Posts by Prof. Nathan H. Lents
Professor Nathan H. Lents is a tenured associate professor of molecular biology at John Jay College of the City University of New York, a visiting professor at the University of Lincoln (UK), and author of "Not So Different: Finding Human Nature in Animals" (Columbia University Press, 2016). Professor Lents conducts research in three areas: forensic botany, the human microbiome, and teaching/learning biology at the college level. His work has been funded by the NIH, NSF, US Dept. of Ed, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. He also maintains The Human Evolution Blog and authors most of its content.
(9) results in Blog
March 7, 2017
Social Learning in Animals: Implications for the Evolution of Human Intelligence
Cross-posted with the permission of Prof. Nathan H. Lents, originally posted at The Human Evolution Blog. The human capacity to learn exceeds that of any other animal. Indeed, our massive memories and impressive computing power are the...
December 5, 2016
The biological foundations of justice
Cross-posted with the permission of Prof. Nathan H. Lents, originally posted at The Human Evolution Blog. It’s not immediately obvious why we should consider animal behavior when we think about how best to craft a system...
January 19, 2016
“Virtual paleontology” provides insight into last common ancestor with Neanderthals
Cross-posted with the permission of Prof. Nathan H. Lents, originally posted at The Human Evolution Blog. While we are still discovering how and where the many branches of the hominin family tree explored the world, most evidence...
October 8, 2015
Discovery of Homo naledi demonstrates need to revise the Homo genus
Cross-posted with the permission of Dr. Nathan Lents, originally posted at The Human Evolution Blog. 2015 has been a very exciting year for Paleoanthropology. No doubt the pinnacle was the discovery of a brand-new hominin species: Homo naledi, a bombastic...
August 18, 2015
The birth of a cultural meme: the “do not disturb” gesture in Mandrills
Cross-posted with the permission of Dr. Nathan H. Lents from his The Human Evolution Blog. Mandrills are, literally, one of the most colorful creatures on earth and certainly the most colorful primates. Their striking faces are matched...
May 11, 2015
Did Neanderthals Divide Labor by Gender Roles?
Cross-posted with the permission of Dr. Nathan Lents from his The Human Evolution Blog. It is not uncommon among social mammals to engage in division of labor between the sexes. Female lions do all of the...
December 17, 2014
Wolverines Give Insight into the Evolution of Greed
Cross-posted with the permission of Dr. Nathan Lents from his The Human Evolution Blog. Greed is often defined as the intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food. Although we usually associate this unseemly...
November 3, 2014
Florida Lizards Show that Evolutionary Change can be Rapid
Cross-posted with the permission of Dr. Nathan Lents from his The Human Evolution Blog. Green anole Small lizards called anoles are found throughout the Caribbean islands and nearby mainland areas. The coastal and swamp regions of...
September 20, 2014
Modern Humans and Neanderthals co-existed in Europe for thousands of years
Cross-posted with the permission of Dr. Nathan Lents from his The Human Evolution Blog. In the extended family tree of the modern human species, our closest relatives are the Neanderthals, officially called Homo neanderthalensis. Although it...
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