Julie Hui and Terrence Deacon
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780197264522
- eISBN:
- 9780191734724
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197264522.003.0009
- Subject:
- Psychology, Evolutionary Psychology
Each generation of evolutionary biologists has brought a fresh wave of attempts to answer the evolutionary riddle of altruism. However, none describe how such a condition could incrementally evolve ...
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Each generation of evolutionary biologists has brought a fresh wave of attempts to answer the evolutionary riddle of altruism. However, none describe how such a condition could incrementally evolve from a prior condition of non-cooperation. This chapter describes a mechanism that could spontaneously and incrementally give rise to a synergistic codependence among individuals within a social group. It shows that prolonged social living in the absence of reproductive cost can mask selection-maintaining traits important for autonomous living, causing them to drift and degrade to the point where individuals can no longer succeed outside the social context. This ‘social addiction’ will subsequently favour traits that maintain social cohesion because of the high cost of group dispersion. This mechanism contributes a missing complementary component to existing selection-based explanations of the evolution of pro-social and altruistic behaviours.Less
Each generation of evolutionary biologists has brought a fresh wave of attempts to answer the evolutionary riddle of altruism. However, none describe how such a condition could incrementally evolve from a prior condition of non-cooperation. This chapter describes a mechanism that could spontaneously and incrementally give rise to a synergistic codependence among individuals within a social group. It shows that prolonged social living in the absence of reproductive cost can mask selection-maintaining traits important for autonomous living, causing them to drift and degrade to the point where individuals can no longer succeed outside the social context. This ‘social addiction’ will subsequently favour traits that maintain social cohesion because of the high cost of group dispersion. This mechanism contributes a missing complementary component to existing selection-based explanations of the evolution of pro-social and altruistic behaviours.
John Alcock
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195182743
- eISBN:
- 9780199790005
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195182743.003.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
This chapter describes the warty hammer orchid, a plant with an amazingly unflower-like flower that attracts a particular wasp, which is deceived into attempting to mate with the flower. Darwin’s ...
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This chapter describes the warty hammer orchid, a plant with an amazingly unflower-like flower that attracts a particular wasp, which is deceived into attempting to mate with the flower. Darwin’s method of studying the pollination of other orchids is described, and used to illustrate how evolutionary biologists can test hypotheses on the adaptive value of the attributes of living things.Less
This chapter describes the warty hammer orchid, a plant with an amazingly unflower-like flower that attracts a particular wasp, which is deceived into attempting to mate with the flower. Darwin’s method of studying the pollination of other orchids is described, and used to illustrate how evolutionary biologists can test hypotheses on the adaptive value of the attributes of living things.
Eileen Lacey (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780520098534
- eISBN:
- 9780520916098
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520098534.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology
This book combines a series of research papers with more informal recollections of James L. Patton, who served as Curator of Mammals in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and as Professor of ...
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This book combines a series of research papers with more informal recollections of James L. Patton, who served as Curator of Mammals in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and as Professor of Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, from 1969 until 2001. As a curator and a member of the Berkeley faculty, Patton made an indelible mark on vertebrate evolutionary biology. In addition to significantly advancing studies of mammalian evolutionary genetics, systematics, and phylogeography, he was instrumental in shaping the careers of vertebrate biologists throughout the Americas. This book brings to life both the career and personality of this evolutionary biologist.Less
This book combines a series of research papers with more informal recollections of James L. Patton, who served as Curator of Mammals in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and as Professor of Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, from 1969 until 2001. As a curator and a member of the Berkeley faculty, Patton made an indelible mark on vertebrate evolutionary biology. In addition to significantly advancing studies of mammalian evolutionary genetics, systematics, and phylogeography, he was instrumental in shaping the careers of vertebrate biologists throughout the Americas. This book brings to life both the career and personality of this evolutionary biologist.
James Griesemer
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- August 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262015141
- eISBN:
- 9780262295642
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262015141.003.0031
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
This chapter examines the significance of epigenetic inheritance in evolutionary biology. It focuses on the differing theoretical goals and commitments of mechanistic molecular biologists and ...
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This chapter examines the significance of epigenetic inheritance in evolutionary biology. It focuses on the differing theoretical goals and commitments of mechanistic molecular biologists and quantitative evolutionary biologists on the relative significance claims about the role of epigenetic inheritance in evolution.Less
This chapter examines the significance of epigenetic inheritance in evolutionary biology. It focuses on the differing theoretical goals and commitments of mechanistic molecular biologists and quantitative evolutionary biologists on the relative significance claims about the role of epigenetic inheritance in evolution.
Patricia Primehouse
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- February 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780226748610
- eISBN:
- 9780226748597
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226748597.003.0009
- Subject:
- Biology, Paleontology
This chapter investigates whether Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould's theory of punctuated equilibrium challenges the central foundations of Darwinism. It argues that punctuated equilibrium has ...
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This chapter investigates whether Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould's theory of punctuated equilibrium challenges the central foundations of Darwinism. It argues that punctuated equilibrium has successfully influenced important work on hierarchy in natural selection that was instrumental in gaining recognition and respect for paleobiology among evolutionary biologists. This chapter also discusses what it means to be a Darwinian.Less
This chapter investigates whether Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould's theory of punctuated equilibrium challenges the central foundations of Darwinism. It argues that punctuated equilibrium has successfully influenced important work on hierarchy in natural selection that was instrumental in gaining recognition and respect for paleobiology among evolutionary biologists. This chapter also discusses what it means to be a Darwinian.
David Sepkoski
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- February 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780226748559
- eISBN:
- 9780226748580
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226748580.003.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Paleontology
The fossil record was widely considered as an imperfect text for supporting evolutionary theory by evolutionary biologists, so paleobiologists came up with the strategy to “reread” that text in a ...
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The fossil record was widely considered as an imperfect text for supporting evolutionary theory by evolutionary biologists, so paleobiologists came up with the strategy to “reread” that text in a manner that could produce reliable evolutionary insight to gain greater acceptance. This chapter identifies and discuses the three main approaches for “rereading” the fossil record that were developed by paleobiologists. The first approach, attempted by paleobiologists is a “literal reading” in which the fossil record, with all its renowned gaps and inconsistencies, was taken at face value as a reliable document. The second approach is known as “idealized rereading”, and here the physical particulars of the fossil record were ignored, and the history of life—the species, genera, families, etc., that make up the actual record—was modeled as a series of homogeneous data points. The final or third approach is known as a “generalized rereading”, this approach encompasses a combination of the other two approaches, and it ultimately became the dominant methodology in analytical paleobiology.Less
The fossil record was widely considered as an imperfect text for supporting evolutionary theory by evolutionary biologists, so paleobiologists came up with the strategy to “reread” that text in a manner that could produce reliable evolutionary insight to gain greater acceptance. This chapter identifies and discuses the three main approaches for “rereading” the fossil record that were developed by paleobiologists. The first approach, attempted by paleobiologists is a “literal reading” in which the fossil record, with all its renowned gaps and inconsistencies, was taken at face value as a reliable document. The second approach is known as “idealized rereading”, and here the physical particulars of the fossil record were ignored, and the history of life—the species, genera, families, etc., that make up the actual record—was modeled as a series of homogeneous data points. The final or third approach is known as a “generalized rereading”, this approach encompasses a combination of the other two approaches, and it ultimately became the dominant methodology in analytical paleobiology.
Francesco Santini and Lodovico Galleni
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- August 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262194983
- eISBN:
- 9780262283182
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262194983.003.0033
- Subject:
- Environmental Science, Climate
This chapter discusses the strong criticism received by the Gaia theory and geophysiology from neo-Darwinian evolutionary biologists. Given that until very recently evolutionary theory was dominated ...
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This chapter discusses the strong criticism received by the Gaia theory and geophysiology from neo-Darwinian evolutionary biologists. Given that until very recently evolutionary theory was dominated by neo-Darwinism, it is usually assumed that Gaia theory and evolutionary biology are not compatible. It is shown here that this is a false impression. This chapter shows that evolutionary theory is much more heterogeneous than commonly assumed, and that various theories of biological evolution are not incompatible with Gaia theory. Many of these theories, which in no way deny Darwinian evolution even though they reject the extremist neo-Darwinian spin of it, seem to be perfectly complemented by and integrated with Gaia theory. It is also argued here that because one of the main reasons for the dominance of neo-Darwinian theory so far has lain in the ability of its proponents to frame their theories within a sound mathematical framework, any alternative theory of evolution must be developed within a sound mathematical framework as well.Less
This chapter discusses the strong criticism received by the Gaia theory and geophysiology from neo-Darwinian evolutionary biologists. Given that until very recently evolutionary theory was dominated by neo-Darwinism, it is usually assumed that Gaia theory and evolutionary biology are not compatible. It is shown here that this is a false impression. This chapter shows that evolutionary theory is much more heterogeneous than commonly assumed, and that various theories of biological evolution are not incompatible with Gaia theory. Many of these theories, which in no way deny Darwinian evolution even though they reject the extremist neo-Darwinian spin of it, seem to be perfectly complemented by and integrated with Gaia theory. It is also argued here that because one of the main reasons for the dominance of neo-Darwinian theory so far has lain in the ability of its proponents to frame their theories within a sound mathematical framework, any alternative theory of evolution must be developed within a sound mathematical framework as well.
Philip Husbands, Owen Holland, and Michael Wheeler
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- August 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262083775
- eISBN:
- 9780262256384
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262083775.003.0015
- Subject:
- Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
John Maynard Smith (1920–2004) was one of the great evolutionary biologists, making many important contributions, including the application of game theory to understanding evolutionary strategies, ...
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John Maynard Smith (1920–2004) was one of the great evolutionary biologists, making many important contributions, including the application of game theory to understanding evolutionary strategies, and a clear definition of the major transitions in the history of life. This chapter presents an edited transcript of an interview conducted on 21 May 2003, in his office in the John Maynard Smith Building at the University of Sussex. Maynard provides insight into the spirit of science immediately after the Second World War as well as into the early influence of cybernetics on developmental and evolutionary biology.Less
John Maynard Smith (1920–2004) was one of the great evolutionary biologists, making many important contributions, including the application of game theory to understanding evolutionary strategies, and a clear definition of the major transitions in the history of life. This chapter presents an edited transcript of an interview conducted on 21 May 2003, in his office in the John Maynard Smith Building at the University of Sussex. Maynard provides insight into the spirit of science immediately after the Second World War as well as into the early influence of cybernetics on developmental and evolutionary biology.
George McGhee
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- August 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262016421
- eISBN:
- 9780262298872
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262016421.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
Charles Darwin famously concluded On the Origin of Species with a vision of “endless forms most beautiful” continually evolving. More than 150 years later, many evolutionary biologists see not ...
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Charles Darwin famously concluded On the Origin of Species with a vision of “endless forms most beautiful” continually evolving. More than 150 years later, many evolutionary biologists see not endless forms but the same, or very similar, forms evolving repeatedly in many independent species lineages. A porpoise’s fishlike fins, for example, are not inherited from fish ancestors but are independently derived convergent traits. This book describes the ubiquity of the phenomenon of convergent evolution and connects it directly to the concept of evolutionary constraint—the idea that the number of evolutionary pathways available to life are not endless, but quite limited. Convergent evolution occurs on all levels, from tiny organic molecules to entire ecosystems of species. The author demonstrates its ubiquity in animals, both herbivore and carnivore; in plants; in ecosystems; in molecules, including DNA, proteins, and enzymes; and even in minds, describing problem-solving behavior and group behavior as the products of convergence. For each species example, he provides an abbreviated list of the major nodes in its phylogenetic classification, allowing the reader to see the evolutionary relationship of a group of species that have independently evolved a similar trait by convergent evolution. The author analyzes the role of functional and developmental constraints in producing convergent evolution, and considers the scientific and philosophical implications of convergent evolution for the predictability of the evolutionary process.Less
Charles Darwin famously concluded On the Origin of Species with a vision of “endless forms most beautiful” continually evolving. More than 150 years later, many evolutionary biologists see not endless forms but the same, or very similar, forms evolving repeatedly in many independent species lineages. A porpoise’s fishlike fins, for example, are not inherited from fish ancestors but are independently derived convergent traits. This book describes the ubiquity of the phenomenon of convergent evolution and connects it directly to the concept of evolutionary constraint—the idea that the number of evolutionary pathways available to life are not endless, but quite limited. Convergent evolution occurs on all levels, from tiny organic molecules to entire ecosystems of species. The author demonstrates its ubiquity in animals, both herbivore and carnivore; in plants; in ecosystems; in molecules, including DNA, proteins, and enzymes; and even in minds, describing problem-solving behavior and group behavior as the products of convergence. For each species example, he provides an abbreviated list of the major nodes in its phylogenetic classification, allowing the reader to see the evolutionary relationship of a group of species that have independently evolved a similar trait by convergent evolution. The author analyzes the role of functional and developmental constraints in producing convergent evolution, and considers the scientific and philosophical implications of convergent evolution for the predictability of the evolutionary process.
Tim Lenton and Andrew Watson
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- December 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199587049
- eISBN:
- 9780191775031
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199587049.003.0006
- Subject:
- Physics, Geophysics, Atmospheric and Environmental Physics
This chapter aims to identify the most likely candidates for critical steps – truly difficult events that may have determined the pace of evolution through Earth history. A good place to start is the ...
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This chapter aims to identify the most likely candidates for critical steps – truly difficult events that may have determined the pace of evolution through Earth history. A good place to start is the list of ‘SMS’ transitions: these are critically important events in the increasing complexity of life, at least according to the two eminent evolutionary biologists Eors Szathmary and John Maynard Smith. However, these transitions are defined differently from our critical steps, and we cannot simply take their list as our definitive answer. SMS are interested in how the unit of natural selection changed through time, and they define their transitions as occurring when a new type of reproductive unit evolves, such as the gene, the cell, or the colony. There is a good theoretical reason why such transitions from a lower to a higher unit of reproduction can be very difficult – selection at the lower levels usually acts to destabilise higher-level units.Less
This chapter aims to identify the most likely candidates for critical steps – truly difficult events that may have determined the pace of evolution through Earth history. A good place to start is the list of ‘SMS’ transitions: these are critically important events in the increasing complexity of life, at least according to the two eminent evolutionary biologists Eors Szathmary and John Maynard Smith. However, these transitions are defined differently from our critical steps, and we cannot simply take their list as our definitive answer. SMS are interested in how the unit of natural selection changed through time, and they define their transitions as occurring when a new type of reproductive unit evolves, such as the gene, the cell, or the colony. There is a good theoretical reason why such transitions from a lower to a higher unit of reproduction can be very difficult – selection at the lower levels usually acts to destabilise higher-level units.
Larry Allen
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780520246539
- eISBN:
- 9780520932470
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520246539.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Aquatic Biology
Marine fishes have been intensively studied, and some of the fundamental ideas in the science of marine ecology have emerged from the body of knowledge derived from this diverse group of organisms. ...
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Marine fishes have been intensively studied, and some of the fundamental ideas in the science of marine ecology have emerged from the body of knowledge derived from this diverse group of organisms. This book provides a synthesis and interpretation of the large, often daunting, body of information on the ecology of marine fishes. The focus is on the fauna of the eastern Pacific, especially the fishes of the California coast, a group among the most diverse and best studied of all marine ecosystems. This volume sheds new light on the study of marine fish ecology worldwide. The contributors touch on many fields in biology, including physiology, development, genetics, behavior, ecology, and evolution. The book includes sections on the history of research, both published and unpublished data, sections on collecting techniques, and references to important earlier studies.Less
Marine fishes have been intensively studied, and some of the fundamental ideas in the science of marine ecology have emerged from the body of knowledge derived from this diverse group of organisms. This book provides a synthesis and interpretation of the large, often daunting, body of information on the ecology of marine fishes. The focus is on the fauna of the eastern Pacific, especially the fishes of the California coast, a group among the most diverse and best studied of all marine ecosystems. This volume sheds new light on the study of marine fish ecology worldwide. The contributors touch on many fields in biology, including physiology, development, genetics, behavior, ecology, and evolution. The book includes sections on the history of research, both published and unpublished data, sections on collecting techniques, and references to important earlier studies.
