Evolutionary Trends - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0816512345 ISBN 13: 9780816512348

Publisher: University of Arizona Press, 1990

Synopsis

This book examines evolutionary trends within a wide range of fossil invertebrate and vertebrate animals and fossil plants. An international group of research leaders in palaeontology contribute broad review chapters on the patterns and processes of directionality in evolution, as evidenced from the fossil record. The different hierarchies of trends are considered at taxonomic levels from the interspecific to broader groups, and the rate and interrelationships of processes are documented. The key evolutionary questions of how particular characters are selected for and how far the morphology of particular lifeforms is linked to their function are addressed. The environmental dimension of evolutionary change is developed and in particular the evidence for evolutionary trends following environmental gradients is evaluated. Overall, the book summarizes the state of our knowledge and theory about how evolution works and where processes cause change and influence direction, rate and scale. The scope and limitation of fossil data are fully assessed, particularly in the reconstruction of ancient environments. The relative importance of heterochrony, as against predation and competition for initiating and sustaining change is evaluated. The book shows that evolution is not a random process and it provides a major scientific synthesis of current evolutionary work for palaeontologists and life scientists.

About this title

Review

"A challenging book, both for its high degree of technical sophistication and the frontal attack it makes on some long-cherished notions about evolutionary development."--Choice"The reiteration of common themes makes this book an unexpected treasure-trove for the biologically curious."--Nature"Sets up some good markers for prospective work on evolutionary trends, and will be helpful to future researchers seeking to bridge the gap between concepts and data."--Global Ecology and Biogeography Letters"The quality of the diverse contributions to this book is high, with well-written and well-illustrated chapters making reasonable points and well argued cases."--Paleogeography Paeoclimatology Paleoecology (The Netherlands)

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Arizona Press
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0816512345
• ISBN 13: 9780816512348
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368
• Editor: McNamara Kenneth J.