Stéphane Schmitt
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- September 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780199377176
- eISBN:
- 9780199377190
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780199377176.003.0011
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, General
The problem of the repeated parts of organisms was at the center of the biological sciences as early as the first decades of the 19th century. Some concepts and theories (e.g., serial homology, unity ...
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The problem of the repeated parts of organisms was at the center of the biological sciences as early as the first decades of the 19th century. Some concepts and theories (e.g., serial homology, unity of plan, or colonial theory) introduced in order to explain the similarity as well as the differences between the repeated structures of an organism were reused throughout the 19th and the 20th century, in spite of the fundamental changes during this long period that saw the diffusion of the evolutionary theory, the rise of experimental approaches, and the emergence of new fields and disciplines. Interestingly, this conceptual heritage was at the core of any attempt to unify the problems of inheritance, development, and evolution, in particular in the last decades, with the rise of “evo-devo.” This chapter examines the conditions of this theoretical continuity and the challenges it brings out for the current evolutionary sciences.Less
The problem of the repeated parts of organisms was at the center of the biological sciences as early as the first decades of the 19th century. Some concepts and theories (e.g., serial homology, unity of plan, or colonial theory) introduced in order to explain the similarity as well as the differences between the repeated structures of an organism were reused throughout the 19th and the 20th century, in spite of the fundamental changes during this long period that saw the diffusion of the evolutionary theory, the rise of experimental approaches, and the emergence of new fields and disciplines. Interestingly, this conceptual heritage was at the core of any attempt to unify the problems of inheritance, development, and evolution, in particular in the last decades, with the rise of “evo-devo.” This chapter examines the conditions of this theoretical continuity and the challenges it brings out for the current evolutionary sciences.
Günter P. Wagner
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691156460
- eISBN:
- 9781400851461
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691156460.003.0011
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
This chapter focuses on the evolutionary processes underlying fins and limbs. Some of the most momentous periods in the history of the human lineage involved evolutionary changes to the paired ...
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This chapter focuses on the evolutionary processes underlying fins and limbs. Some of the most momentous periods in the history of the human lineage involved evolutionary changes to the paired appendages. Modifications of the hind limb and foot were key during the evolution of bipedal locomotion and the erect posture that is characteristic of humans. Evolutionary biologists have devoted a lot of time and effort in studying both the origin of paired fins and the transformation of fins to tetrapod limbs. The chapter first considers fossil evidence and recent developmental evidence on the origin of paired fins before discussing the fin–limb transition. It also reflects on the nature of character identity and suggests that the origin and evolution of fins and limbs reveal an intriguing pattern of serial homology, identity, and innovation that contradicts the notion of hierarchical homology.Less
This chapter focuses on the evolutionary processes underlying fins and limbs. Some of the most momentous periods in the history of the human lineage involved evolutionary changes to the paired appendages. Modifications of the hind limb and foot were key during the evolution of bipedal locomotion and the erect posture that is characteristic of humans. Evolutionary biologists have devoted a lot of time and effort in studying both the origin of paired fins and the transformation of fins to tetrapod limbs. The chapter first considers fossil evidence and recent developmental evidence on the origin of paired fins before discussing the fin–limb transition. It also reflects on the nature of character identity and suggests that the origin and evolution of fins and limbs reveal an intriguing pattern of serial homology, identity, and innovation that contradicts the notion of hierarchical homology.
