Paul M on Teleodynamics / Evolution

[theo-armour]

Copied from Paul M's email:

This thread is intended to present examples of expression of teleodynamic constraint in the real world.

In this first case, it is the relationship between the teleodynamic constraint of DNA in ground-dwelling mice and the burrows they tend to construct. Relevant links:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/17/science/mouse-study-discovers-dna-that-controls-behavior.html
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v493/n7432/full/nature11816.html

The study interbred two types of mice, one that constructs burrows close to the surface with no escape tunnel, and one that constructs burrows deep below the surface with an additional escape tunnel. The two tendencies were inherited separately, so that the study could designate separate DNA regions as influencing the length of the burrow tunnel or the addition of an escape tunnel. The expression of DNA in the final burrow is not absolutely determinate, but only appears with some statistical likelihood.

I should think that this study presents a general method for determining how DNA tends to influence instinctual behavior of many kinds. One that springs to mind immediately is watching a dog that has never slept outdoors still turn round and round on a cushion before lying down, as if arranging leaves into a comfortable bed. Since this is, however, general canine behavior, the region of DNA controlling it would be harder to locate.