1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910798222903321

Autore

Paradise Christopher J.

Titolo

Evolutionary history / / Christopher J. Paradise, A. Malcolm Campbell

Pubbl/distr/stampa

New York, [New York] (222 East 46th Street, New York, NY 10017) : , : Momentum Press, , 2016

ISBN

1-60650-966-7

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (65 pages) : illustrations

Collana

Biology collection

Disciplina

575

Soggetti

Evolution (Biology)

Plants - Evolution

Human evolution

Libros electronicos.

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

1. Descent with modification and adaptive radiations can be observed -- Adaptive radiation of orchids from a common ancestor -- Rapid diversification in bats --

2. Terrestrial plants evolved from aquatic ancestors millions of years ago --

3. Humans evolved from hominid ancestors in Africa -- Ethical, legal, social implications: eugenics yesterday and today -- Ethical, legal, social implications: evolution has not reached its peak; humans are still evolving --

4. Evolution can occur quickly in response to strong selection -- Ethical, legal, social implications: overuse of chemicals like pesticides and antibiotics can have detrimental effects --

Conclusion -- Glossary -- Index.

Sommario/riassunto

This book describes how evolutionary history is studied using several well-known examples and also using evolutionary trees. Evolutionary trees are analyzed and used to explain adaptive radiations of orchids and the diversification of bats over geologic time. Evolutionary trees and genetic evidence is used to infer when and from what ancestors terrestrial plants evolved and invaded land. Specific adaptations of early land plants led to the evolution of terrestrial plants and their success



on land. Evidence about the ancestors and habitats of humans is used to infer and analyze the evolution of the human family tree, whose populations were subject to the same forces of evolution to which other species are subject. Human evolution was not linear, involved offshoot species that did not survive, and took many thousands of years. In contrast, evolution can be seen in just a few years or less in other examples, and analysis of the evolution of mechanisms of pesticide resistance in insects will be used to illustrate this rapid evolution.