Re: Thou Shalt Not Climb!

[David Marjanovic <david.marjanovic@gmx.at>]

> As we often see, what I'm asking receives no response...

Some questions are just too tough :-)

> I'm honestly asking for any input anyone has on how/why selection
> selected for an arboreal lifestyle if the animals were not originally
> arboreal. There has to be some idea(s) out there...

I currently think that arboreality came after flight. If I'm right, reasons 
for becoming arboreal are easy to imagine: flight opens a whole new world 
poor in predators but at least as rich in food as the forest floor -- even 
if the animals in question suck at climbing.

That's why most arboreal birds today don't climb: flying has even more 
advantages for a small arboreal animal.