Acquiring Genomes: A Theory Of The Origin Of SpeciesIn this groundbreaking book, Lynn Margulis and Dorion Sagan present an answer to one of the enduring mysteries of evolution -- the source of inherited variation that gives rise to new species. Random genetic mutation, long believed to be the main source of variation, is only a marginal factor. As the authors demonstrate in this book, the more important source of speciation, by far, is the acquisition of new genomes by symbiotic merger. The result of thirty years of delving into a vast, mostly arcane literature, this is the first book to go beyond -- and reveal the severe limitations of -- the "Modern Synthesis" that has dominated evolutionary biology for almost three generations. Lynn Margulis, whom E. O. Wilson called "one of the most successful synthetic thinkers in modern biology," and her co-author Dorion Sagan have written a comprehensive and scientifically supported presentation of a theory that directly challenges the assumptions we hold about the variety of the living world. |
Contents
3 | |
Darwins Dilemma | 25 |
Relative Individuality | 51 |
The Natural Selector | 67 |
Principles of Evolutionary Novelty | 71 |
PART TWO THE MICROBE IN EVOLUTION | 79 |
Species and Cells | 81 |
History of the Heritable | 89 |
Eukaryosis in an Anoxic World | 139 |
PART FOUR CONSORTIA | 163 |
Seaworthy Alliances | 165 |
Plant Proclivities | 185 |
The Fission Theory | 191 |
Species in the Evolutionary Dialogue | 201 |
Glossary | 207 |
Acknowledgments | 225 |
Other editions - View all
Acquiring Genomes: A Theory Of The Origin Of Species Lynn Margulis,Dorion Sagan No preview available - 2003 |
Acquiring Genomes: A Theory Of The Origin Of Species Lynn Margulis,Dorion Sagan No preview available - 2008 |
Common terms and phrases
acquired genomes algae ancestors animals association bacteria bacterium behavior biologists biology body called carbon centromeres chemical chimera chromosomes ciliates complex cyanobacteria Darwin diploid Earth ecosystems eggs entire environment eukaryotes Euplotidium evolution evolutionary evolved example fertile FIGURE fossil fungal fungi fungus fusion Gaia genes genetic genomes genus gradients green grow heritable Heterotermes inherited integrated karyomastigont karyotypic Karyotypic Fission kinetochore kinetochore-centromere kinetosomes larvae lichens living mammals mate metabolic microbes microtubules million years ago motility natural selection nematocyst nitrogen nucleated cells nucleated organisms nucleus offspring olenids organelle origin of species oxygen paradesmose partners Phanerozoic photosynthesis phylum plants populations produce prokaryotes protein Proterozoic protists protoctists random mutation reproduction scientists single slugs speciation spirochete spores squid structure sulfide sulfur survive symbiogenesis symbiosis symbiotic taxa tend termites thermodynamics Thermoplasma Thiodendron tion tissue traits trilobites undulipodia variation Vernadsky Williamson worms