Keywords And Concepts In Evolutionary Development Biology

Science News,  Sept 16, 2006  

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KEYWORDS AND CONCEPTS IN EVOLUTIONARY DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY

BRIAN K. HALL AND WENDY M. OLSON, EDS.

Nicknamed "evo-devo," evolutionary developmental biology is based on the premise that evolution operates through inherited changes in the ways in which organisms develop in the womb and soon after birth. This book is a collection of essays written by scientists in the field, who describe the processes of development and the ways that evolution acts on them. The authors cover the main topics within evo-devo, including evolution, genetics, environment, selection, and the relationship between genotype and phenotype. Within those topics is an explanation of, atavism, or the reappearance of a characteristic typical of a remote ancestor. The phenomenon shows that potential morphologies can be conserved for millions of years. Other topics include how fossils illuminate ancient ontogeny, how genetic information is inherited, and how phylogenetic trees convey the evolutionary processes of species. This book is intended mainly for students and scientists seeking an introduction to the concepts in this increasingly popular field. Harvard, 2006, 476 p., b&w illus., paperback, $29.95.

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