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Biased Embryos and Evolution Wallace Arthur (National University of Ireland, Galway)

Biased Embryos and Evolution By Wallace Arthur (National University of Ireland, Galway)

Biased Embryos and Evolution by Wallace Arthur (National University of Ireland, Galway)


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Summary

This is the first book on the new field of Evolutionary Developmental Biology that is aimed primarily at an undergraduate and general readership. It focuses on the question of how embryonic development changes in the course of evolution, thus giving rise to new types of creatures.

Biased Embryos and Evolution Summary

Biased Embryos and Evolution by Wallace Arthur (National University of Ireland, Galway)

What determines the direction of evolutionary change? This book provides a revolutionary answer to this question. Many biologists, from Darwin's day to our own, have been satisfied with the answer 'natural selection'. Professor Wallace Arthur is not. He takes the controversial view that biases in the ways that embryos can be altered are just as important as natural selection in determining the directions that evolution has taken, including the one that led to the origin of humans. This argument forms the core of the book. However, in addition, the book summarizes other important issues relating to how embryonic (and post-embryonic) development evolves. Written in an easy, conversational style, this is the first book for students and the general reader that provides an account of the exciting new field of Evolutionary Developmental Biology ('Evo-Devo' to its proponents).

Biased Embryos and Evolution Reviews

'I thoroughly enjoyed this book ... it is short, clearly written and easy to understand ...'. Trends in Ecology and Evolution
'... written with exemplary clarity and charm, and is clearly intended for the general reader or undergraduate ... a gentle and engaging account ...'. Nature
'... an excellent account of how development influences evolution ... I highly recommend Arthur's book to all fellows of developmental and evolutionary biology.' Ralf J. Sommer, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology

About Wallace Arthur (National University of Ireland, Galway)

Professor Wallace Arthur is in the Integrative Biology Group at the University of Sunderland, UK. He is the author of six previous books.

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. The microscopic horse; 2. What 'drives' evolution?; 3. Darwin: pluralism with a single core; 4. How to build a body; 5. A brief history of the last billion years; 6. Preamble to the quiet revolution; 7. The return of the organism; 8. Possible creatures; 9. The beginnings of bias; 10. A deceptively simple question; 11. Development's twin arrows; 12. Action and reaction; 13. Evolvability: organisms in bits; 14. Back to the trees; 15. Stripes and spots; 16. Towards 'The Inclusive Synthesis'; 17. Social creatures; Glossary; References.

Additional information

NPB9780521833820
9780521833820
0521833825
Biased Embryos and Evolution by Wallace Arthur (National University of Ireland, Galway)
New
Hardback
Cambridge University Press
2004-05-27
248
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
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