Evolution / Evolutionary biology Books

Book SynopsisResearch from ecological, social ontogenetic, physiological, and other perspectives is presented to explicate specific behaviors, as well as to provide a more profound understanding of how behavior work influences thought about evolutionary processes.Table of ContentsHow Genetics and Learning Make a Fish Individual (V. Csányi). Mechanisms Involved in the Development and Control of Stereotypies (G.J. Mason, M.A. Turner). Costs and Benefits of Androgenization in the Female Spotted Hyena (S.E. Glickman et al.). Darwin's Tangled Web (D. Smillie). Female Dominance in Primates and Other Mammals (P. Kappeler). Complexity, Coupling and Contingency in the Production of Bird Song (S. Nowicki, J. Podos). Animal Communication by Way of Coordinated Cognitive Systems (C. Johnson). The SpecificMate Recognition System and Variation in Motile Animals (H. Paterson). Models of Biological Change (G. Barker). Animal Social Learning (K.N. Laland et al.). Index.

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Book SynopsisIn this groundbreaking book, Adrian Bejan takes the recurring patterns in nature—trees, tributaries, air passages, neural networks, and lightning bolts—and reveals how a single principle of physics, the constructal law, accounts for the evolution of these and many other designs in our world. Everything—from biological life to inanimate systems—generates shape and structure and evolves in a sequence of ever-improving designs in order to facilitate flow. River basins, cardiovascular systems, and bolts of lightning are very efficient flow systems to move a current—of water, blood, or electricity. Likewise, the more complex architecture of animals evolve to cover greater distance per unit of useful energy, or increase their flow across the land. Such designs also appear in human organizations, like the hierarchical “flowcharts” or reporting structures in corporations and political bodies. All are governed by the same p

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Book Synopsis"A supremely enjoyable, intoxicating work." —NatureTrade Review"[The] best scientific-philosophical approach to understanding how consciousness evolved…A wonderful book that will shape and drive thinking for years to come." -- Shane O’Mara - Times Higher Education"Dennett is always good company…He writes with wit and elegance." -- Thomas Nagel - New York Review of Books"This is a book to read and relish and then read again." -- Michael S. Gazzaniga - Wall Street Journal"Readers will find their minds enriched with many powerful thinking tools." -- Economist"If you have not encountered [Dennett’s] work, you surely should…very few contemporary thinkers have supplied us with so many ‘thinking tools.’…Dennett’s book is astonishingly rich and will introduce you to most of the key ideas in the terrain he strides energetically across." -- Adam Zeman - Standpoint"A subtle and interesting argument." -- Stephen Rose - Guardian"Encyclopedic knowledge of both the history of and the latest thinking in philosophy, evolutionary biology, psychology, and computer science." -- Christopher Beha - Harper's"Brave and bracing." -- Oliver Moody - The Times

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Book SynopsisShort, sassy, and bold, Mean Genes uses a Darwinian lens to examine the issues that most deeply affect our lives: body image, money, addiction, violence, and the endless search for happiness, love, and fidelity. But Burnham and Phelan don''t simply describe the connections between our genes and our behavior; they also outline steps that we can take to tame our primal instincts and so improve the quality of our lives. Why do we want (and do) so many things that are bad for us? We vow to lose those extra five pounds, put more money in the bank, and mend neglected relationships, but our attempts often end in failure. Mean Genes reveals that struggles for self-improvement are, in fact, battles against our own genes -- genes that helped our cavewoman and caveman ancestors flourish but that are selfish and out of place in the modern world. Why do we like junk food more than fruit? Why is the road to romance so rocky? Why is happiness so elusive? What drives us into debt? An invTrade ReviewRobert Frank, Professor of Economics, Cornell University, and author of Luxury Fever "Hip, fun, and packed with attitude, Mean Genes is a laser-guided surgical strike in the self-control battles we fight every day. Burnham and Phelan not only unmask the devil inside us, they hand us the tools to disarm him." Washington Post Book World The Mean Genes message is optimistic...a self-help book for the merely average human being."

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Book SynopsisA Special Publication of the journal Archives of Natural History to coincide with the bicentenary of Darwin's birth.Table of ContentsDarwin in the archives: an introduction, D. M. Porter; Part I: Studies of Erasmus Darwin; 1. Erasmus Darwin, M.D., F.R.S.: a biographical and iconographical note, J. W. T. Moody; 2. Nature, poetry and medicine in late eighteenth century England: a unified perspective of Erasmus Darwin, M. McNeil; Part II: Geological journeys; 3. Jigsaw with pieces missing: Charles Darwin with John Price at Bodnant, the walking tour of 1826 and the expeditions of 1827, P. Lucas; 4. I coloured a map: Darwin's attempts at geological mapping in 1831, M. B. Roberts; 5. Charles Darwin's notes on his 1831 geological map of Shrewsbury, S. Herbert & M. B. Roberts; 6. Darwin's dog-leg: the last stage of Darwin's Welsh field trip of 1831, M. B. Roberts; 7. "A most glorious country": Charles Darwin and North Wales, especially his 1831 geological tour, P. Lucas; Part III: The Beagle specimens; 8. Charles Darwin's plant collections from the voyage of the Beagle, D. M. Porter; 9. Charles Darwin's Beagle collections in the Oxford University Museum, G. Chancellor, A. DiMauro, R. Ingle & G. King; 10. Supplementary notes on Darwin's insects, K. G. V. Smith; 11. More Darwin Beagle notes resurface, D. M. Porter; 12. FitzRoy's foxes and Darwin's finches, W. R. P. Bourne; Part IV: Darwin's data gathering: Questions about the breeding of animals; 13. Charles Darwin. Questions about the breeding of animals. [1840], G. De Beer; 14. Darwin's Questions about the breeding of animals. With a note on Queries about expression, R. B. Freeman & P. J. Gautrey; 15. Charles Darwin's Questions about the breeding of animals, [1839], R. B. Freeman & P. J. Gautrey; 16. Darwin again, J. Browne; 17. Charles Darwin and 'ancient seeds', D. M. Porter; Part V: Natural selection and after; 18. The reading of the Darwin and Wallace papers: an historical "non-event", J. W. T. Moody; 19. T. Lie. The reception of Darwinism in Norway: the early years 1861--1900; 20. Darwin's Archaeopteryx prophecy, G. Kritsky; 21. Offprints of Darwin's "Climbing plants", 1865, R. B. Freeman; 22. Note on the Fritz Muller--Charles Darwin correspondence, A.-K. Mayer; 23. Charles Darwin's Queries about expression, R. B. Freeman & P. J. Gautrey; 24. The early American printings of Darwin's Descent of man!, J. W. Valentine; 25. Darwin's American neighbour, K. G. V. Smith & R. E. Dimick; 26. Samuel Butler, Darwin and Darwinism, B. Coleman; 27. Charles Darwin at Glenridding House, Ullswater, Cumbria, H. P. Moon; 28. Darwin in Chinese, R. B. Freeman; 29. Darwin in Chinese: some additions, P. J. P. Whitehead; Part VI: Methodological issues in Darwin studies; 30. The Charles Darwin--Joseph Hooker correspondence: an analysis of manuscript resources and their use in biography, J. Browne; 31. Exploring Darwin's correspondence: some important but lesser known correspondents and projects, T. Veak; 32. Unveiling Darwin's roots, M. A. Di Gregorio.

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Book SynopsisPrinciples of Evolution covers all aspects of the subject. Following an introductory section that provides necessary background, it has chapters on the evidence for evolution that cover the fossil record, DNA-sequence homologies, and protein homologies (evo-devo). It also includes a full history of life from the first universal common ancestor, through the rise of the eukaryote and on to the major groups of phyla. This section is followed by one on the mechanism of evolution with chapters on variation, selection and speciation. The main part of the book ends with a chapter on human evolution and this is followed by appendices that expand on the making of fossils, the history of the subject and creationism.What marks this book as different from others on evolution is its systems-biology perspective. This new area focuses on the role of protein networks and on multi-level complexity, and is used in three contexts. First, most biological activity is driven by such netwoTable of ContentsSECTION 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO EVOLUTION1. Approaching Evolution2. A Potted History of Evolutionary Science3. Life Today: Species, Diversity, and ClassificationSECTION 2: THE EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION4. The Fossil Record5. Darwinian Descent With Modification: Evolutionary Taxonomy and Cladistics6. The Anatomical Evidence for Vertebrate Evolution: From Fish to Birds7. The Anatomical Evidence for Vertebrate Evolution: Mammals8. The Genomic Evidence for Evolution9. The First Three Billion Years of Life: From the First Universal Common Ancestor to the Last Eukaryote Common Ancestor and Beyond10. Evo-devo 1: Embryos11. Evo-devo 2: The Evidence From Functional HomologiesSECTION 3: THE MECHANISMS OF EVOLUTION12. Variation 1: Populations and Genes13. Variation 2: Clades and Networks14. Adaptation, Fitness, and Selection15. Speciation16. Human Evolution17. ConclusionsAPPENDICESAppendix 1. Systems BiologyAppendix 2. A History of Evolutionary ThoughtAppendix 3. Rocks, Dates, and FossilsAppendix 4. Evolution Versus Creationism

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Book SynopsisHeather deepens our understanding of human evolution by including genetic discoveries that were unavailable in 1871 when Darwin wrote The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex. She offers an updated version of the theory by viewing the courtship dance through a female lens.

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Book SynopsisStochastic Communities presents a theory of biodiversity by analyzing the distribution of abundances among species in the context of a community. The basis of this theory is a distribution called the J distribution. This distribution is a pure hyperbola and mathematically implied by the stochastic species hypothesis assigning equal probabilities of birth and death within the population of each species over varying periods of time. The J distribution in natural communities has strong empirical support resulting from a meta-study and strong theoretical support from a theorem that is mathematically implied by the stochastic species hypothesis.Trade Review"The science of ecology suffers from a disconnect between theory and direct observation. Mathematicians have thought that simple equations could explain ecology. Field ecologists have assumed the mathematicians are right. Thus, empirical ecological understanding and prediction have suffered. Dewdney is an exceptions; he does field work and he is a mathematician. In his wonderful book, he takes advantage of both parts of ecology. And if Dewdney has done his math right, this book opens a whole new door to understanding biodiversity and its myriad causes."- Daniel Botkin, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and President of the Center for the Study of the Environment"… development of a theory and guide to sampling, … it will be of great interest to both empirical and theoretical ecologists." - Trends in Ecology and EvolutionTable of ContentsThe J-curve and the J distribution. The J-distribution and its variations. Sampling in practice and in theory. Compiling and analysing field data. Predictions from data. Extending the sample. Stochastic systems and the stochastic community. The metastudy: A review. Fossil J-curves. Summary of theory and open problems. Appendix A: Mathematical Notes and Computer Tools. Appendix B: Results of the metastudy for the J distribution. Appendix C: Results of the test for the J distribution in taxonomic data.

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Book SynopsisAnimal behaviour expert, Dr Jonathan Balcombe, combines rigorous evidence, elegant argument and amusing anecdotes to show that that animals, like humans, enjoy themselves. It debunks the popular perception that life for most is a continuous struggle for survival and suggests that creatures feel good thanks to play, sex, food, comfort and more.Trade ReviewPleasurable Kingdom is a touching look at the complex and at times playful lives of the animals with which we share this planet. Fascinating and often moving, this book emphasizes that animals, like us, truly have personalities, minds and emotions. - Jane Goodall 'In Pleasurable Kingdom, Balcombe draws together an extraordinary amount of information to help us to appreciate that we are not the only species that can, if all goes well, live joyful lives.' - Peter Singer, Professor of Bioethics, Princeton University, USA 'I predicted, in When Elephants Weep, that in ten years better scientists would write better books about the depth of feelings in animals. Well, that time has come, and here is that book.' - Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, Author of When Elephants Weep 'For centuries humanity has justified our extermination of fishes with the myth that they do not have feelings or intelligence. Jonathan Balcombe exposes this myth and presents fishes, with other animals, as sensitive, social, feeling, marvellous sentient beings.' - Captain Paul Watson, Founder of Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society 'Pleasurable Kingdom is a love affair with our fellow beings. Balcombe tempts us to consider, more open-mindedly than ever before, the experiences of animals in more ways than traditional science has yet acknowledged, perhaps even imagined.' - Professor Jaak Panksepp, author of Affective Neuroscience 'Dr. Balcombe convincingly argues that animals are individual beings with a wide range of emotions and feeling. If he is correct - and I believe he is - it follows that we must grapple with the ethical consequences of his important insights.' - Wayne Pacelle, President& CEO, The Humane Society of the United States 'This impressive book inspires respect and appreciation for all creatures great and small. It should be a standard text for students of biology and behaviour. All who care for animals will be informed and inspired.' - Dr Michael W. Fox, Veterinarian, columnist, author 'Brisk, erudite and enormously entertaining - an excellent, approachable introduction to the basic issues in animal behaviour.' - Publishers Weekly Reviews for the Hardback Version: 'Entertaining examples of animal bliss - from drunken parrots to the caresses of fiddler crabs - bring a pleasure all their own.' - Psychology Today 'This is a lively, shrewd, well-argued book on the simple theme that animals are able to feel pleasure.' Times Higher Educational Supplement 'This genial scientist's accounts of enjoyment in the other-than-human world will irritate strict behaviorists and profoundly delight animal lovers.' - Orion Magazine 'This entertaining and thought-provoking book is recommended for popular science collections.' - Library Journal 'A warm and enjoyable book - anyone with an interest in animal welfare (or just in animals) ought to read it.' - www.popularscience.co.uk 'This book is one in which all campaigners for good animal welfare should invest.' - The Ark 'This well-reasoned, engaging book argues that critters share our capacities for humor, empathy and aesthetic pleasure.' - People Magazine 'Reviews a vast body of scientific literature - full of examples both anecdotal and from refereed journals, and a copious bibliography.' - Booklist 'A joy to read - a carefully balanced book - which also includes some humorous, enlightening and intriguing animal tales.' - www.scienceagogo.com 'Superb - has set an agenda for future research. This book will change how we interact with other animal beings.' - Marc Bekoff in Trends in Evolution and Ecology 'His arguments may change your opinion of the next lobster that arrives steaming on your plate.' - Wired News 'Marvelous - as the first book in this field, scholarly or popular, we also have one that sets a high bar.' - Journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science 'Highly readable...I hope Pleasurable Kingdom encourages study of animal pleasure, because it worked for me.' - Nicola Robinson, www.smh.comTable of ContentsPART I: WHY ANIMAL PLEASURE Survival of the Happiest: The Adaptive Basis for Pleasure Forbidden Pleasures: Our Reluctance to Acknowledge Animal Pleasure Feeling Smart: The Intelligence of Pleasure PART II: WHAT ANIMAL PLEASURE Play: Fun for Its Own Sake Food: The Pleasures of Sustenance Sex: Procreation and Recreation Touch: Making Contact with Pleasure Love: The Ripening Warmth of Intimacy Other Pleasures: Esthetics, Humor and Beyond Fish and Thrips: At the Margins of Pleasure PART III: FROM ANIMAL PLEASURE Feeling Good, Doing Good: Implications of a Pleasurable Kingdom NOTES, REFERENCES, FURTHER READING

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Book SynopsisScientists, and their research, are often shaped by the prevailing social and political context at the time. Kuljian explores this trend in South Africa and provides fresh insight on the search for human origins - in the fields of palaeoanthropology and genetics - over the past century.Trade Review"With its unsparing wealth of personal and historical detail, there's nothing else like Darwin's Hunch available." Ian Tattersall, Curator Emeritus, American Museum of Natural History; "Powerful and revealing. Darwin's Hunch is a fantastic read." Xolela Mangcu, Professor of Sociology, University of Cape Town, and author of Biko: A Biography; "Kuljian's writing is astute and insightful, bringing out new dimensions and details throughout." - Saul Dubow, Queen Mary University of London, author of Scientific Racism in Modern South Africa.Table of ContentsPrologue: The response to Homo Naledi; Part One: Searching for Difference: 1. “The Most Interesting Specimens Were the Natives”; 2. The response to the Taung Child Skull: Born in Africa? “Preposterous”; 3. Race Typology and ‘Specimens of Natural History’;

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Book SynopsisFunctional and Phylogenetic Ecology in R is designed to teach readers to use R for phylogenetic and functional trait analyses. Researchers getting started in R can use this volume as a step-by-step entryway into phylogenetic and functional analyses for ecology in R.Trade ReviewFrom the book reviews:“This book is structured in nine interlinked chapters … . Each chapter is built in a lecture-style incremental manner and does not assume an extensive previous knowledge of R. All chapters conclude with a series of exercises that consolidate the presented notions. This approach makes the book suitable for undergraduates and postgraduates, as well as researchers with an interest in the field. Its structure and detailed examples supported with exercises make it a timely addition for the scientific community.” (Irina Ioana Mohorianu, zbMATH, Vol. 1300, 2015)“This book is based on a course taught by the author and has therefore gone through rigorous user testing, which shows in the clear layout and detailed step-by-step guidance through sophisticated statistical analyses. … Anyone embarking on related research will benefit from this.” (Markus Eichhorn, Frontiers of Biogeography, Vol. 6 (2), 2014)Table of Contents​​​Preface.- Introduction.- Phylogenetic Data in R.- Phylogenetic Diversity.- Functional Diversity.- Phylogenetic & Functional Beta Diversity.- Null Models.- Comparative Methods & Phylogenetic Signal.- Partitioning the Phylogenetic, Functional, Environmental and Spatial Components of Community Diversity.- Integrating R with Other Phylogenetic and Functional Trait Analytical Software.- References.- Index

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Book SynopsisOne of the attractive features of the great classical ethologists was their readiness to ask different kinds of questions about behavior - and to do so without muddling the answers.Table of Contents1 The Nature and Description of Behavior Patterns.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. Describing Behavior: Two Methods or One?.- IV. The Domains of Regularity.- A. Location in Space.- B. Orientation to the Environment.- C. Topography of the Animal.- D. Intrinsic Properties of the Animal.- E. Changes Effected in the Physical Environment.- F. A Note on Context.- V. Natural Units of Behavior.- A. The Existence of Natural Units.- B. The Role of the Describer.- C. The Level and Scope of the Unit.- VI. The Description of Behavior Patterns.- A. The Selection of Domains.- B. The Selection of Regularities and Specific Features.- C. The Objectivity of Pure Description.- VII. Conclusions.- VIII. Summary.- IX. Acknowledgments.- X. References.- 2 Individual Differences in Animal Behavior.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. Differences in Feeding Behavior.- IV. Strategies of Behavior.- V. Communication of Identity.- VI. Model Action Patterns.- VII. Adaptiveness or Noise?.- VIII. Conclusion.- IX. Acknowledgments.- X. References.- 3 Toward a Falsifiable Theory of Evolution.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. The Tautology of Evolutionary Biology.- IV. The Tautology in Behaviorism.- V. A Resolution of the Tautology.- VI. Some Concluding Remarks.- VII. Acknowledgments.- VIII. References.- 4 Evolutionary, Proximate, and Functional Primate Social Ecology.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. Evolutionary Social Ecology.- IV. Proximate Social Ecology.- V. Functional Social Ecology.- VI. Interdigitation of Evolutionary, Proximate, and Functional Social Ecology.- VII. Acknowledgments.- VIII. References.- 5 Social Structure and Individual Ontogenies: Problems of Description, Mechanism, and Evolution.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. Ontogenetic Trajectories.- IV. Homeostasis or Steady State?.- V. Evolution of Maturational Controls.- VI. Conclusion.- VII. Acknowledgments.- VIII. Appendix.- IX. References.- 6 On a Possible Relation Between Cultural Transmission and Genetical Evolution.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. Components of Intelligence.- IV. Habit and Instinct.- V. Assimilative Selection.- VI. Evolution of Intelligence.- VII. Acknowledgments.- VIII. References.- 7 The Behavior of Organisms, as it is Linked to Genes and Populations.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. Integrative Levels in Biology.- IV. Behavior: The Interaction of the Organism with Its Environment.- V. Integrative Levels in the Evolutionary Process.- VI. Acknowledgments.- VII. References.- 8 From Causations to Translations: What Biochemists can Contribute to the Study of Behavior.- I. Abstract.- II. On Levels of Analysis.- III. The Objects of Behavioral Study.- IV. The Inadequacy of Systems Approaches.- V. The Hazards of Reification.- VI. The Reductionist Fallacy.- VII. Springing the Trap?.- VIII. From Causes to Translations.- IX. Theory into Practice.- X. Acknowledgments.- XI. References.- 9 Behavior and the Physical World of an Animal.- I. Abstract.- II. The Parameters of Concern.- III. The Physical World Comes First.- IV. Size and the Physical World.- V. Behavior and the Flow of Fluids.- VI. Remarks in Conclusion.- VII. References.- 10 Escalated Fighting and the War of Nerves: Games Theory and Animal Combat.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. Escalation in Contests.- IV. Games Theory and Animal Contests.- A. Some Basic Ideas.- B. A Simple Model: The War of Attrition.- C. Models with Escalation.- D. Hawks and Doves.- E. “Explanation” by Models.- F. A Benefit of Destructive Combat?.- G. The War of Nerves.- H. Is Risk Important?.- I. Contests with Small Injuries.- J. Contests as Random Walks.- V. Discussion.- VI. Acknowledgments.- VII. References.- 11 Science and the Law: A Muddled Interface.

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Book SynopsisThis book is the first major study of what was probably the most important centre or pre-Darwinian evolutionary thought in the British Isles. It sheds new light on the genesis and development of one of the most important scientific theories in the history of western thought.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Edinburgh's university and medical schools in the early nineteenth century The legacy of the Scottish Enlightenment The University of Edinburgh at the beginning of the nineteenth century The University of Edinburgh's medical school Edinburgh's extra-mural anatomy schools Chapter 3: Natural History in Edinburgh, 1779-1832 Natural history in Edinburgh in the late eighteenth century Robert Jameson and the chair of natural history Comparative anatomy at the extra-mural medical schools Natural history, scientific and medical societies Natural history and science journals Chapter 4: Geology and evolution The Wernerian model of earth history Wernerians and Huttonians in Edinburgh The story of life as a tale of progressive development Wernerian geology and transformism Werner, Lamarck and Geoffroy in Edinburgh Chapter 5: Edinburgh and Paris Contemporary transformism in France: Jean-Baptiste Lamarck and Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire Lamarck in Scotland The impact of Geoffroy's theories in Edinburgh Chapter 6: The legacy of the 'Edinburgh Lamarckians' The eclipse of transformism in Edinburgh Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation Transmutation without progress: Robert Knox and Hewett Cottrell Watson The legacy of Darwin's Edinburgh years Chapter 7: Conclusion Bibliography; Unpublished primary sources; Published primary sources; Secondary sources

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Book SynopsisSome animals build astounding homes to provide shelter and safety for themselves and their young. From ants glueing leaves together to create a nest, to groundhogs engineering enormous underground towns, the creatures featured in this book create homes that are both unique and out-of-this-world. Find out more about these masters of engineering and learn how evolution has shaped the way each animal constructs their home and uses it.Vivid, arresting photography paired with captivating animal encounters make this book a thrilling introduction to some of the basics of evolutionary theory.Table of Contents 1: Budgett's Frog 2: Clownfish 3: Beaver 4: Oropendola 5: Gorilla 6: Bowerbird 7: Parrotfish 8: Prairie dog 9: Compass termite 10: Paper wasp 11: Arctic fox 12: Badger sett 13: Pika 14: Caddis fly 15: Golden orb weaver 16: Trapdoor spider

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Book SynopsisTo cope with the abiotic stress-induced osmotic problems, plants adapt by either increasing uptake of inorganic ions from the external solution, or by de novo synthesis of organic compatible solutes acting as osmolytes. Of the osmoregulants and protectants discussed in this volume, trehalose, fructans, ectoine and citrulline, which are generated in different species, in osmotically ineffective amounts, mitigate the stress effects on cells/plants and improve productivity. There are several pieces of encouraging research discussed in this volume showing significant improvement in stress tolerance and in turn productivity by involving genetic engineering techniques.Table of ContentsMAINLY THEORY: The Beginning; Evolution as an On-going Process; Populations at Equilibrium: The Hardy-Weinberg Law; Deviation from Equilibrium: Genetic Drift?Random Changes in Small Populations; Deviations from Equilibrium: Mutations; Deviations from Equilibrium: Migration; Deviations from Equilibrium: Non-random Mating; Deviation from Equilibrium: Selection; SELECTION IN NATURE: The Theory of Natural Selection: A Historical Outline; Genetic Variation in Natural Populations; Genetic Variation in Natural Populations (continued); Evolutionary Processes in Natural Populations; Natural Selection and Adaptation; Natural Selection and Polymorphism; Classification of Selection Processes; Evolution in Asexually-reproducing Populations; Laboratory Populations as Models for Natural Selection; The Neutralist-Selectionist Controversy: ?Non-Darwinian? Evolution?; The Neutrality Hypothesis: Molecular Support?and Evidence to the Contrary; Molecular Evolution; MACRO-EVOLUTION: The Concepts of ?Species in Evolution;

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Book SynopsisThis is the fascinating theory from author and futurist Byron Reese, who calls this human superorganism “Agora.” In We Are Agora, Reese starts by asking the question, “What is life and how did it form?” From there, he looks at how multicellular life came about, how consciousness emerged, and looks at other superorganisms in nature to figure out how they form. Then, Reese poses eight big questions based on the Agora theory, including: If ants have colonies, bees have hives, and we have our bodies, how does Agora manifest itself? Does it have a body? Can Agora explain things that happen that are both under our control and near universally undesirable, such as war? How can Agora theory explain long-term progress we’ve made in the world? In this unique and ambitious work that spans all of human history and looks boldly into its future, Reese melds science and history to look at the human species from a fresh new perspective. Told with his characteristic wit and compulsive readability, We Are Agora will give readers a better understanding of where we’ve been, where we’re going, and how our fates are intertwined.

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Book SynopsisDown from the Trees: Man’s Amazing Transition from Tree-Dwelling Ape Ancestors covers the evolution of man from tree-dwelling ape to Homo sapiens as he is today. Using easy-to-read language, the author takes complex, jargon-filled material and extracts the essence of the topic and coveys it in a clear and engaging manner. He approaches the subject of human evolution from three different disciplines: fossil evidence and its interpretation, evolutionary theory and its applicability, and genetic evidence and its ability to unlock prehistoric information. The third discipline has advanced unbelievably in the last few years, and this book includes the most up-to-date research.There is nothing more interesting to humans than the story of their origins. The evolutionary process of a tree-dwelling ape becoming a walking, talking man who has developed the technology to walk on the moon, transplant hearts, or modify living things is no trivial story. This book provides a fascinating and comprehensive view of what science has learned of human evolution. Table of ContentsPart 1: Fossils Tell a Story 1. Stratigraphy 2. Time Divisions 3. The K/T Extinctions and the Mammalian Species Radiation 4. Primates and Apes Part 2: Bipedal Species 5. Fossils and Human Evolution 6. The Paleo-Anthropologists 7. Overview of Our Distant Ancestors 8. Ardi 9. Lucy and Australopithecus afarensis 10. Australopithecus sediba 11. Homo naledi 12. Homo erectus 13. Neanderthal Man 14. Homo sapiens Part 3: How Evolution Works 15. Charles Darwin 16. The Modern Synthesis 17. Richard Dawkins, the Darwin of Our Times 18. How New Species Form 19. Red Queen Effect 20. Evolution of Bipedal Apes and Humans Part 4: DNA: A Powerful New Tool 21. Introduction to DNA Technology 22. The Race to Discover DNA’s Structure 23. Discovering the Secret to Life 24. Mutations and Junk DNA Part 5: DNA Applied to Paleoanthropology 25. DNA Science Applied to Human Origins 26. Tracing Our Ape Heritage 27. The Age and Origin of Our Species 28. Out of Africa 29. Neanderthal-Human Interbreeding 30. Denisovan-Human Interbreeding Part 6: Uniquely Human Evolution 31. Bipedal Walking 32. Hairlessness 33. Big Brain Development 34. Speech and Language 35. Fire, Cooking and Tools 36. Sex Part 7: Homo Sapiens Dominate 37. Great Leap Forward 38. Agriculture and Civilization 39. The Journey from Ape to Man 40. What the Future Holds

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Book SynopsisDrawing on a diversity of fast-developing disciplines including genetics, physiology, pathology as well as the history of canoeing and studies of the fluctuation of sea levels, revolutionary thinker and birth pioneer Michel Odent examines the case for viewing the genus Homo as a ‘marine chimpanzee’ – particularly adapted to coastal areas. By exploring the practical implications of this vision of our species, including in the period surrounding birth, the author raises questions about the very survival of humanity. At a time in history when human domination of Nature is more profound than ever before, are we on the cusp of a ‘symbiotic revolution’? With his characteristic ability to look at the ‘big picture’ and ask questions that challenge conventional thinking, Michel Odent once again manages to persuade readers to view themselves, and their species, in a new light.

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Book SynopsisInitially received with muted applause, Darwin's The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection was soon recognized as the breakthrough scientific advance that explained the evidence of the world around us, the place and history of humans, the connections between environment and evolution. Still regarded by some as radical, Darwin's contribution to world knowledge is immeasurable. This new, popular edition has been edited and abridged for the modern reader, to introduce Darwin's research in a digestible form. The FLAME TREE Foundations series features core publications which together have shaped the cultural landscape of the modern world, with cutting-edge research distilled into pocket guides designed to be both accessible and informative.

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Book SynopsisToday the theory of evolution by natural selection and the science of genetics are the twin keys to our understanding of how life on earth came about. Yet when an English naturalist called Charles Darwin first published his ideas in 1859 in a book called On the Origin of Species the world was horrified at the notion of a changing creation without the intervention a Creator. By contrast, when a few years later an obscure Moravian monk, Gregor Mendel, published the results of his experiments in genetics the world failed to notice John Scotney’s new book explains just what these two great men had discovered and follows the amazing development of this seminal idea from the decade when it turned the world on its head to the present time and the unravelling of the human genome. It describes how the first dinosaur fossils were believed to be the bones of giants and how little by little the ongoing story of living creatures has been assembled until we can see the thread of life running from single-cell microorganisms to primates like ourselves, and why most ancient creatures died out and some survive to this day. Indeed we still carry vestiges of former life forms in our bodies and it is said that ancient seas flow in our blood. Anatomy, taxonomy, chemistry, geology, archaeology, and embryology have all had a part in this remarkable detective story, and even the Cold War became involved when the followers of Mendel in the West were confronted by those of Lamarck in China and Russia. Modern evolutionary theory is shown to be a synthesis of many scientific fields and the product both of years of tireless work and of sudden imaginative leaps. The Theory of Evolution conveys the excitement of this fundamental discovery and gives an insight into the way scientific enquiry and debate continue to shape our world. SIMPLE GUIDES: SCIENCE Simple Guides: Science are user-friendly introductions to the great scientific discoveries of the world. Written by experts in the field, they offer the general reader simple and engaging descriptions of key developments and breakthroughs in different fields of science and technology. • Simple Guides: Science are written in a clear, informal style, using plain, non-technical language to provide accessible introductions to complex scientific theories. • Organized both by theme and chronologically, the books link the major breakthroughs to the lives of their discoverers and inventors. • The clear structure and design enable the general reader to grasp essentials easily. • These guides will appeal to readers with no specific scientific knowledge, yet with a thirst to know more about the world we live in. • The scientific developments and theories are brought to life by descriptions of their social contexts; not only the breakthroughs are described, but also their impact on society and the human story behind the scientists.

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Book SynopsisIn the ongoing debate about evolution, science and faith face off. But the truth is both sides are right and wrong. In one corner: Atheists like Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Jerry Coyne. They insist evolution happens by blind random accident. Their devout adherence to Neo-Darwinism omits the latest science, glossing over crucial questions and fascinating details. In the other corner: Intelligent Design advocates like William Dembski, Stephen Meyer, and Michael Behe. Many defy scientific consensus, maintaining that evolution is a fraud and rejecting common ancestry outright. There is a third way. Evolution 2.0 proves that, while evolution is not a hoax, neither is it random nor accidental. Changes are targeted, adaptive, and aware. You'll discover: How organisms re-engineer their genetic destiny in real time Amazing systems living things use to re-design themselves Every cell is armed with machinery for editing its own DNA The five amazing tools organisms use to alter their genetics 70 years of scientific discoveries--of which the public has heard virtually nothing! Perry Marshall approached evolution with skepticism for religious reasons. As an engineer, he rejected the concept of organisms randomly evolving. But an epiphany--that DNA is code, much like data in our digital age--sparked a 10-year journey of in-depth research into more than 70 years of under-reported evolutionary science. This led to a new understanding of evolution--an evolution 2.0 that not only furthers technology and medicine, but fuels our sense of wonder at life itself. This book will open your eyes and transform your thinking about evolution and God. You'll gain a deeper appreciation for our place in the universe. You'll see the world around you as you've never seen it before. Evolution 2.0 pinpoints the central mystery of biology, offering a multimillion dollar technology prize at naturalcode.org to the first person who can solve it.Trade Review"Marshall writes in a practical style so that all of his readers can come to understand evolution and can make a thoughtful conclusion on a controversial topic. Recommended for ... students of biology, history of science, and religious studies, as well as researchers and scholars." --Library Journal "Standing on the knife-edge between traditional evolutionary theory and Intelligent Design, this book will inflame both dogmatic Darwinists and Creationists. It's irritating to both because it's friendly to the idea of evolution itself, and because it judges Darwinism too close-minded and reductive... While most scientists submit to self-censorship and dare not question cherished assumptions, the boldest scientists like Albert Einstein, Francis Crick and Stephen Hawking never feared such taboos. Whether agnostics, atheists or believers, they never shrank back from big questions or unconventional solutions. Evolution and design are not either-or, but both-and." --Jean-Claude Perez, author, Codex Biogenesis and retired IBM Biomathematics and Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Researcher "Marshall is making an invaluable contribution toward more open and honest discussion on the subject of evolution versus creation. The book is well written, often witty, and is extremely thought provoking... It is amazing that this 'non-biologist' has analyzed life phenomena at the cellular and molecular levels to such depth and width by applying information gained by cutting-edge methods in the life sciences!" --Dr. Kwang Jeon, Editor, International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology, and Professor Emeritus, Department of Biochemistry, University of Tennessee "Any person of faith who cares about how creation reveals God--and how evolution is actually a devastating arsenal of evidence against atheism--should add Evolution 2.0 to the extreme tippy-top of their reading list. Evolution 2.0 is equally shocking to both atheists and Christians, a genuine eye-opener in a category of its own." --D. Bnonn Tenant, ThinkingMatters.org.nz "A very readable book and a devastating attack on the neo-Darwinist orthodoxy that evolution is nothing but natural selection acting on random variation." --Peter Saunders, co-director, Institute of Science in Society, and Emeritus professor of Applied Mathematics, King's College, London "With considerable wit and amazing insight, Marshall delivers a compelling and forceful synthesis that sets a new standard for discussions about the relationship between science and faith. The result is no less than astonishing." --Mark McMenamin, Professor of Geology, Mount Holyoke College "The book is wonderfully thought-provoking, as Perry brings a fresh perspective to the increasingly arid (and acrimonious) debate between Intelligent Design and methodological naturalism." --Crofton Brierley, MS Biochemistry, Oxford University, former department head, Marconi Optical "A remarkable and useful resume of the state-of-the-art of this great problem of science." --Stuart Pivar, author, Lifecode and On The Origin of Form, and cofounder, New York Academy of Art "I am committed to Young Earth Creationism, and thus cannot agree with some of Perry's conclusions. However, I highly recommend this book to any skeptic who is committed to a purely materialistic paradigm. The science presented here - from the latest research to the most engaging minds on this subject--make this the one book you should read." --Ray Glinski, MS in Biochemistry, Pastor at Grace Church of DuPage "Evolution 2.0 is a modern philosophical marvel unlike anything I have read in my years of study. It allowed me to put down my guard. The author was not compelling me to believe in an ideology, but rather taking me alongside his journey of self-discovery. I came into this book hesitant. As a staunch creationist I found myself trying to fight with Marshall early on, but his arguments and presentation were flawless and compelling. It was refreshing to see someone examine both sides honestly." --Marie Sarantakis, Comparative Religion Scholar, Carthage College "Armed with computer science and electrical engineering, Perry fights an uphill battle to unite the space between those who believe evolution is random and those who believe species are designed by God, who in some cases deny evolution itself... Judge this book by the science within its pages--and enjoy the story." --Andras Pellionisz, Biophysicist, Founder of Fractogene; PhD, Computer Technology, PhD, Biology, PhD, Physics "Sometimes the only way a puzzle gets solved is when someone looks at it with fresh eyes. Perry Marshall is an engineer who started to investigate biology. His book could signal a paradigm shift in the battle between Darwinian evolution and creation/ID. Maybe the war is over. Respond, criticize and debate it ... just don't dismiss it." --Justin Brierley, host, Unbelievable? radio program and podcast "Evolution 2.0 is clearly the best book I have read on the topic. It helped me far better understand the fallacy of random mutations and how they are really introduced. This is something I was never taught in genetics in undergrad or medical school." --Joseph Mercola, M.D., New York Times bestselling author of The No-Grain Diet and Effortless Healing

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Book SynopsisLife is beautiful, ruthless, and very, very strange.In the evolutionary arms race that has raged on since life began, organisms have developed an endless variety of survival strategies. From sharp claws to brute strength, camouflage to venom—all these tools and abilities share one purpose: to keep their bearer alive long enough to reproduce, helping the species avoid extinction. Every living thing on this planet has developed a time-tested arsenal of weapons and defenses. Some of these weapons and defenses, however, are decidedly more unusual than others.In Strange Survivors, biologist Oné R. Pagán takes us on a tour of the improbable, the ingenious, and the just plain bizarre ways that creatures fight for life.Inside this funny, fascinating field guide to nature’s most colorful characters, you’ll meet killer snails, social bacteria, and an animal with toxic elbows. But Strange Survivors is more than a collection of curiosities—it is a love letter to science and an argument for the continuing relevance of this evolutionary battle as we face the threat of resistant bacteria and the need for novel medical therapies. Whether discussing blood-thinning bats and electric fish or pondering the power of cooperation, Pagán reveals the surprising lessons found in some of life’s natural oddities and how the tactics they employ to live might aid our own survival.Trade Review"This volume contains an engaging series of essays about Darwinian natural selection. This text would make for excellent supplemental reading in a lower level undergraduate course; it it is also ideally suited for the general reader. Summing Up: Highly recommended." —CHOICE magazine “Strange Survivors presents some of the most remarkable examples of animals’ survival mechanisms in an accessible, scientifically accurate, and humorous way. Reading this book was like sitting down to enjoy a chat on the wonders of the natural world with a close friend." —Marie McNeely, PhD, cofounder of People Behind the Science and Unfold Productions “Strange Survivors is technically accurate and isn't shy with scientific terms, but never in a manner that's intimidating or overbearing. This isn't fiction—you have to think as you read, but the reward is an increased understanding of the astonishing variety of life on Earth and the strategies species use to survive.” —Peter Cawdron, author of AnomalyTable of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: The E Word Chapter 2: The Language of Life Chapter 3: It All Starts with a Spark Chapter 4: Unusual Suspects Chapter 5: The Fast and the Hangry Chapter 6: The Very Best Survival Tactic of Them All Acknowledgments Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThis book takes a non-technical approach in covering the evolution of South American mammalian fauna throughout geological history, and discusses how South America has changed due to mammalian invasions. Unlike other works on the subject, this book attempts to answer several crucial questions that often go unmentioned together in one cohesive monograph. What was the fauna like before the American interchange? What were the origins of the now-extinct groups when northern species arrived and out-competed them? How did the modern mammalian fauna come into being with such disparate animal groups? This information is given from a historical perspective throughout the book's 15 chapters, and is presented in an easily graspable fashion by mostly avoiding technical language. The book is written for academics, scientists and scholars engaged in paleontology, zoology and evolutionary biology, but may also appeal to a larger audience of general readers interested in mammalian evolution. The book begins with an introduction, describing the tools necessary to interpret the evolutionary history of South American mammals in geological terms and some of the early people who helped found South American mammalian paleontology. Chapter 2 describes the Mesozoic first mammals of Gondwana and what we are learning about them, dominant before the K/T extinction event. Then chapters 3 through 8 cover the Cenozoic, or "Age of Mammals", highlighting the major mammalian groups of South America that replaced the earlier mammals of Gondwana. These groups include the marsupials, native ungulates, the xenarthrans (armadillos, anteaters, sloths), the caviomorphs (rodents), and the platyrrhine monkeys. Chapters 9 and 10 address the Antarctic La Meseta fossils and the Colombian La Venta fossil faunal assemblages. Chapter 11 discusses the neotropical mammals that invaded the Caribbean Islands, and illustrates the influence South America has had on adjacent faunas. Chapter 12 describes the origin of the Amazon River and the role it has played in the evolution of the mammals and other flora and fauna. Chapter 13 tells the story of the Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI), and chapter 14 follows this up with a discussion of the Pleistocene mammal communities and their eventual extinction. Chapter 15 concludes the text by discussing the modern mammals of South America, and how despite the extensive Pleistocene extinctions there is still a lot of mammalian diversity in South America. Table of ContentsChapter1: Introduction.- Chapter2: Ancient mammals of Gondwanan South America.- Chapter3: Early Cenozoic mammals in South America.- Chapter4: Marsupials and other metatheres of South America.- Chapter5: The native ungulates of South America.- Chapter6: The xenarthrans-armadillos, glyptodonts, anteaters, sloths.- Chapter7: The Caviomorphs – First South American Rodents.- Chapter8: The Platyrrhine Monkeys.- Chapter9: An Antarctic Eocene Mammalian Community.- Chapter10: La Venta: A Miocene Colombian Mammalian Community.- Chapter11: The Genesis of the Modern Amazon River Basin and its Role in Mammalian Evolution.- Chapter12: Mammalian Invasion of the Caribbean Islands.- Chapter13: The Great American Biotic Interchange.- Chapter14: Pleistocene Mammal Communities and their Extinction.- Chapter15: The Modern Mammals of South America

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Book SynopsisOur breath catches and we jump in fear at the sight of a snake. We pause and marvel at the sublime beauty of a sunrise. These reactions are no accident; in fact, many of our human responses to nature are steeped in our deep evolutionary past. The author explores the role of evolution in human responses to the environment.Trade Review"The human eye for beauty is not an inexplicable preference for arbitrary shapes and colors but may be explained as an instinct for choosing surroundings that are safe, healthful, and informative. The eminent zoologist Gordon Orians, who originated this powerful idea, now treats us to a cornucopia of hypotheses on why certain things please the eye, ear, and tongue and others terrify, repel, or disgust them. This is a lovely contribution to our understanding of aesthetics and should keep scientists, artists, and humanities scholars debating its ideas for years to come." (Steven Pinker)"

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Book SynopsisWe've been told again and again that life is unfair. But what if we're wrong simply to resign ourselves to this situation? What if we have the power - and more, the duty - to change society for the better? Drawing on evidence from our evolutionary history and the science of human nature, the author shows that we have an innate sense of fairness.Trade Review"Peter Corning paints a compelling picture of the excessive inequalities of income, wealth, and power in American society, and the damage they cause. More importantly, he makes a strong case for fairness - arguing that equality, equity, and reciprocity are central to humanity's social needs and collective flourishing." (Kate Pickett, coauthor of The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger) "An edifying book.... I admire Peter Corning's attempt to develop a normative theory of justice that is 'built on an empirical foundation.'... One hopes that those who wish to occupy places of power on behalf of the 99 percent will heed Corning's sage advice about what to do and - just as important - what not to do in planning for a better, more just society." (American Scientist)"

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Book SynopsisExplores animal body size from a macroecological perspective, examining species, populations, and other large groups of animals in order to uncover the patterns and causal mechanisms of body size throughout time and across the globe.Trade Review"This diverse collection provides a fascinating glimpse into a fundamental property of animal communities: the distribution of body sizes. With a stimulating integration of ecology and paleobiology that addresses the interplay of structure, function, the environment, and evolutionary history, this compilation is sure to appeal to a broad readership. By bringing to the forefront a suite of unanswered questions, the contributors' efforts will motivate exciting new research into how communities are structured across space and through time." (Rebecca Terry, Oregon State University)"

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Book SynopsisExplores why adaptive evolution never ceases and why natural selection acts on species in so many different ways. In this title, each chapter focuses on one of the major problems in adaptive evolution: How fast is evolution? How strong is natural selection? How do species co-opt the genomes of other species as they adapt?Trade Review"Relentless Evolution is a classic John N. Thompson book - erudite, highly readable, hugely broad in the examples it weaves together, and full of interesting perspectives. The book provides tremendous insights into the complexity of communities and ecosystems and the need to see them as ever-changing entities for which there is no starting point or finishing line. It will be a very valuable addition to the literature." (Jeremy Burdon, chief, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Plant Industry Division)"

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Book SynopsisExplores why adaptive evolution never ceases and why natural selection acts on species in so many different ways. In this title, each chapter focuses on one of the major problems in adaptive evolution: How fast is evolution? How strong is natural selection? How do species co-opt the genomes of other species as they adapt?Trade Review"Relentless Evolution is a classic John N. Thompson book - erudite, highly readable, hugely broad in the examples it weaves together, and full of interesting perspectives. The book provides tremendous insights into the complexity of communities and ecosystems and the need to see them as ever-changing entities for which there is no starting point or finishing line. It will be a very valuable addition to the literature." (Jeremy Burdon, chief, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Plant Industry Division)"

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Book SynopsisShows the importance of timing: the Scopes trial occurred at a crucial moment in the history of biology textbook. This title explores the development of biology textbooks leading up to the trial and the ways in which the textbook industry created new books and presented them as responses to the trial.Trade Review"Adam R. Shapiro has situated the Scopes trial within a much broader context than any scholar before him. Trying Biology also demonstrates how ideologues have used differing interpretations of the Scopes trial to advance their agendas. By situating the trial within this much broader framework, the author has significantly enlarged our understanding of the conversations between religion and science in twentieth-century America." (Randall Balmer, author of The Making of Evangelicalism)"

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Book SynopsisWe think of medical science and doctors as focused on treating conditions-whether it's a cough or an aching back. But the sicknesses and complaints that cause us to seek medical attention actually have deeper origins than the superficial germs and behaviors we regularly fault. In fact, as Jeremy Taylor shows in Body by Darwin, we can trace the roots of many medical conditions through our evolutionary history, revealing what has made us susceptible to certain illnesses and ailments over time and how we can use that knowledge to help us treat or prevent problems in the future. In Body by Darwin, Taylor examines the evolutionary origins of some of our most common and serious health issues. To begin, he looks at the hygiene hypothesis, which argues that our obsession with anti-bacterial cleanliness, particularly at a young age, may be making us more vulnerable to autoimmune and allergic diseases. He also discusses diseases of the eye, the medical consequences of bipedalism as they relate to all those aches and pains in our backs and knees, the rise of Alzheimer's disease, and how cancers become so malignant that they kill us despite the toxic chemotherapy we throw at them. Taylor explains why it helps to think about heart disease in relation to the demands of an ever-growing, dense, muscular pump that requires increasing amounts of nutrients, and he discusses how walking upright and giving birth to ever larger babies led to a problematic compromise in the design of the female spine and pelvis. Throughout, he not only explores the impact of evolution on human form and function, but he integrates science with stories from actual patients and doctors, closely examining the implications for our health. As Taylor shows, evolutionary medicine allows us think about the human body and its adaptations in a completely new and productive way. By exploring how our body's performance is shaped by its past, Body by Darwin draws powerful connections between our ancient human history and the future of potential medical advances that can harness this knowledge.

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Book SynopsisExamines the theory and methods of quantitative genetics and presents case studies that illustrate the many ways in which the methods can be applied. The author brings together current theoretical and empirical studies to show how quantitative genetics can illuminate diverse topics.

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Book SynopsisTracing the history of biological attempts to determine whether selection leads to the evolution of fitter groups, this title focuses on the British naturalist V C Wynne-Edwards, who proposed that animals could regulate their own populations and thus avoid overexploitation of their resources.Trade Review"A fascinating study.... Recommended." (Choice)"

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Book SynopsisThe authors argue that it is impossible to comprehend the nature of life on earth unless evolution- the history of organisms- is restored to a central position in research. this work is a powerful new tool for understanding the world's biodiversity.Trade Review"Brooks and McLennan give us a new and clean way of looking at life on earth, rich in examples and practical advice. The Nature of Diversity is both phylogenetics and the environment, inextricably interwoven, rich in anachronisms and serendipity. This book is a must read for anyone addressing and building biodiversity understanding, an understanding that all of our societies must acquire if we are not all to be condemned to the trash heap." - Daniel H. Janzen, University of Pennsylvania

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Book SynopsisDarwin's theory of evolution transformed the life sciences and made profound claims about human origins and the human condition, topics often viewed as the prerogative of religion. As a result, evolution has provoked a wide variety of religious responses, ranging from angry rejection to enthusiastic acceptance. While Christian responses to evolution have been studied extensively, little scholarly attention has been paid to Jewish reactions. Jewish Tradition and the Challenge of Darwinism is the first extended meditation on the Jewish engagement with this crucial and controversial theory. The contributors to Jewish Tradition and the Challenge of Darwinismfrom several academic disciplines and two branches of the rabbinatepresent case studies showing how Jewish discussions of evolution have been shaped by the intersections of faith, science, philosophy, and ideology in specific historical contexts. Furthermore, they examine how evolutionary theory has been deployed when characterizing Jew

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Book SynopsisPresents thirteen important scientific perspectives on the evolution and biology of this familiar group. This book includes discoveries of dinosaurs and primitive relatives of mammals; studies of mammalian chewing and locomotion; and examinations of the evolutionary process in plesiosaurs, mammals, and dinosaurs.

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Book SynopsisOriginally published anonymously in 1844, "Vestiges" was the first attempt to connect the natural sciences to a history of creation. This volume includes Chambers's earliest works on cosmology, an essay on Darwin and an autobiographical essay. It also features a new introduction by James Secord.

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Book SynopsisExplores some of the myriad perspectives, from the scientific understandings proffered by anthropology, evolution, and ecology, to the promise of environmental responsibility offered by technology and economics, to the designs of nature envisioned in philosophy, law, and religion.Trade Review"A welcome addition to the literature on environmental discourse." (Quarterly Review of Biology) "Infinite Nature takes the reader on a kaleidoscopic journey that provides a comprehensive and evocative description of the multiple perspectives from which we observe, understand, and value nature.... What prevail... are critical, balanced, and well-informed positions." (BioScience) "R. Bruce Hull serves as a highly competent guide, taking readers on richly challenging journeys through twelve dimensions of humanity's relations with nature.... This work is a tour de force: a meticulously fair presentation of issues that engage people's deepest passions.... Highly recommended." (Choice)"

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Book SynopsisThis book is well worth buying for its detailed summaries of the 25 studies, many of which are classic long-term projects, and for its insights into the factors determining reproductive success.William J. Sutherland, TREEA must read for anyone interested in evolution, mating/social systems, and population ecology.John L. Koprowski, IJournal of Insect Behavior

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