 Kalevi Kull 21 Maria Rita Leal 22 Andres Luure 23 João Carlos Major 24 Dario Martinelli 25 Clara Costa Oliveira 26 Ozansoy and Denizhan 27 Gerald Ostdiek 28 Margus Ott 29 Stephen Pain 30 Emmanuel Parzy 31 Charls Pearson 32 Maciej Pokora 33 Joao Queiroz et al. 34 Angelo Recchia-Luciani 35 Vinicius Romanini 36 Alexei Sharov 37 Marco Stella 38 Frederik Stjernfelt et al. 39 Susan Stuart 40 Paul Thibault 41 Morten Tønnessen 42 Tommi Vehkavaara 43 Patrick Vyncke 44 Dennis Waters 45 Guenther Witzany 46 Shuo-yu Charlotte Wu 47 Michaela Zemkova
Interaction between humans and cats in urban environments is subject to dynamic change. Based on ... more Interaction between humans and cats in urban environments is subject to dynamic change. Based on the frequency and quality of relations with humans, we can distinguish several populations of domestic cats (Felis catus): pedigree, pet, semi-feral, feral, and pseudo-wild. Bringing together theoretical perspectives of the Tartu school of biosemiotics and ethological studies of animal societies, we distinguish two basic types of cat cultures: the culture of street cats and the humano-cat culture of pets. The difference between these cultures is documented on the level of zoosemiotic interactions, ecological relations, and human representations. We introduce a threefold model of human-animal interactions in urban environments which steer a careful course between the Scylla of realistic ontology and the Charybdis of social constructivism. A case study on Estonian cat shelters illustrates the significance of cultural representations and institutionalized actions in human-cat cohabitation.
The social cognition of domestic cats (Felis catus) is a scarcely studied topic due to the reputa... more The social cognition of domestic cats (Felis catus) is a scarcely studied topic due to the reputation of the animal as individualistic. Nevertheless, cats are capable of cognitively demanding cooperative activities such as a communal nest-moving. The cognitive abilities of free-ranging cats are evaluated against the background of the shared intentionality hypothesis, proposed by a research group of Michael Tomasello. Although their comparative studies are carried out on chimpanzees, they are valuable as a source of conceptual work linking empirical cognitive studies with the philosophical accounts of joint agency. We critically analyze theoretical cognitive concepts interpreting the triadic interactions of great apes and the collective hunting among chimpanzees. Contrary to the shared intentionality hypothesis, it is argued that cats have cognitive abilities to share attention, truly cooperate and constitute shared meanings. Finally, we introduce the concept of the natural interaction ritual by Randall Collins and outline its significance for our case study about cats as well as for a general biosemiotic theory of the development of symbols.
This article focuses on the social structure of domestic cat colonies, and on the various ways th... more This article focuses on the social structure of domestic cat colonies, and on the various ways these are represented in ethological literature. Our analysis begins with detailed accounts of different forms of cat societies from the works of Leyhausen, Tabor, and Alger and Alger, and then puts these descriptions into a broader epistemological perspective. The analysis is inspired by the bi-constructivist approach to ethological studies formulated by Lestel, which highlights the position of the ethologist in the constitution of particular animal activities. We propose a third layer should be added to post hoc analyses of ethological enterprises: i.e., the ontological commitments shaping the conceptual framework of a given research. It is through these commitments we find a hierarchical structure in a caged colony of cats (Leyhausen), different territorial patterns in the case of urban cats (Tabor), and egalitarian friendly bonds within the society of a cat shelter (Alger and Alger). Our critical tri-constructivist approach can be utilized for contemporary biosemiotics as it is centered on a multi-level process of interpretation.
Page 1. ORIGINAL PAPER Biogeography of elytral ornaments in Palearctic genus Carabus: disentangli... more Page 1. ORIGINAL PAPER Biogeography of elytral ornaments in Palearctic genus Carabus: disentangling the effects of space, evolution and environment at a continental scale Karel Kleisner • Petr Keil • Filip Jaroš Received ...
The relationship of humans to other primates – both in terms of abilities and evolution - has bee... more The relationship of humans to other primates – both in terms of abilities and evolution - has been an age-old topic of dispute in science. In this paper the claim is made that the different views of authors are based not so much on differences in empirical evidence, but on the ontological stances of the authors and the underlying ground narratives that they use. For comparing and reconciling the views presented by the representatives of, inter alia, cognitive ethology, comparative psychology, and zoosemiotics, an overarching approach of multi-constructivism is introduced. The paper proposes an analytic model (3C/GUTP) that distinguishes four logical possibilities in representing anthropological difference: Gradualism, Transformativism, Unitarism, and Pluralism. Using this typology, the views of C. Darwin, F. de Waal, M. Tomasello, and T. A. Sebeok regarding the similarities and differences between human and animal capacities for cognition, culture and communication (“3C”) are analyzed. The results indicate systematic differences in the selected narratives by these authors (e.g. Darwin – Gradualism, Tomasello - Transformativism) that can be related to the types of underlying ontologies.
We consider a reaction-diffusion system undergoing Turing instability and augment it by an additi... more We consider a reaction-diffusion system undergoing Turing instability and augment it by an additional unilateral source term. We investigate its influence on the Turing instability and on the character of resulting patterns. The nonsmooth positively homogeneous unilateral term τ v^- has favourable properties, but the standard linear stability analysis cannot be performed. We illustrate the importance of the nonsmoothness by a numerical case study, which shows that the Turing instability can considerably change if we replace this term by its arbitrarily precise smooth approximation. However, the nonsmooth unilateral term and all its approximations yield qualitatively similar patterns although not necessarily developing from small disturbances of the spatially homogeneous steady state. Further, we show that the unilateral source breaks the approximate symmetry and regularity of the classical patterns and yields asymmetric and irregular patterns. Moreover, a given system with a unilate...
We consider a classical reaction-diffusion system undergoing Tur-ing instability and augment it b... more We consider a classical reaction-diffusion system undergoing Tur-ing instability and augment it by an additional unilateral source term. We investigate its influence on the Turing instability and on the character of resulting patterns. The nonsmooth positively homogeneous unilateral term τ v − has favourable properties in spite of the fact that the standard linear stability analysis cannot be performed. We illustrate the importance of the nonsmooth-ness by a numerical case study, which shows that the Turing instability can considerably change if we replace this term by its arbitrarily precise smooth approximation. However, the nonsmooth unilateral term and all its approximations yield qualitatively same patterns although not necessarily developing from arbitrarily small disturbances of the spatially homogeneous steady state. Further, we show that inserting the unilateral source into a classical system breaks the approximate symmetry and regularity of the classical patterns and yield...
Stať je věnovana kritickemu rozboru Stevensova (a Priceova) pojeti evolucni psychiatrie. Největsi... more Stať je věnovana kritickemu rozboru Stevensova (a Priceova) pojeti evolucni psychiatrie. Největsi pozornost je věnovana problemu, jestli je možne uspokojivě propojit poznatky z genocentricky orientovane evolucni biologie, klasicke etologie a Jungovy analyticke psychologie.
The article focuses on the possibility of the cultivation of biology inspired by the work of biol... more The article focuses on the possibility of the cultivation of biology inspired by the work of biologist A. Portmann. Insight into the problem is to some extent limited to the Czech language area, where Portmann’s ideas are relatively well established. The paper analyses the causes of latent tension between so-called Darwinists and Portmannists. There are a lot of misunderstandings at this point. First of all, it must be considered that Portmann didn’t disregard Darwin’s theory. The aim of the article is to show that Portmann’s ideas transcend a traditional Darwinian reduction of a life form to adaptive function. Divergence of these schools of thought comes from different opinions on the nature of science. The paper shows how dissimilarities of aims and means of biological exploration lead to different conclusions about living creatures. For research growing out of Portmann’s ideas, it is necessary not to consider Darwinism as a competitor, but as a thought-provoking partner for a dia...
Tzv. portmannismus je specifický, v biologii kořenici myslenkový směr, jehož dosah je v soucasne ... more Tzv. portmannismus je specifický, v biologii kořenici myslenkový směr, jehož dosah je v soucasne době omezen převažně na ceske země. Řada knižnich, casopiseckých a popularizacnich praci dokazuje, že na platformě Portmannových myslenek vznikla v Cechach specificka a originalni myslenkova skola. Portmann uznaval Darwinovu teorii, upozorňoval vsak na množstvi jevů, ktere si žadaji interpretaci sahajici za ramec znamých darwinistických mechanismů. Mezi zastanci Portmannovy nauky a hlavnim proudem (neo)darwinistů existuje napěti, ktere kořeni v různých pojetich vědy. Portmannismus je casto považovan za nauku miřici mimo ramec vědy: snažime se analyzovat opravněnost takových poukazů a zasadit je do kontextu teorie vědy. Ukazuje se, že přes důležite rozdily v cilech a užiti metodologických prostředků neni hranice mezi oběma přistupy ostře dana. Je připomenuta skutecnost, že od okamžiku přeneseni Portmannových myslenek do ceských zemi doslo ke generacni výměně jejich nositelů. Vychazi najev...
The presented work investigates various theories about the significance of felid coat patterns. M... more The presented work investigates various theories about the significance of felid coat patterns. Most of the hypotheses are based on the theory of adaptive function of animal colouration. As regards felids, it is generally believed that the coat pattern has the function of aggressive resemblance. Early testimonies about cryptic properties of colouration of cats are summarized to provide the historical perspective of the problem. Other putative adaptive functions of patterns are investigated (intraspecific communication, thermoregulation) and close attention is paid to the option that the spotted coat of the leopard (Panthera pardus) serves as a cue for recognition from the perspective of prey. In the next stage, some of the hypotheses are tested by statistical means. The problem is simplified into search for association between a given category of a coat pattern (e.g. spots, stripes) and usual habitat of felid species (e.g. forest, grassland). Pagel’s test for correlated changes is employed to account for phylogenetic relationships. In addition to broadly acknowledged hypotheses, the validity of proposition that juvenile coat patterns have the function of protective resemblance is tested. Finally, the problem of colouration of felids is linked to broader context of theoretical biology. Apart from prevailing (neo-)Darwinian perspective to the problem of animal colouration, the theory of colour conflict by Hingston and Portmann’s aesthetical morphology are discussed at great length. It is demonstrated that Portmann’s approach yields valuable insights into the problem of the colouration of felids, mainly ontogenetic colour change. Factors accounting for marginal position of Portmann’s investigations within the framework of current biology are analysed from epistemological and philosophical perspective.
Skoric, M. and A. Kisjuhas (eds) (2017). Atheism and Moral Progress.
Charles Darwin won worldwide fame for claiming that people and primates evolved from a shared anc... more Charles Darwin won worldwide fame for claiming that people and primates evolved from a shared ancestor. Since his times, humans are perceived as a biological species and natural scientists often compare their behaviours to animal instincts. In all this, the flip side of Darwin’s discovery has often been neglected, namely that animals in their behaviour and emotions frequently resemble humans. Yet despite the fact that for Darwin himself an anthropomorphic perspective on animals was a matter of course, many Darwinians today use a mechanistic model. This article analyses these two opposing tendencies using selected works of two biologists, namely Richard Dawkins and Frans de Waal. Differences between the two ways of looking at animals are investigated and contrasted using the subject of morality and its evolutionary origins. It will be shown that de Waal’s empirical orientation is significantly closer to Darwinian tradition than Dawkins’s theoretical approach.
In this article the layout of Table 1 did not reflect the layout of the table in the original man... more In this article the layout of Table 1 did not reflect the layout of the table in the original manuscript. The correct Table 1 is published below. On page 16 the citation to 'Plessner' was omitted. The correct sentence should read: 'And, vice versa, Plessner (2017a, b) acknowledges Portmann's finding of a physiologically early human birth as an empirical substantiation of his theory.' The original article has been corrected. Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
___________________________________________________________________________ 1 Natalia Abieva 2 Te... more ___________________________________________________________________________ 1 Natalia Abieva 2 Ted Baenziger 3 Marcello Barbieri 4 Gérard Battail 5 Peter Barlow 6 Luis Emilio Bruni 7 Han-liang Chang 8 John Collier 9 Alfredo Dinis 10 Claus Emmeche et al.. 11 Marcella Faria 12 Don Favareau 13 Eliseo Fernandez 14 Isabel Ferreira 15 Franco Giorgi 16 Peter Harries-Jones 17 Siohoi Ieng 18 Filip Jaroš 19 Karel Kleisner 20 Kalevi Kull 21 Maria Rita Leal 22 Andres Luure 23 João Carlos Major 24 Dario Martinelli 25 Clara Costa Oliveira 26 Ozansoy and Denizhan 27 Gerald Ostdiek 28 Margus Ott 29 Stephen Pain 30 Emmanuel Parzy 31 Charls Pearson 32 Maciej Pokora 33 Joao Queiroz et al. 34 Angelo Recchia-Luciani 35 Vinicius Romanini 36 Alexei Sharov 37 Marco Stella 38 Frederik Stjernfelt et al. 39 Susan Stuart 40 Paul Thibault 41 Morten Tønnessen 42 Tommi Vehkavaara 43 Patrick Vyncke 44 Dennis Waters 45 Guenther Witzany 46 Shuo-yu Charlotte Wu 47 Michaela Zemkova
Interaction between humans and cats in urban environments is subject to dynamic change. Based on ... more Interaction between humans and cats in urban environments is subject to dynamic change. Based on the frequency and quality of relations with humans, we can distinguish several populations of domestic cats (Felis catus): pedigree, pet, semi-feral, feral, and pseudo-wild. Bringing together theoretical perspectives of the Tartu school of biosemiotics and ethological studies of animal societies, we distinguish two basic types of cat cultures: the culture of street cats and the humano-cat culture of pets. The difference between these cultures is documented on the level of zoosemiotic interactions, ecological relations, and human representations. We introduce a threefold model of human-animal interactions in urban environments which steer a careful course between the Scylla of realistic ontology and the Charybdis of social constructivism. A case study on Estonian cat shelters illustrates the significance of cultural representations and institutionalized actions in human-cat cohabitation.
The social cognition of domestic cats (Felis catus) is a scarcely studied topic due to the reputa... more The social cognition of domestic cats (Felis catus) is a scarcely studied topic due to the reputation of the animal as individualistic. Nevertheless, cats are capable of cognitively demanding cooperative activities such as a communal nest-moving. The cognitive abilities of free-ranging cats are evaluated against the background of the shared intentionality hypothesis, proposed by a research group of Michael Tomasello. Although their comparative studies are carried out on chimpanzees, they are valuable as a source of conceptual work linking empirical cognitive studies with the philosophical accounts of joint agency. We critically analyze theoretical cognitive concepts interpreting the triadic interactions of great apes and the collective hunting among chimpanzees. Contrary to the shared intentionality hypothesis, it is argued that cats have cognitive abilities to share attention, truly cooperate and constitute shared meanings. Finally, we introduce the concept of the natural interaction ritual by Randall Collins and outline its significance for our case study about cats as well as for a general biosemiotic theory of the development of symbols.
This article focuses on the social structure of domestic cat colonies, and on the various ways th... more This article focuses on the social structure of domestic cat colonies, and on the various ways these are represented in ethological literature. Our analysis begins with detailed accounts of different forms of cat societies from the works of Leyhausen, Tabor, and Alger and Alger, and then puts these descriptions into a broader epistemological perspective. The analysis is inspired by the bi-constructivist approach to ethological studies formulated by Lestel, which highlights the position of the ethologist in the constitution of particular animal activities. We propose a third layer should be added to post hoc analyses of ethological enterprises: i.e., the ontological commitments shaping the conceptual framework of a given research. It is through these commitments we find a hierarchical structure in a caged colony of cats (Leyhausen), different territorial patterns in the case of urban cats (Tabor), and egalitarian friendly bonds within the society of a cat shelter (Alger and Alger). Our critical tri-constructivist approach can be utilized for contemporary biosemiotics as it is centered on a multi-level process of interpretation.
Page 1. ORIGINAL PAPER Biogeography of elytral ornaments in Palearctic genus Carabus: disentangli... more Page 1. ORIGINAL PAPER Biogeography of elytral ornaments in Palearctic genus Carabus: disentangling the effects of space, evolution and environment at a continental scale Karel Kleisner • Petr Keil • Filip Jaroš Received ...
The relationship of humans to other primates – both in terms of abilities and evolution - has bee... more The relationship of humans to other primates – both in terms of abilities and evolution - has been an age-old topic of dispute in science. In this paper the claim is made that the different views of authors are based not so much on differences in empirical evidence, but on the ontological stances of the authors and the underlying ground narratives that they use. For comparing and reconciling the views presented by the representatives of, inter alia, cognitive ethology, comparative psychology, and zoosemiotics, an overarching approach of multi-constructivism is introduced. The paper proposes an analytic model (3C/GUTP) that distinguishes four logical possibilities in representing anthropological difference: Gradualism, Transformativism, Unitarism, and Pluralism. Using this typology, the views of C. Darwin, F. de Waal, M. Tomasello, and T. A. Sebeok regarding the similarities and differences between human and animal capacities for cognition, culture and communication (“3C”) are analyzed. The results indicate systematic differences in the selected narratives by these authors (e.g. Darwin – Gradualism, Tomasello - Transformativism) that can be related to the types of underlying ontologies.
We consider a reaction-diffusion system undergoing Turing instability and augment it by an additi... more We consider a reaction-diffusion system undergoing Turing instability and augment it by an additional unilateral source term. We investigate its influence on the Turing instability and on the character of resulting patterns. The nonsmooth positively homogeneous unilateral term τ v^- has favourable properties, but the standard linear stability analysis cannot be performed. We illustrate the importance of the nonsmoothness by a numerical case study, which shows that the Turing instability can considerably change if we replace this term by its arbitrarily precise smooth approximation. However, the nonsmooth unilateral term and all its approximations yield qualitatively similar patterns although not necessarily developing from small disturbances of the spatially homogeneous steady state. Further, we show that the unilateral source breaks the approximate symmetry and regularity of the classical patterns and yields asymmetric and irregular patterns. Moreover, a given system with a unilate...
We consider a classical reaction-diffusion system undergoing Tur-ing instability and augment it b... more We consider a classical reaction-diffusion system undergoing Tur-ing instability and augment it by an additional unilateral source term. We investigate its influence on the Turing instability and on the character of resulting patterns. The nonsmooth positively homogeneous unilateral term τ v − has favourable properties in spite of the fact that the standard linear stability analysis cannot be performed. We illustrate the importance of the nonsmooth-ness by a numerical case study, which shows that the Turing instability can considerably change if we replace this term by its arbitrarily precise smooth approximation. However, the nonsmooth unilateral term and all its approximations yield qualitatively same patterns although not necessarily developing from arbitrarily small disturbances of the spatially homogeneous steady state. Further, we show that inserting the unilateral source into a classical system breaks the approximate symmetry and regularity of the classical patterns and yield...
Stať je věnovana kritickemu rozboru Stevensova (a Priceova) pojeti evolucni psychiatrie. Největsi... more Stať je věnovana kritickemu rozboru Stevensova (a Priceova) pojeti evolucni psychiatrie. Největsi pozornost je věnovana problemu, jestli je možne uspokojivě propojit poznatky z genocentricky orientovane evolucni biologie, klasicke etologie a Jungovy analyticke psychologie.
The article focuses on the possibility of the cultivation of biology inspired by the work of biol... more The article focuses on the possibility of the cultivation of biology inspired by the work of biologist A. Portmann. Insight into the problem is to some extent limited to the Czech language area, where Portmann’s ideas are relatively well established. The paper analyses the causes of latent tension between so-called Darwinists and Portmannists. There are a lot of misunderstandings at this point. First of all, it must be considered that Portmann didn’t disregard Darwin’s theory. The aim of the article is to show that Portmann’s ideas transcend a traditional Darwinian reduction of a life form to adaptive function. Divergence of these schools of thought comes from different opinions on the nature of science. The paper shows how dissimilarities of aims and means of biological exploration lead to different conclusions about living creatures. For research growing out of Portmann’s ideas, it is necessary not to consider Darwinism as a competitor, but as a thought-provoking partner for a dia...
Tzv. portmannismus je specifický, v biologii kořenici myslenkový směr, jehož dosah je v soucasne ... more Tzv. portmannismus je specifický, v biologii kořenici myslenkový směr, jehož dosah je v soucasne době omezen převažně na ceske země. Řada knižnich, casopiseckých a popularizacnich praci dokazuje, že na platformě Portmannových myslenek vznikla v Cechach specificka a originalni myslenkova skola. Portmann uznaval Darwinovu teorii, upozorňoval vsak na množstvi jevů, ktere si žadaji interpretaci sahajici za ramec znamých darwinistických mechanismů. Mezi zastanci Portmannovy nauky a hlavnim proudem (neo)darwinistů existuje napěti, ktere kořeni v různých pojetich vědy. Portmannismus je casto považovan za nauku miřici mimo ramec vědy: snažime se analyzovat opravněnost takových poukazů a zasadit je do kontextu teorie vědy. Ukazuje se, že přes důležite rozdily v cilech a užiti metodologických prostředků neni hranice mezi oběma přistupy ostře dana. Je připomenuta skutecnost, že od okamžiku přeneseni Portmannových myslenek do ceských zemi doslo ke generacni výměně jejich nositelů. Vychazi najev...
The presented work investigates various theories about the significance of felid coat patterns. M... more The presented work investigates various theories about the significance of felid coat patterns. Most of the hypotheses are based on the theory of adaptive function of animal colouration. As regards felids, it is generally believed that the coat pattern has the function of aggressive resemblance. Early testimonies about cryptic properties of colouration of cats are summarized to provide the historical perspective of the problem. Other putative adaptive functions of patterns are investigated (intraspecific communication, thermoregulation) and close attention is paid to the option that the spotted coat of the leopard (Panthera pardus) serves as a cue for recognition from the perspective of prey. In the next stage, some of the hypotheses are tested by statistical means. The problem is simplified into search for association between a given category of a coat pattern (e.g. spots, stripes) and usual habitat of felid species (e.g. forest, grassland). Pagel’s test for correlated changes is employed to account for phylogenetic relationships. In addition to broadly acknowledged hypotheses, the validity of proposition that juvenile coat patterns have the function of protective resemblance is tested. Finally, the problem of colouration of felids is linked to broader context of theoretical biology. Apart from prevailing (neo-)Darwinian perspective to the problem of animal colouration, the theory of colour conflict by Hingston and Portmann’s aesthetical morphology are discussed at great length. It is demonstrated that Portmann’s approach yields valuable insights into the problem of the colouration of felids, mainly ontogenetic colour change. Factors accounting for marginal position of Portmann’s investigations within the framework of current biology are analysed from epistemological and philosophical perspective.
The presented work investigates various theories about the significance of felid coat patterns. M... more The presented work investigates various theories about the significance of felid coat patterns. Most of the hypotheses are based on the theory of adaptive function of animal colouration. As regards felids, it is generally believed that the coat pattern has the function of aggressive resemblance. Early testimonies about cryptic properties of colouration of cats are summarized to provide the historical perspective of the problem. Other putative adaptive functions of patterns are investigated (intraspecific communication, thermoregulation) and close attention is paid to the option that the spotted coat of the leopard (Panthera pardus) serves as a cue for recognition from the perspective of prey. In the next stage, some of the hypotheses are tested by statistical means. The problem is simplified into search for association between a given category of a coat pattern (e.g. spots, stripes) and usual habitat of felid species (e.g. forest, grassland). Pagel’s test for correlated changes is employed to account for phylogenetic relationships. In addition to broadly acknowledged hypotheses, the validity of proposition that juvenile coat patterns have the function of protective resemblance is tested. Finally, the problem of colouration of felids is linked to broader context of theoretical biology. Apart from prevailing (neo-)Darwinian perspective to the problem of animal colouration, the theory of colour conflict by Hingston and Portmann’s aesthetical morphology are discussed at great length. It is demonstrated that Portmann’s approach yields valuable insights into the problem of the colouration of felids, mainly ontogenetic colour change. Factors accounting for marginal position of Portmann’s investigations within the framework of current biology are analysed from epistemological and philosophical perspective.
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In the next stage, some of the hypotheses are tested by statistical means. The problem is simplified into search for association between a given category of a coat pattern (e.g. spots, stripes) and usual habitat of felid species (e.g. forest, grassland). Pagel’s test for correlated changes is employed to account for phylogenetic relationships. In addition to broadly acknowledged hypotheses, the validity of proposition that juvenile coat patterns have the function of protective resemblance is tested.
Finally, the problem of colouration of felids is linked to broader context of theoretical biology. Apart from prevailing (neo-)Darwinian perspective to the problem of animal colouration, the theory of colour conflict by Hingston and Portmann’s aesthetical morphology are discussed at great length. It is demonstrated that Portmann’s approach yields valuable insights into the problem of the colouration of felids, mainly ontogenetic colour change. Factors accounting for marginal position of Portmann’s investigations within the framework of current biology are analysed from epistemological and philosophical perspective.