Adaptation / Edition 1

by Michael R. Rose, George V. Lauder

Overview

The study of evolutionary adaptation returns to the center stage of biology with this important volume. This innovative treatise discusses new developments in adaptation, with new methods, and new theoretical foundations, achievements, and prospects for a rich intellectual future. Once again adaptation is established as a fundamental cornerstone of evolution by means of natural selection. This is an insightful reintroduction to the themes that Darwin and his successors regarded as central to any profound understanding of biology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780125964210
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	09/22/1996
Pages:	511
Product dimensions:	6.88(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Introduction:
M.R. Rose and G.V. Lauder, Post-Spandrel Adaptationism. Concepts and Theories of Adaptation:
R. Amundson, History and Concepts of Adapatation.
G. Lauder, The Argument from Design.
J. Seger and J.W. Stubblefield, Optimization and Adaptation.
M. Kirkpatrick, Genes and Adaptation: A Pocket Guide to the Theory. Empirical Methods for Studying Adaptation:
B. Sinervo and A. Basolo, Testing Adaptation Using PhenotypicManipulations.
J. Losos and A. Larson, Phylogenetic Systematics of Adaptation.
M.R. Rose, T.J. Nusbaum, and A.K. Chippindale, Laboratory Evolution: The Experimental Wonderland and the Cheshire Cat Syndrome.
R. Hudson, The Empirical Study of Adaptation in Natural Populations.
R. Hudson, Molecular Population Genetics of Adaptation.
M. Novacek, Paleontological Data and the Study of Adaptation. diversity of Adaptive Processes:
G. Vermeij, Resistance and Response: Adaptation and Its Implication for Individuals and Clades.
M.J. Wade, Adaptation in Subdivided Populations: Kin Selection and Interdemic Selection.
L.D. Hurst, Adaptation and Selection of Genomic Parasites.
S.A. Frank, The Design of Naturaland Artificial Adaptive Systems.
Chapter References.
Subject Index.

Editorial Reviews

"Rose and Lauder recruited a fabulously select group of leaders in the study of adaptation and assembled their contributions into a stimulating and informative book well worth study by any biologist. This book is full of fascinating information and well-organized discussion that ought to be read by anyone interested in the ecology or evolution of any group of organisms." —COPEI "Adaptation is a valuable and well-written cautionary work for those who would execute the adaptationist program." —SCIENCE "Adaptation provides neither a consensus nor a synthesis on the 'criteria for demonstrating adaptation.' However, the concentration of diverse views collected in the book should promote plenty of discussion on this topic. Although Adaptation does not thoroughly cover levels of selection, it nonetheless shows that thinking about different levels has become relatively routine since 1966. A book ought to be thought-provoking or practically instructive (or both) [and in this case], Adaptation is a success. If one wants to find out about the sometimes subtle advantages and disadvantages of various empirical approaches, this book is a great place to start." —SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY "Adaptation is a scholarly, information-dense and exciting book. The range of ideas covered by the authors of this volume is breathtaking, from the deep history of adaptation to deep history and adaptation, from genes to fossils, from the evolution of biological systems to the evolution of artificial intelligence. The book is a step toward undoing more than 100 years of dwindling communication between ecologists and systematists. The result is an intriguing book, beautifully written and passionately argued. Adaptation is a scholarly, information-dense, exciting book. Adaptation is about something much more important than a few authors attempts at synthesis: it is about stimulating discussion. By being deliberately provocative in their choice of authors and placement of chapters, Rose & Lauder have created a book guaranteed to annoy as large a subset of the research populations possible; identification of the particularly heinous chapters will depend upon your own personal perspective and how strongly committed you are to that perspective." —ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR

From the Publisher

The foundations, achievements, and future prospects of the study of evolutionary adapation are discussed in this reintroduction to the themes that Darwin and his successors regarded as central to any profound understanding of Biology. Chapters are divided into sections on concepts and theories of adaptation, including optimization and adaptation and a pocket guide to the theory of genes and adaptation; empirical methods for studying adaptation, including phenotypic manipulations; and the diversity of adaptive processes. Paper edition (596421-8), $34.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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