Animal cultures and a general theory of cultural evolution

摘要: Abstract A review of evidence reveals that animal traditions are phylogenetically widespread, appearing in all major vertebrate classes and the Insecta. Some, but not all, these fit a general definition culture, further indicates cultural some avian mammalian species may constitute complex systems. The culture employed here is based on concensus anthropological thought population thinking. Population thinking then used to develop theory branching-reticulate evolution. This identifies causal mechanisms for change resultant patterns human nonhuman cultures. Cultural evolution viewed at three levels: microevolution; institutions; lineages parallels with, differences between, organic discussed detail. applied specific instances several