Animal Species and Evolution - Hardcover

Mayr, Ernst

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0674865308 ISBN 13: 9780674865303

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 2014

Synopsis

This masterly and long-awaited work is a full exposition, synthesis, summation, and critical evaluation of the present state of man's knowledge about the nature of animal species and of the part they play in the processes of evolution. In a series of twenty chapters, Ernst Mayr presents a consecutive story, beginning with a description of evolutionary biology and ending with a discussion of man as a biological species. Calling attention to unsolved problems, and relating the evolutionary subject matter to appropriate material from other fields, such as physiology, genetics, and biochemistry, the author integrates and interprets existing data. Believing that an unequivocal stand is more likely to produce constructive criticism than evasion of an issue, he does not hesitate to choose that interpretation of a controversial matter which to him seems most consistent with the emerging picture of the evolutionary process. Between the terminal points mentioned above, Mr. Mayr pursues the narrative through discussions of species concepts and their application, morphological species characters and sibling species, biological properties of species, isolating mechanisms, hybridization, the variation and genetics of populations, storage and protection of genetic variation, the unity of the genotype, geographic variation, the polytypic species of the taxonomist, the population structure of species, kinds of species, multiplication of species, geographic speciation, the genetics of speciation, the ecology of speciation, and species and transpecific evolution. The volume provides a valuable glossary; and an inclusive bibliography greatly extends its range for those who wish to investigate special aspects of the material. Animal Species and Evolution is presented as a permanent entity. In accordance with the author's feeling that the acquisition of new knowledge will require a new statement, rather than an emendation of a previous one, no substantive revisions of this volume are planned for future printings. Because of the impossibility of experimenting with man, and because an understanding of man's biology is indispensable for safeguarding his future, emphasis throughout this book is placed on those findings from the higher animals which are directly applicable to man. In his final chapter on hominids and the various forms of Homo, Mr. Mayr comes to the conclusion that, while modern man appears to be just as well adapted for survival purposes as were his ancestors, there is much evidence to suggest that he is threatened by the loss of his most typically human characteristics. It would be within his power to reverse this tendency.

About this title

Review:

I have been reading Ernst Mayr's "Animal Species and Evolution" with avidity Notably, the introductory classification and analysis of evolutionary theories clarifies the concepts of Darwin, his predecessors and his successors, with a profundity that will clearly shape future writing on the history of evolution.

It is the definitive treatment of systematics and evolution as interpreted in the light of the New Systematics.

This is the soundest, most complete, and best documented study ever published on genetical characteristics and evolutionary processes in animal populations around the crucial level of the species.

[A] masterly and illuminating statement of contemporary thinking about species and their basic role as integrated units of evolution. It will be indispensable for everyone interested in evolutionary biology.

A truly great work, which will remain a landmark in the biology of our age.

A major work of scholarship by one of the few Grand Masters of evolutionary genetics and taxonomy.

Ernst Mayr has described with lucidity and verve the modern concepts that elucidate the Golden Thread of Biology to wit, Evolution [His] treatise makes books on Evolution published lust a few years ago appear antiquated.

A work of extraordinary comprehensiveness I have no doubt that it is destined to be an abiding landmark in the study of evolution.

[A] masterly and illuminating statement of contemporary thinking about species and their basic role as integrated units of evolution. It will be indispensable for everyone interested in evolutionary biology.

A work of extraordinary comprehensiveness... I have no doubt that it is destined to be an abiding landmark in the study of evolution.

This is the soundest, most complete, and best documented study ever published on genetical characteristics and evolutionary processes in animal populations around the crucial level of the species.

Ernst Mayr has described with lucidity and verve the modern concepts that elucidate the Golden Thread of Biology--to wit, Evolution... [His] treatise makes books on Evolution published lust a few years ago appear antiquated.

It is the definitive treatment of systematics and evolution as interpreted in the light of the New Systematics.

A major work of scholarship by one of the few Grand Masters of evolutionary genetics and taxonomy.

I have been reading Ernst Mayr's Animal Species and Evolution with avidity... Notably, the introductory classification and analysis of evolutionary theories clarifies the concepts of Darwin, his predecessors and his successors, with a profundity that will clearly shape future writing on the history of evolution.

A truly great work, which will remain a landmark in the biology of our age.

About the Author:

Mayr Ernst

Ernst Mayr was Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology, Emeritus, at Harvard University. He was the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and awards, including the Crafoord Prize for Biology, the National Medal of Science, the Balzan Prize, and the Japan Prize.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0674865308
• ISBN 13: 9780674865303
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 816