Category: The Galápagos and Ecuador
In July 2024, we took a two-week trip to the scenic and biodiverse country of Ecuador. During the first week, we traveled by boat to many of the Galápagos Islands, and during the second, we explored the mainland. Although our blog usually discusses biological anthropology, our trip to the Galápagos gave us a newfound appreciation for the biologies of plants in addition to animals besides humans. Thus, some posts deviate from anthropology but discuss evolutionary concepts that also apply to humans. Enjoy reading about Ecuador’s fascinating culture, flora, and fauna as well as the wonderful inhabitants! If you are looking to volunteer in Ecuador or help the country in some way, we recommend starting with the posts on condors and tortoises, both of which are endangered.
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Biological Adaptations to High Altitudes in Ecuador (Riya Johnson)
Introduction After living in the mountains of Ecuador for a few days, my mother began experiencing headaches and nausea. I learned that she was suffering from mountain sickness, a result of hypoxia: a lack of oxygen supply in body tissues that increases at higher altitudes. Additional symptoms of mountain sickness include fatigue and breathlessness. However,… Read more
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A Small Country Brimming With Diversity (Alyna Johnson)
Introduction Since Ecuador is smaller than a single US state, Arizona, I had assumed that its population would be homogenous. Little did I know that there are many fragmented ethnic groups. The Spaniards extensively propagated Quichua to unite Ecuadorians through a single language and catechize them, or teach them the principles of Christianity. However, societal… Read more
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Natural Selection in the Galápagos (Riya Johnson)
Introduction When you hear the term “survival of the fittest,” what do you think? You may know that according to the theory of natural selection, nature favors organisms that are well-adapted to their environments, so these organisms survive longer. However, a misconception about this term is that evolutionary success is determined by the ability to… Read more
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The Past, Present, and Future of Condors (Alyna Johnson)
Introduction During the third day of our trip, we visited a center that is part of the Condor Huasi Project at Hacienda Zuleta and that works to conserve the shrinking condor population. The biologist at the center explained the tragic story of the Andean condor as well as other condor species in different countries. We… Read more
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Sexual Selection in the Galápagos (Riya Johnson)
Introduction Charles Darwin once said, “The sight of a peacock makes me sick.” Why did male peacocks’ extravagant feathers provoke Darwin? He could not understand why male peacocks had developed such a disadvantageous trait, for their tail feathers consume significant energy to grow and carry during flight. Also, the bright colors make peacocks vulnerable to… Read more
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Eating at the Center of the Earth (Alyna Johnson)
Introduction Food has always been an interest of mine. In fact, whenever I read travel books, I immediately flip to the pages on local cuisine. On my trips, I enjoy trying new dishes and learning about the roles food plays in different cultures. In Ecuador, I tried a variety of foods and observed how the… Read more