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This book is reflecting upon core theories in evolutionary biology – in a historical as well as contemporary context. It exposes the main areas of interest for discussion, but more importantly draws together hypotheses and future research directions. The Modern Synthesis (MS), sometimes referred to as Standard Evolutionary Theory (SET), in evolutionary biology has been well documented and discussed, but was also critically scrutinized over the last decade. Researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds have claimed that there is a need for an extension to that theory, and have called for an Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES). The book starts with an introductory chapter that summarizes the main points of the EES claim and indicates where those points receive treatment later in the book. This introduction to the subjects can either serve as an initiation for readers new to the debate, or as a guide for those looking to pursue particular lines of enquiry. The following chapters are organized around historical perspectives, theoretical and philosophical approaches and the use of specific biological models to inspect core ideas. Both empirical and theoretical contributions have been included. The majority of chapters are addressing various aspects of the EES position, and reflecting upon the MS. Some of the chapters take historical perspectives, analyzing various details of the MS and EES claims. Others offer theoretical and philosophical analyses of the debate, or take contemporary findings in biology and discuss those findings and their possible theoretical interpretations. All of the chapters draw upon actual biology to make their points. This book is written by practicing biologists and behavioral biologists, historians and philosophers - many of them working in interdisciplinary fields. It is a valuable resource for historians and philosophers of biology as well as for biologists. Chapters 8, 20, 22 and 33 are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Many of the characteristics that distinguish plants from other living organisms can be traced to their origin early in the history of life. Features such as a multicellular haploid life stage, prevalent hermaphroditism, self-fertilization, and general dependence on biotic and abiotic vectors for reproduction stem directly from the ability of plants to obtain energy from the sun. This novel mode of energy capture had far-ranging implications for plant evolution. It not only fueled the tremendous diversification of life on Earth, but also had far-ranging implications for the evolution of early photosynthetic organisms and eventually land plants. Understanding the evolutionary processes for the proliferation and diversification of plants requires an appreciation of their unique biological features. While the processes of mutation, selection, genetic drift, and gene flow are the same for both plants and animals, there are specific characteristics of plants that affect their evolution. Unique traits of plants affect everything from the fate of mutations, to exposure to selection in the haploid life stage, to the distribution of genetic variation within and among populations, and ultimately the rates and patterns of diversification. This book examines the origins of the unique features of plants and the implications of these features for evolutionary processes. Author Mitchell B. Cruzan provides discussion of contemporary topics such as population genetics, phylogeography, phylogenetics, ecological genetics, and genomics. The content covered is essential to a wide range of advanced courses in plant biology.

This book presents 19 selected contributions to the 20th Evolutionary Biology Meeting in Marseille, which took place in September 2016. They are grouped under the following major themes:· Self/Nonself Evolution· Species Evolution and Evolution of Complex Traits· Methods and Concepts The aims of the annual meetings in Marseille – which bring together leading evolutionary biologists and other scientists using evolutionary biology concepts, e.g. for medical research – are to promote the exchange of ideas and to encourage interdisciplinary collaborations. Offering a revealing overview of the latest findings in the field of evolutionary biology, this book represents an invaluable source of information for scientists, teachers and advanced students alike.

This book presents selected contributions to the 19th Evolutionary Biology Meeting, which took place in September 2015 in Marseille. It consists of 22 chapters, which are grouped in four sections: · Convergent Evolution · Evolution of Complex Traits · Concepts · Methods The annual Evolutionary Biology Meetings in Marseille serve to gather leading evolutionary biologists and other scientists using evolutionary biology concepts, e.g for medical research, to promote the exchange of ideas and to encourage interdisciplinary collaborations. Offering an up-to-date overview of recent findings in the field of evolutionary biology, this book is an invaluable source of information for scientists, teachers and advanced students.

This book presents 20 selected contributions to the 18th Evolutionary Biology Meeting, which took place in September 2014 in Marseille. They are grouped under the following major themes:· Genotype to Phenotype · Genetic Mechanisms of Diversification· Evolutionary Mechanisms· Speciation and BiodiversityThe aims of these annual meetings in Marseille are to bring together leading evolutionary biologists and other scientists who employ evolutionary biology concepts, e.g. for medical research, and to promote the exchange of ideas and encourage interdisciplinary collaborations.Offering an up-to-date overview of recent advances in the field of evolutionary biology, this book represents an invaluable source of information for scientists, teachers and advanced students.

This book includes the most essential contributions presented at the 17th Evolutionary Biology Meeting in Marseille, which took place in September 2013. It consists of 18 chapters organized according to the following categories:· Molecular and Genome Evolution· Phylogeography of Speciation and Coevolution· Exobiology and Origin of LifeThe aims of the annual meetings in Marseille, which bring together leading evolutionary biologists and other scientists using evolutionary biology concepts, e.g. for medical research, are to promote the exchange of ideas and to encourage interdisciplinary collaborations. Offering an overview of the latest findings in the field of evolutionary biology, this book represents an invaluable source of information for scientists, teachers and advanced students.

Evolution - both the fact that it occurred and the theory describing the mechanisms by which it occurred - is an intrinsic and central component in modern biology. Theodosius Dobzhansky captures this well in the much-quoted title of his 1973 paper'Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution'. The correctness of this assertion is even more obvious today: philosophers of biology and biologists agree that the fact of evolution is undeniable and that the theory of evolution explains that fact. Such a theory has far-reaching implications. In this volume, eleven distinguished scholars address the conceptual, metaphysical and epistemological richness of the theory and its ethical and religious impact, exploring topics including DNA barcoding, three grand challenges of human evolution, functionalism, historicity, design, evolution and development, and religion and secular humanism. The volume will be of great interest to those studying philosophy of biology and evolutionary biology.

After volume 33, this book series was replaced by the journal'Evolutionary Biology.'Please visit www.springer.com/11692 for further information. This volume is the 33rd in this series, which includes 32 numbered volumes and an unnumbered supplement. Several special volumes have also been published as separate monographs. This volume, like the others in the series, has chapters devoted to a broad spectrum of topics. Indeed, the editors continue to solicit manuscripts on subjects covered by the encompassing rubric of Evolutionary Biology.'Volume 33 continues the grand tradition of Evolutionary Biology in being the most comprehensive series in the field. The chapters are always up-to-date, informative, and stimulating; sometimes infuriating. Just what good scientific literature should be! Particularly attractive is the free-wheeling spirit of the series: no style or length is imposed. If you want to remain cognizant of contemporary evolutionary advances in general and have time to read only one volume a year outside your own specialty, make it Evolutionary Biology.'(Jeffrey R. Powell, Ph.D., Yale University)

This book presents 19 selected contributions to the 16th Evolutionary Biology Meeting, which took place in September 2012 in Marseilles. The aims of these annual meetings, which gather together leading evolutionary biologists and other scientists, are to promote the exchange of ideas and to encourage interdisciplinary collaborations. The first chapter deals with the history of a great discovery: The first experiments on ascidian and sea urchin egg fertilization. The remaining contributions are grouped under the following categories:· Evolutionary biology concepts· Exobiology and the origin of life· Evolutionary mechanismsOffering an up-to-date overview of recent findings in the field of evolutionary biology, this book is an invaluable source of information for scientists, teachers and advanced students.

This volume is the twenty-ninth in this series, which includes twenty-eight numbered volumes and one unnumbered supplement. The editors continue to focus on critical reviews, commentaries, original papers, and controversies in of the reviews range from anthropology to evolutionary biology. The topics molecular evolution, population biology to paleobiology. Recent volumes have included a broad spectrum of chapters on such subjects as population biology, comparative morphology, paleobiology, molecular phy­ logenetics, developmental evolutionary biology, systematics, and the history of evolutionary biology. The editors continue to solicit manuscripts in all areas of evolutionary biology. Manuscripts should be sent to anyone of the following: Max K. Hecht, Department of Biology, Queens College of the City University of New York, Flushing, New York 11367; Ross 1. MacIntyre, Department of Genetics and Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853; or Michael T. Clegg, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California 92521. vii Contents 1. Homology and Embryonic Development Brian K. Hall Introduction.............................................. 1 A Brief History of the Concept of Homology................. 1 von Baer's Laws........................................ 4 Germ Layers and Ernst Haeckel............................ 6 Embryology and Homology............................... 7 Homology: An Unsolved Problem............................ 8 Latent Homology........................................ 8 Serial Homology........................................ 9 Common Origins and Common Inductions..................... 12 Mechanisms of Gastrulation............................... 13 Origin of the Alimentary Canal............................ 14 Origin of Germ Cells........................... 14.......... Induction of Meckel's Cartilage............................ 15 Induction of the Lens of the Eye........................... 16 Development of Internal and External Cheek Pouches.......... 18 Selection for Increased Tail Length in Mice.................. 19 Regeneration and Homology........................ 20.......

Evolutionary Biology, of which this is the twenty-second volume, continues to offer its readers a wide range of original articles, reviews, and commentaries on evolution, in the broadest sense of that term. The topics of the reviews range from anthropology, molecular evolution, and paleobiology to principles of systematics. In recent volumes, a broad spectrum of articles have appeared on such subjects as asymmetric sexual isolation, biochemical systematics in plants, species selection, DNA hybridization and phylogenetics, modes of evolution in Pleistocene rodents, and development and evolution of the vertebrate limb. We have also attempted to provide a forum for con­ flicting ideas. Articles such as these, often too long for standard journals, are the material for Evolutionary Biology. The editors continue to solicit manuscripts on an international scale in an effort to see that everyone ofthe many facets of biological evolution is covered. Manuscripts should be sent to anyone of the following: Max K. Hecht, Department of Biology, Queens College of the City University of New York, Flushing, New York 11367; Bruce Wallace, Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacks­ burg, Virginia 24061; GhilleanT. Prance, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York 10458. The Editors vii Contents 1. Phylogeny of Early Vertebrate Skeletal Induction and Ossification Patterns....................................... 1 John G. Maisey Introduction: The Fossil Record.................................... 1..

The first volume of Evolutionary Biology was published thirteen years ago. Since that time thirteen volumes and one supplement have appeared. As stated in earlier prefaces, we are continuing the focus of this series on critical reviews, commentaries, original papers, and controversies in evolu­ tionary biology. It is our aim to publish papers primarily of greater length than normally published by society journals and quarterlies. We therefore invite colleagues to submit chapters that fall within the focus and standards of Evolutionary Biology. The editors regretfully announce that Dr. William C. Steere has decided to withdraw from the editorial board of Evolutionary Biology. Dr. Ghillean T. Prance will replace Dr. Steere for forthcoming volumes. Manuscripts should be sent to anyone of the following: Max K. Hecht, Department of Biology, Queens College of the City University of New York, Flushing, New York 11367; Bruce Wallace, Department of Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850; Ghillean T. Prance, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York 10458. The Editors vii Contents 1. Some Relationships between Density-Independent Selection and Density-Dependent Population Growth Timothy Prout Introduction............................................. Part I. The Basic Model: Definitions, Assumptions, and Relationships.................................... 3 Part II. Biological Aspects........................ 10......... Introduction................................ 10........... The Biological Interpretation of the Model.............. 10.... Experimental and Observational Aspects............... 13.... Part III. Census-Stage Theory...................... 22........ Introduction................................ 22........... Two-Point Census...................................... 23 Three-Point Census: Classical Selection.................. 42... Summary of Two-and Three-Point Censuses............. 50... Part IV. Summary and Some Implications................ 52.... Summary.............................................. 52 Some Implications............................ 54.......... Appendix.................................. 59.............. References................................. 65..............

The annual Evolutionary Biology Meetings in Marseilles serve to gather leading evolutionary biologists and other scientists using evolutionary biology concepts, e.g. for medical research. The aims of these meetings are to promote the exchange of ideas and to encourage interdisciplinary collaborations.This book collects 19 selected contributions presented at the 15th meeting, which took place in September 2011. It starts with a description of the life and work of J.B.S. Haldane, a remarkable evolutionary biologist of the 20th century. The remaining chapters are grouped under the following three themes:· New Concepts in Evolutionary Biology· Macroevolution: Mechanisms and Trends· Genome EvolutionOffering an up-to-date overview of recent results in the field of evolutionary biology, this book is an invaluable source of information for scientists, teachers and advanced students.

After volume 33, this book series was replaced by the journal'Evolutionary Biology.'Please visit www.springer.com/11692 for further information. The nature of science is to work on the boundaries between the known and the unknown. These boundaries shift as new methods are developed and as new concepts are elaborated (e.g., the theory of the gene, or more recently, the coalescence framework in population genetics). These tools allow us to address questions that were previously outside the realm of science, and, as a consequence, the boundary between the knowable and unknowable has shifted. A study of limits should reveal and clarify the boundaries and make sharper the set of questions. This book examines and analyzes these new limits as they are applied to evolutionary biology and population genetics. It does this by framing the analysis within four major classes of problems - establishing the fact of evolution; understanding the evolutionary pathways that led to today's biological world; mechanisms of evolutionary change (e.g., models of social behavior, sexual selection, macro evolution); and, finally, prediction.

Evolutionary Biology, of which this is the twenty-first volume, continues to offer its readers a wide range of original articles, reviews, and com­ mentaries on evolution, in the broadest sense of that term. The topics of the reviews range from anthropology and behavior to molecular biology and systematics. In recent volumes, a broad spectrum of articles have appeared on such subjects as evolution of the bacterial genome, biochemical system­ atics in plants, a discussion of species selection, and development and evolution of the vertebrate limb. Articles such as these, often too long for standard journals, are the material for Evolutionary Biology. The editors continue to solicit manuscripts on an international scale in an effort to see that everyone ofthe many facets of biological evolution is covered. Manuscripts should be sent to anyone of the following: Max K. Hecht, Department of Biology, Queens College of the City University of New York, Flushing, New York 11367; Bruce Wallace, Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacks­ burg, Virginia 24061; or Ghillian T. Prance, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York 10458.

Evolutionary Biology, of which this is the eighteenth volume, con­ tinues to offer its readers a wide range of original articles, reviews, and commentaries on evolution, in the bro~dest sense of that term. The topics of the reviews range from anthropology and behavior to molecular biology and systematics. In recent volumes, a broad spectrum of articles have appeared on such subjects as natural selection among replicating molecules in vitro, mate recognition and the reproductive behavior of Drosophila, molecular systematics ofCrocodilia, evolution of the monocotyledons, and the com­ munication network made possible among even distantly related genera of bacteria by plasmids and other transposable elements. Articles such as these, often too long for standard journals, are the stuff of Evolutionary Biology. The editors continue to solicit manuscripts on an international scale in an effort to see that everyone of the many facets of biological evolution is covered. Manuscripts should be sent to anyone of the following: Max K. Hecht, Department of Biology, Queens College of the City University of New York, Flushing, New York 11367; Bruce Wallace, Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacks­ burg, Virginia 24061; Ghillian T. Prance, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York 10458.

Evolutionary Biology, of which this is the nineteenth volume, continues to offer its readers a wide range of original articles, reviews, and com­ mentaries on evolution, in the broadest sense of that term. The topics of the reviews range from anthropology and behavior to molecular biology and systematics. In recent volumes, a broad spectrum of articles have appeared on such subjects as natural selection among replicating molecules in vitro, mate recognition and the reproductive behavior in Drosophila, evolution of the monocotyledons, species selection, and the communication net­ work made possible among even distantly related genera of bacteria by plasmids and other transposable elements. Articles such as these, often too long for standard journals, are the stuff of Evolutionary Biology. The editors continue to solicit manuscripts on an international scale in an effort to see that everyone of the many facets of biological evolution is covered. Manuscripts should be sent to anyone of the following: Max K. Hecht, Department of Biology, Queens College of the City University of New York, Flushing, New York 11367; Bruce Wallace, Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacks­ burg, Virginia 24061; Ghillian T. Prance, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York 10458. The Editors vII Contents 1. Discontinuous Processes in the Evolution of the Bacterial Genome........................................ 1 Monica Riley Introduction...............................,........ 1 Internal Rearrangements............................... 2 Large-Scale Internal Rearrangements.................... 2 Small-Scale Rearrangements: Divergence of Duplicate Genes......................................... 11 Interactions between Two Genomes...................... 20 Transposons: Jumping Genes.................... 20...... Plasmids: Incorporation into Genomic DNA.............. 23.

An integrative view of the evolution of genetics and the natural world Even in this advanced age of genomics, the evolutionary process of unicellular and multicellular organisms is continually in debate. Evolutionary Biology, Cell–Cell Communication, and Complex Disease challenges current wisdom by using physiology to present an integrative view of the nature, origins, and evolution of fundamental biological systems. Providing a deeper understanding of the way genes relate to the traits of living organisms, this book offers useful information applying evolutionary biology, functional genomics, and cell communication studies to complex disease. Examining the 4.5 billion-year evolution process from environment adaptations to cell-cell communication to communication of genetic information for reproduction, Evolutionary Biology hones in on the'why and how'of evolution by uniquely focusing on the cell as the smallest unit of biologic structure and function. Based on empirically derived data rather than association studies, Evolutionary Biology covers: A model for forming testable hypotheses in complex disease studies The integrating role played by the evolution of metabolism, especially lipid metabolism The evolutionary continuum from development to homeostasis Regeneration and aging mediated by signaling molecules Ambitious and game-changing Evolutionary Biology suggests that biology began as a mechanism for reducing energy within the cell, defying the Second Law of Thermodynamics. An ideal text for those interested in forward thinking scientific study, the insights presented in Evolutionary Biology help practitioners effectively comprehend the evolutionary process.

Since 1997, scientists of different disciplines sharing a deep interest in concepts and knowledge related to evolutionary biology have held the annual Evolutionary Biology Meetings in Marseille in order to discuss their research and promote collaboration. Lately scientists especially focusing on applications have also joined the group. This book starts with the report of the'12th Evolutionary Biology Meeting', which gives a general idea of the meeting's epistemological stance. This is followed by 22 chapters, a selection of the most representative contributions, which are grouped under the following four themes: Part I Concepts and Knowledge - Part II Modelization - Part III Applied Evolutionary Biology - Part IV Applications in Other Fields -Part IV transcends the field of biology, presenting applications of evolutionary biology in economics and astronomy.