The Changing Role of the Embryo in Evolutionary Thought: Roots of Evo-DevoIn this book Ron Amundson examines two hundred years of scientific views on the evolution-development relationship from the perspective of evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo). This perspective challenges several popular views about the history of evolutionary thought by claiming that many earlier authors had made history come out right for the Evolutionary Synthesis. The book starts with a revised history of nineteenth-century evolutionary thought. It then investigates how development became irrelevant with the Evolutionary Synthesis. It concludes with an examination of the contrasts that persist between mainstream evolutionary theory and evo-devo. This book will appeal to students and professionals in the philosophy and history of science, and biology. |
Contents
| 1 | |
BEYOND THE ESSENTIALISM STORY | 24 |
Systematics and the Birth of the Natural System | 31 |
The Origins of Morphology the Science of Form | 53 |
Owen and Darwin The Archetype and the Ancestor | 76 |
7 | 88 |
The First | 107 |
Interlude | 130 |
EXPLAINING THE ABSENCE | 137 |
Basics of the Evolutionary Synthesis | 159 |
Structuralist Reactions to the Synthesis | 169 |
The Synthesis Matures | 198 |
Recent Debates and the Continuing Tension | 213 |
References | 259 |
Index | 275 |
Other editions - View all
The Changing Role of the Embryo in Evolutionary Thought: Roots of Evo-Devo Ron Amundson No preview available - 2007 |
The Changing Role of the Embryo in Evolutionary Thought: Roots of Evo-Devo Ron Amundson No preview available - 2005 |
Common terms and phrases
adaptation adaptationism adaptationist adult ancestors Archetype argument aspects bauplan body Bowler causal causes cells Chapter characters claim Cuvier Darwin Darwinian debates developmental types dichotomies differentiation discovery discussed distinction Dobzhansky early embryo embryological embryological development epigenetic Ernst Mayr Essentialism Story evo-devo evolution evolutionary biology evolutionary change evolutionary morphology Evolutionary Synthesis evolutionary theory existence explain explanatory goal fact function geneticists genotype genotype-phenotype distinction Geoffroy germ groups Haeckel heredity homologous genes homology Huxley idealism idealist important individual irrelevant limb macroevolution Mayr Mayr's MCTH mechanism Mendelian merely metaphysical modern modification molecular morphology natural selection Natural System natural theology naturalists neo-Darwinian neo-Darwinism nineteenth century ontogenetic ontogeny organisms origins Owen Owen's pattern phenotype philosophical phylogenetic phylogeny Platonic population genetics population thinking pre-Darwinian recognize refuted rejected scientific segment similarities species fixism structuralist structure taxa taxonomic teleology traits transmission genetics typological thinking typology understanding Unity of Type variation vertebrates Waddington Weismann
Popular passages
Page 83 - ANALOGUE." — A part or organ in one animal which has the same function as another part or organ in a different animal. " HOMOLOGUE." — The same organ in different animals under every variety of form and function f.
Page 97 - If we suppose that the ancient progenitor, the archetype as it may be called, of all mammals, had its limbs constructed on the existing general pattern, for whatever purpose they served, we can at once perceive the plain signification of the homologous construction of the limbs throughout the whole class.
Page 102 - It is generally acknowledged that all organic beings have been formed on two great laws — Unity of Type, and the Conditions of Existence. By unity of type is meant that fundamental agreement in structure which we see in organic beings of the same class, and which is quite independent of their habits of life. On my theory, unity of type is explained by unity of descent. The expression of conditions of existence...
Page 44 - Every organized individual forms an entire system of its own, all the parts of which mutually correspond, and concur to produce a certain definite purpose, by reciprocal reaction, or by combining towards the same end.
Page 91 - Power, we may conceive the existence of such ministers, and personify them by the term ' nature', we learn from the past history.of our globe, that she has advanced with slow and stately steps, guided by the archetypal light, amidst the wreck of worlds, from the first embodiment of the vertebrate idea under its old ichthyic vestment, until it became arrayed in the glorious garb of the human form.
Page 91 - To what natural laws or secondary causes the orderly succession and progression of such organic phenomena may have been committed we as yet are ignorant. But if, without derogation of the divine power, we may conceive the existence of such ministers and personify them by the term 'nature,' we learn from the past history of our globe that she has advanced with slow and stately steps, guided by the archetypal light, amidst the wreck of worlds, from the first embodiment of the vertebrate idea under...
Page 84 - I define a vertebra, as one of those segments of the endo-skeleton which constitute the axis of the body, and the protecting canals of the nervous and vascular trunks : such a segment may also support diverging appendages.
Page 102 - Hence, in fact, the law of the Conditions of Existence is the higher law; as it includes, through the inheritance of former variations and adaptations, that of Unity of Type.
Page 94 - ... and their relation to safe parturition. But when we find that the same ossific centres are established, and in similar order, in the skull of the embryo kangaroo, which is born when an inch in length, and in that of the callow bird that breaks the brittle egg, we feel the truth of Bacon's comparison of final causes to the Vestal Virgins.
Page 100 - Unity of Type. ence here between Darwin and Agassiz. The latter will admit, with Owen and every morphologist, that hopeless is the attempt to explain the similarity of pattern in members of the same class by utility or the doctrine of final causes. "On the ordinary view of the independent creation of each being, we can only say that so it is, that it has so pleased the Creator to construct each animal and plant.