this post was submitted on 23 May 2025
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Science Memes

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[–] fristislurper@feddit.nl 0 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

Probably, although there would still need to be some evolutionary pressure for forward facing eyes... I wonder what it is.

[–] Num10ck@lemmy.world 0 points 2 weeks ago

maybe living in caves?

[–] wischi@programming.dev 0 points 2 weeks ago

I'm not sure for that specific case, but in the general case there doesn't need to be evolutionary pressure for change. If there is no pressure one way or the other random mutations can (and will over time) cause change without environmental reason (genetic drift).

[–] abies_exarchia@lemm.ee 0 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Not necessarily, with “genetic drift” random phenotypic changes can happen that have a neutral effect on fitness. So if they don’t need side-facing eyes, then this can just happen randomly. Especially if the sideways eyes are in some way “costly” to maintain

[–] kurwa@lemmy.world 0 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

If sideways eyes are "costly" compared to forward facing eyes, then that would technically be a push for forward facing.

[–] stephen01king@lemmy.zip 0 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] kurwa@lemmy.world 0 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] OrteilGenou@lemmy.world 0 points 2 weeks ago
[–] jol@discuss.tchncs.de 0 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Or goats just find forward facing eyes to be sexier.

[–] Bear_pile@lemm.ee 0 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

There was an interesting study done with zebra finches. In it they glued fake mohawkes on males and found that females selected them over unaltered males, even though it didn't naturally occur in the species. So there is some precedence for the possibility that the forward facing eyes were simply "sexier".

[–] jol@discuss.tchncs.de 0 points 2 weeks ago

I mean you can do a smoldering sexy look at someone if your eyes face sideways. Makes total sense.

[–] BleatingZombie@lemmy.world 0 points 2 weeks ago

I've always wondered if there was a term for evolutionary changes that weren't needed!

[–] AngrySquirrel@lemm.ee 0 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Depth perception in advantageous. It is even beneficial for island goat activities.

With the absence of natural predators, the disadvantages of the narrow field of view are mostly outweighed by the advantages of depth perception .

[–] glowing_hans@sopuli.xyz 0 points 3 days ago

beneficial for island goat activities

lmao, "island goat activities" is the best 3 word combination. Here are thoughts what island goat activities are:

  1. Scavenging for food
  2. estimating mountain height for rock climbing
  3. chasing away competitors