進化学 | Ecological Notes Web

What are the differences between Japanese yam (Dioscorea japonica), Chinese yam (Dioscorea japonica), Japanese yam (Dioscorea tokoro), and bitter yam (Dioscorea japonica)? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Why do they produce bulbils? Their reproductive strategies were diverse!

Japanese yam (Dioscorea japonica), Chinese yam (Dioscorea longa), Japanese yam (Dioscorea tokoro), and bitter yam (Dioscorea japonica) all belong to the genus Dioscorea in the family Dioscoreaceae. They produce edible tubers and bulbils, and are very common climbing perennial plants often seen in urban areas. The genus Dioscorea, also known as yam, is a group that includes a vast number of species...

2026.03.18

plant

What are the differences between white magnolia, kobushi magnolia, star magnolia, and tamushiba magnolia? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Is it a myth that their flowers are primitive? What is the purpose of their conspicuous red seeds?

White magnolia, kobushi magnolia, star magnolia, and tamushiba all belong to the Magnolia genus of the Magnoliaceae family. Being deciduous trees, they shed their leaves in winter, and around April, like cherry blossoms, they produce large, white, polypetalous flowers—one per branch—before the leaves appear. A key characteristic of these trees is...

2026.03.10

plant

What are the differences, roles, functions, and ways to remember the stomachs of ruminants (tripe, honeycomb tripe, omasum, and abomasum)? Why did rumination evolve?

When you go to a yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) restaurant, you might see four parts of the cow's stomach (fore-stomach) listed as offal: mino, hachinosu, senmai, and giara. Because they have a distinctive taste and are internal organs, people either love them or hate them, but their chewy texture and compatibility with alcohol make them a popular choice...

2026.01.22

animal

アドラー心理学は怪しい？胡散臭い？エセ科学？どこまで証明されてる？科学的根拠やよくある誤解を解説！

アドラー心理学を一言でまとめるなら、「自分の人生を自分で選び（自己決定性）、目的に沿って行動し（目的論）、余計な他者コントロールを手放す（課題の分離）ことで、他者と協力して生きる力（共同体感覚）を育てる心理学」と言えます。しかし、彼の心理学...

2026.01.20

animalhistory

リズム感と拍子（2拍子・4拍子・3拍子）の起源とは？進化生物学的・歴史的な由来を解説！

音楽を聴いたり、歌を歌ったり、ダンスが趣味になると、自然とリズム感や拍子といったものに関心を持つようになっていきます。しかしその起源は？と考えると答えられない部分が多いと思います。あまりにも自然にリズムにノッてしまうことが多いので疑問にも思...

2025.11.12

animalhistory

キャットミントとイヌハッカ（キャットニップ）の違いは？ミントとの違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説！なぜネコを酩酊状態にする？実は蚊よけだった！？

キャットミントとイヌハッカ（キャットニップ）はシソ科イヌハッカ属に含まれ、日本でもハーブとして、または観賞用に盛んに栽培されている多年草です。上唇が突き出す大きな花冠は特徴ですが、それよりもネコ科動物を酩酊状態にする「マタタビ反応」を引き起...

2025.03.13

plant

What are the differences between poppies, common poppies, and long-headed poppies? How do they differ from Icelandic poppies? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Did humans themselves evolve the "Devil Fruit," which has both significant merits and demerits?

Poppies, including the common poppy, thick-flowered poppy, and long-headed poppy, all belong to the genus Papaver in the family Papaveraceae and are collectively known as poppies. They are very popular as ornamental plants due to their beautiful, large single flowers and are widely cultivated. However, despite being poisonous and prone to naturalization, they are difficult to identify...

2025.02.18

plant

What are the differences between mustard greens, rapeseed, European rapeseed, and black mustard? How do their uses differ? Why did they evolve to be spicy? Brassica plants, essential for Japanese mustard and salad oil, have increased fruit production thanks to insect visits!

Brassica napus, rapeseed, European rapeseed, and black mustard are four species of yellow flowers that bloom in spring and belong to the Brassicaceae family. Their flower shapes are almost identical, and their habitats are also nearly the same. Furthermore, there are many closely related species, making identification extremely confusing. This complexity is such that even researchers sometimes misidentify them. Recent research has revealed...

2021.09.21

plant