▶ Your Answer :
The reading passage contends that the
function of Antlers can be fully explained by three theories. On the other
hand, the lecturer brings up several points that contradicts this argument.
First, the reading passage contends that the
antlers are used to obtain the mates and to establish dominance in competition
for mating. However, the lecturer rebuts the reading passage’s assertion by
saying that deer use vocalization and body posture in order to establish dominance.
Also, the study shows that the female deer select male deer with small antlers.
This implies that it is unlikely that the role of antlers is to appeal to the
mates.
Second, the reading passage states that
deer use their antlers to mark the territory that they control. However, the
lecturer thinks that the reading passage’s statement is not enough to prove it.
This is because deer use scent instead of visual marking to mark the territory.
To be specific, deer rub their secretion to the trees and the scent of
secretion is detected by other males. Furthermore, deer rub their antlers to
remove the soft outer skin of antlers rather than create scrape marks. This
implies that antlers do not be used to mark the territory.
Third, the reading passage contends that
the function of antlers is to defend deer from predators. However, the lecturer
is in the opposition to the idea. The lecturer claims that if the antlers were used
to defend deer from predators, they would maintain for a year. However, antlers
shed in winter when deer are weaker and thus they need protection. Also, female deer protect their younger deer from
predator even though they do not have antlers. This implies that antlers are
not used to defend deer from predators. |