Macroevolution: Explanation, Interpretation and Evidence

About this book

Macroevolution: Explanation, Interpretation and Evidence is divided in two parts, the first of which shows how, beyond paleontology and systematics, macroevolutionary theories apply key insights from ecology and biogeography, developmental biology, biophysics, molecular phylogenetics and even the sociocultural sciences to explain evolution in deep time. In the second part, the phenomenon of macroevolution is examined with the help of real life-history case studies on the evolution of eukaryotic sex, the formation of anatomical form and body-plans, extinction and speciation events of marine invertebrates, hominin evolution and species conservation ethics.

Macroevolution: Explanation, Interpretation and Evidence brings together leading experts, who explain pivotal concepts such as Punctuated Equilibria, Stasis, Developmental Constraints, Adaptive Radiations, Habitat Tracking, Turnovers, (Mass) Extinctions, Species Sorting, Major Transitions, Trends and Hierarchies – key premises that allow macroevolutionary epistemic frameworks to transcend microevolutionary theories that focus on genetic variation, selection, migration and fitness. Along the way, the contributing authors review ongoing debates and current scientific challenges; detail new and fascinating scientific tools and techniques that allow us to cross the classic borders between disciplines; demonstrate how their theories make it possible to extend the Modern Synthesis; present guidelines on how the macroevolutionary field could be further developed; and provide a rich view of just how it was that life evolved across time and space.

In short, Macroevolution: Explanation, Interpretation and Evidence is a must-read for active scholars and because the technical aspects are fully explained, it is also accessible for non-specialists. Understanding evolution requires a solid grasp of above-population phenomena. Species are real biological individuals and abiotic factors impact the future course of evolution. Beyond observation, when the explanation of macroevolution is the goal, we need both evidence and theory that enable us to explain and interpret how life evolves at the grand scale.

Contents

Part 1: Macroevolutionary Explanations and Interpretations
- Can Modern Evolutionary Theory Explain Macroevolution?
- Evolution as a Largely Autonomous Process
- Visualizing Macroevolution: From Adaptive Landscapes to Compositions of Multiple Spaces
- Toward a Natural Philosophy of Macroevolution
- Networks and Hierarchies: Approaching Complexity in Evolutionary Theory
- Uniting Micro - with Macroevolution into an Extended Synthesis: Reintegrating Life’s Natural History into Evolution Studies

Part 2: Evidencing Macroevolution with Case Studies
- Using Microevolution to Explain the Macroevolutionary Observations for the Evolution of Sex
- Speciation: Expanding the Role of Biogeography and Niche Breadth in Macroevolutionary Theory
- Morphological Misfits and the Architecture of Development
- Macroevolution In and Around the Hominin Clade
- Facing the Big Sixth: From Prioritizing Species to Conserving Biodiversity

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