Foundations of Systematics and Biogeography - Hardcover

Williams, David M.; Ebach, Malte C.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0387727280 ISBN 13: 9780387727288

Publisher: Springer, 2007

Synopsis

This volume draws attention to the seminal studies and important advances that have shaped systematic and biogeographic thinking and continue to influence its direction today. In doing so, the book will explode some myths currently part of biology. The book traces concepts in homology and classification from the 19th century to the present through the provision of a unique anthology of scientific writings. In addition, current attitudes and practices in comparative biology are interrogated. In order to alert prospective students to pitfalls common in systematics and biogeography, the book highlights three principal messages: biological classifications and their explanatory mechanisms are separate notions; most, if not all, homology concepts pre-date the works of Darwin; and that the foundation of all comparative biology is the concept of relationship – neither 'similarity' nor 'genealogical hypotheses of descent' are sufficient.

About this title

About the Author

David M. Williams is a diatom researcher and Head of Global Biodiversity Group in the Department of Botany, The Natural History Museum, London.
He has published over 150 scientific papers, including 6 books. Among his books he is a co-author of the standard text Cladistics: The Theory and Practice of Parsimony Analysis (1992) and co-editor on Models in Phylogeny Reconstruction (1994) and Milestones in Systematics (2004). He is interested in the history and theory of systematics and biogeography and the systmatics of diatoms.

Malte C. Ebach is the WP5 Scientific Coordinator for the European Distributed Institute of Taxonomy at the Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem. His interests include the history and theory of comparative biology (systematics and biogeography), Goethe's way of Science and when he has the time, trilobite taxonomy.

From the Back Cover

This volume draws attention to the seminal studies and important
advances that have shaped systematic and biogeographic thinking and
continue to influence its direction today. It traces concepts in
homology and classification from the 19th century to the present
through the provision of a unique anthology of scientific writings
from Goethe, Agassiz, Geoffroy St. Hilaire, Owen, Naef, Zangerl and
Nelson, among others. In addition, current attitudes and practices in
comparative biology are interrogated, particularly in relation to
evolutionary studies leading to a re-statement of the principal aims
of the discipline. In order to alert prospective students to pitfalls
common in systematics and biogeography, the book highlights three
principal messages: biological classifications and their explanatory
mechanisms are separate notions; most, if not all, homology concepts
pre-date the works of Darwin; and that the foundation of all
comparative biology is the concept of relationship - neither
'similarity' nor 'genealogical hypotheses of descent' are sufficient. Foundations of Systematics and Biogeography is an ideal volume for students, academics, researchers and professionals in the fields of systematics, biogeography, evolutionary biology and palaeontology.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0387727280
• ISBN 13: 9780387727288
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 328