Evolution / Evolutionary biology Books

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

Read more less

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;

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

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.

Read more less

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

Read more less

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.

Read more less

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.

Read more less

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.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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)"

Read more less

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)"

Read more less

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)"

Read more less

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)"

Read more less

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)"

Read more less

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)"

Read more less

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.

Read more less

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.

Read more less

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)"

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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.

Read more less

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.

Read more less

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)"

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn essays that survey the burgeoning field of tropical herpetology, former students and associates pay tribute to Jay Savage's four decades of mentoring. The result is a book unlike any other available in tropical herpetology.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTwo species come to mind when one thinks of the Galapagos Islands - the giant tortoises and Darwin's fabled finches. This title collects the illuminating and scientifically significant writings on the finches of the Galapagos to teach the fundamental principles of evolutionary theory and to provide a historical record of scientific debate.

Read more less

Book SynopsisExamines how the environment shapes the way an animal processes information and makes decisions, and how constraints imposed on nervous systems affect an animal's activities. To help answer these questions, this text integrates evolutionary ecology and cognitive science.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPresents a historical account of the origin, rise, and importance of paleobiology. The author shows how the movement was conceived and promoted by a group of paleontologists and examines the intellectual, disciplinary, and political dynamics involved in the ascendency of paleobiology. It offers insight on data-driven approaches in recent science.Trade Review"An exceptional book, Rereading the Fossil Record draws wisely and appreciatively on the work of fellow historians of science. But it stands on its own as a major contribution that will interest biologists, historians more generally (it's not only good history, it's about history), and philosophers alike." (Science)

Read more less

Book SynopsisFeatures the history of biology textbook publishing, education reforms in Tennessee, and progressive school reform across the country. This volume sheds light on the trial and the historical relationship of science and religion in America. It explores how the textbook industry created fresh books and presented them as "responses" to the trial.Trade Review"A masterful reevaluation of the infamous 'Monkey Trial' of 1925.... Engagingly written.... Beyond its important insights into how issues in the textbook industry and matters of curriculum policy shaped the Scopes trial, Trying Biology offers an oft-needed reminder of the need to interrogate critically the claims of historical actors." (History of Education Quarterly)

Read more less

Book SynopsisNature has published news about the history of life ever since its first issue in 1869. This work brings together 19 review articles written for Nature over the past decade. Topics include major extinction events, homeotic genes and body plans and the origin and evolution of the primates.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisNo fight over what gets taught in American classrooms is more heated than the battle over humanity's origins. For more than a century we have argued about evolutionary theory and creationism (and its successor theory, intelligent design), yet we seem no closer to a resolution than we were in Darwin's day. In this thoughtful examination of how we teach origins, historian Adam Laats and philosopher Harvey Siegel offer crucial new ways to think not just about the evolution debate but how science and religion can make peace in the classroom. Laats and Siegel agree with most scientists: creationism is flawed, as science. But, they argue, students who believe it nevertheless need to be accommodated in public school science classes. Scientific or not, creationism maintains an important role in American history and culture as a point of religious dissent, a sustained form of protest that has weathered a century of broadand often dramaticsocial changes. At the same time, evolutionary theory

Read more less

Book SynopsisArgues that environmentalism will never achieve its goals unless it sheds its fundamentalist logic. This work explores 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.Trade Review"In Infinite Nature, Bruce Hull seeks to open the frozen American dialogue about the environment. Nature is unfathomably complex, leading to multiple perspectives on how humans should relate to it. Rather than continuing environmental fundamentalism and deadlock, Hull seeks to end innocence and build responsibility by developing the shared understanding of perspectives that is needed for reasoned negotiation of desired futures. This is a bold book that ventures across a wide spectrum of disciplines and does so with extraordinary depth in each area." - J. Douglas Wellman, North Carolina State University"

Read more less

Book SynopsisCharles Darwin is easily the most famous scientist of the modern age, and his theory of evolution is constantly referenced in many contexts by scientists and nonscientist alike. And yet, despite how frequently his ideas are evoked, there remains a surprising amount we don't know about the father of modern evolutionary thinking, his intellectual roots, and the science he produced. Debating Darwin seeks to change that, bringing together two leading Darwin scholars Robert J. Richards and Michael Ruse to engage in a spirited and insightful dialogue, offering their interpretations of Darwin and their critiques of each other's thinking. Examining key disagreements about Darwin that continue to confound even committed Darwinists, Richards and Ruse offer divergent views on the origins and nature of Darwin and his ideas. Ruse argues that Darwin was quintessentially British and that the roots of his thought can be traced back to the eighteenth century, particularly to the Industrial Revolution and thinkers such as Adam Smith and Thomas Robert Malthus. Ruse argues that when these influences are appreciated, we can see how Darwin's work in biology is an extension of their theories. In contrast, Richards presents Darwin as a more cosmopolitan, self-educated man, influenced as much by French and particularly German thinkers. Above all, argues Richards, it was Alexander von Humboldt who both inspired Darwin and gave him the conceptual tools that he needed to find and formulate his evolutionary hypotheses. Together, the authors show how the reverberations of the contrasting views on Darwin's influences can be felt in theories about the nature of natural selection, the role of metaphor in science, and the place of God in Darwin's thought. Revealing how much there still is to investigate and interrogate about Darwin's ideas, Debating Darwin contributes to our understanding of evolution itself. The book concludes with a jointly authored chapter that brings this debate into the present, focusing on human evolution, consciousness, religion, and morality. This will be powerful, essential reading for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of modern-day evolutionary science and philosophy.

Read more less

Book SynopsisRepresenting current research in evolutionary paleobiology, this book provides an overview of this rapidly changing field. Contributors to this volume present results of original research and aim to provide directions for future studies.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis text demonstrates the rich variety of clues to evolution that can be gleaned from the fossil record. Contributors explore modes of development, the tempo of speciation and extinction, and macroevolutionary patterns and trends.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn the mid-twentieth century, American plant breeders, frustrated by their dependence on natural variation in creating new crops and flowers, eagerly sought technologies that could extend human control over nature. Their search led them to celebrate a series of strange tools: an x-ray beam directed at dormant seeds; a drop of chromosome-altering colchicine on a flower bud; a piece of radioactive cobalt in a field of growing crops. According to scientific and popular reports of the time, these mutation-inducing methods would generate variation on demand, in turn allowing breeders to genetically engineer crops and flowers to order. Creating a new crop or flower would soon be as straightforward as innovating any other modern industrial product. In Evolution Made to Order, Helen Anne Curry traces the history of America's pursuit of tools that could speed up evolution. Focusing on three key technologies x-rays, colchicine, and radioisotopes it is an immersive journey through the scientific and social worlds of mid-century genetics and plant breeding and a compelling exploration of American cultures of innovation. As Curry reveals, the creation of genetic technologies was deeply entangled with other areas of technological innovation from electromechanical to chemical to nuclear. Providing vital historical context for current worldwide ethical and policy debates over genetic engineering, Evolution Made to Order is an important study of biological research and innovation in America that will interest modern biotechnologists, biologists, and breeders, as well as historians of science and technology.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe natural world is infinitely complex and hierarchically structured, with smaller units forming the components of progressively larger systems: molecules make up cells, cells comprise tissues and organs that are, in turn, parts of individual organisms, which are united into populations and integrated into yet more encompassing ecosystems. In the face of such awe-inspiring complexity, there is a need for a comprehensive, non-reductionist evolutionary theory. Having emerged at the crossroads of paleobiology, genetics, and developmental biology, the hierarchical approach to evolution provides a unifying perspective on the natural world and offers an operational framework for scientists seeking to understand the way complex biological systems work and evolve. Coedited by one of the founders of hierarchy theory and featuring a diverse and renowned group of contributors, this volume provides an integrated, comprehensive, cutting-edge introduction to the hierarchy theory of evolution. From sweeping historical reviews to philosophical pieces, theoretical essays, and strictly empirical chapters, it reveals hierarchy theory as a vibrant field of scientific enterprise that holds promise for unification across the life sciences and offers new venues of empirical and theoretical research. Stretching from molecules to the biosphere, hierarchy theory aims to provide an all-encompassing understanding of evolution and with this first collection devoted entirely to the concept will help make transparent the fundamental patterns that propel living systems.

Read more less

Book SynopsisElucidates three origins, or geneses, of life - bacteria, cells, and multicellular organisms - and shows how evolution has sculpted life to its biodiversity through four main events: mutation, recombination, natural selection, and geologic cataclysm. This book emphasizes the role of unions in organizing life.Trade Review"Meinesz offers a wonderful tale of how one scientist's tenacity and enthusiasm may bring to light not only the degradation of natural systems but also weaknesses in our approach to science.... Meinesz's elegant and courageous story resembles an epic feat rather than just a narrative. It shows how science survived because of the author's enthusiasm and love, for his work and the biota he studies." - Joseph-Maria Gill, Science"

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisLand bridges are the causeways of biodiversity. When they form, organisms are introduced into a new patchwork of species and habitats, forever altering the ecosystems into which they flow; and when land bridges disappear or fracture, organisms are separated into reproductively isolated populations that can evolve independently. More than this, land bridges play a role in determining global climates through changes to moisture and heat transport and are also essential factors in the development of biogeographic patterns across geographically remote regions. In this book, paleobotanist Alan Graham traces the formation and disruption of key New World land bridges and describes the biotic, climatic, and biogeographic ramifications of these land masses' changing formations over time. Looking at five land bridges, he explores their present geographic setting and climate, modern vegetation, indigenous peoples (with special attention to their impact on past and present vegetation), and geologic history. From the great Panamanian isthmus to the boreal connections across the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans that allowed exchange of organisms between North America, Europe, and Asia, Graham's sweeping, one-hundred-million-year history offers new insight into the forces that shaped the life and land of the New World.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn argument for the role of culture in human evolution, arguing that the leaps we made can only really be understood if we explore the role of culture in their development.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe authors argue that the growth pattern and form of the colony in many bryozoans is an adaptive strategy rather than a stable genetic character. Bryozoan Evolution is profusely illustrated and has a bibliography of over 400 titles. It will find an appreciative audience of paleontologists, invertebrate zoologists, and ecologists thanks to its innovative and detailed evaluations of the roles of ecology, adaptive and functional morphology, life histories, biomechanics, developmental constraints, and chance on the evolution of the marine taxa of this speciose group.--Russel L. Zimmer, Science This book is an excellent source of information on the functional morphology and variety of colonial architecture in bryozoans, very well illustrated, and worth reading at least twice.-Robert L. Anstey, Paleobiology Even as one of the converted, I found the book a stimulating combination of paleobiology and ecology. In many ways it is a 'teaser'-the authors suggest a number of interesting hypotheses, and can test only some of them. Perhaps most important, McKinney and Jackson provide a plethora of fascinating ideas and examples that demonstrate the potential of this group of animals, and that should stimulate more work.-Michael S. Keough, TREE This stimulating book is sure to promote further interest in bryozoans. It will appeal to biologists and paleontologists alike.-Paul Taylor, Times Higher Education Supplement

Read more less