Pillars of evolution [[electronic resource] ] : fundamental principles of the eco-ecolutionary process / / Douglas W. Morris, Per Lundberg

• Autore: Morris Douglas W
• Pubblicazione: Oxford, : Oxford University Press, 2011
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (281 p.)
• Disciplina: 576.8
• Soggetto topico: Evolution (Biology); Adaptation (Biology)
• Soggetto genere / forma: Electronic books.
• Altri autori: LundbergPer
• Note generali: Description based upon print version of record.
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references (p. [249]-264) and index.
• Nota di contenuto: Cover; Contents; 1. Introduction; Why study evolution?; The map of evolution; Pillars of evolution; 2. Mechanics; Overview; Introduction: the scale of mechanism; Random change; Systematic change; Quantitative inheritance: a full understanding of mechanics must include an assessment of polygenic traits; Interactions among genes and traits: trade-offs and constraints shackle adaptive evolution; Plasticity: malleable responses are adaptive solutions to varying environments ; A challenge to the genetical theory of adaptive evolution: can developmental and behavioural plasticity force genes to follow traits?Mechanics of population growth and decline; The limits of mechanics: mechanics, though essential, is an insufficient explanation for evolution; Reflection; 3. Function; Overview; Introduction: where traits meet the environment; The fitness-mapping function; Fitness sets and the fitness-generating function; The adaptive function; Mappings; Multiple traits; Optimal trait values; Reflection; 4. Structure; Overview; Introduction: mapping traits onto fitness ; Traits and functionTraits, states, and strategies; Optimization; Constraints and reinforcement; Structure at different scales; The structure matrix; Where traits fail to map onto function; Reflection; 5. Scale; Overview; Introduction: backward-looking adaptation; Shortcuts in modelling evolution; Size and allometry; Grain: how the scale of environment influences evolution; Multi-level adaptation; Prescriptions: avoiding the fallacies of simplicity and complexity; Reflection; 6. Dynamics; Overview; Introduction; Growth and decline; Density dependence and demography ; Adaptive dynamics and the G-functionThe adaptive landscape; Evolutionary branching; Red Queen dynamics; Spatial dynamics; Bet-hedging; Trophic interactions; Reflection; 7. Adaptation; Overview; Introduction: explanations for life; The possible, the ephemeral, and the feasible; Epiphenomena: where are the trees?; Maladaptation: lost expectations or promised success?; Reflection: the thread of evolution; References; Index; A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; V; W
• Sommario/riassunto: Pillars of Evolution provides a fresh and provocative perspective on adaptive evolution. Readers new to the study of evolution will find a refreshing new insight that establishes evolutionary biology as a rigorous and predictive science, whilst practicing biologists will discover a provocative book that challenges traditional approaches. The book begins by leading readers through the mechanics of heredity, reproduction, movement, survival, and development. With that framework in place, it then explores the numerous ways that traits emerge from the interactions between genetics, development, a
• Titolo autorizzato: Pillars of evolution
• ISBN: 0-19-162657-0; 9786613426819; 0-19-856879-7; 1-283-42681-1
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Record Nr.: 9910465427303321
• Lo trovi qui: Univ. Federico II
• Serie: Oxford biology.