The Confrontation of Experimental and Field Studies

Abstract

Evolutionary thinking has made DVM research undeniably richer, but the historical perspective also led to an alienation from science. For disciplines like physiology, molecular genetics or developmental biology, with a strong base in rigorous experiments, this has not happened. In DVM research, speculations about the evolutionary development and adaptive significances adorn discussions, but remain often to a large extent free of obligations to present factual evidence. To serve the idea of “optimal” performances, too many assumptions about animal behaviour have to be made, not hampered by knowledge. New terms and notions have been introduced, suggesting progress.