Evolutionary AnalysisDesigned to help readers learn how to "think" like evolutionary biologists, this 4-color book approaches evolutionary biology as a dynamic field of inquiry and as a "process." Using a theme-based approach, it illustrates the interplay between theory, observation, testing and interpretation. It offers commentary on strengths and weaknesses of data sets, gives detailed examples rather than a broad synoptic approach, includes many data graphics and boxes regarding both sides of controversies. Introduces each major organizing theme in evolution through a question--e.g., How has HIV become drug resistant? Why did the dinosaurs, after dominating the land vertebrates for 150 million years, suddenly go extinct? Are humans more closely related to gorillas or to chimpanzees? Focuses on many applied, reader-relevant topics--e.g., evolution and human health, the evolution of senescence, sexual selection, social behavior, eugenics, and biodiversity and conservation. Then develops the strategies that evolutionary biologists use for finding an answers to such questions. Then considers the observations and experiments that test the predictions made by competing hypotheses, and discusses how the data are interpreted. For anyone interested in human evolution, including those working in human and animal health care, environmental management and conservation, primary and secondary education, science journalism, and biological and medical research. |
Common terms and phrases
A₁ AA Aa aa adaptive adults allele frequencies asexual assumptions average beak depth beetle behavior biologists birds calculate called carry allele CCR5 cells change in allele Chapter chromosomes colleagues copulations cystic fibrosis Daphne Major Darwin deleterious dominant allele eggs environment evolutionary evolve example favor females Figure finches flies flowers fossil fraction frequency of allele frequency of heterozygotes function gametes gene pool genetic drift genetic variation genotype frequencies graph greater prairie chickens Hardy-Weinberg analysis Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium principle heritability heterozygotes homozygotes homozygous host human hypothesis iguanas inbreeding depression infection island lele linkage disequilibrium loci locus males mating mean fitness migration mutation rate natural selection Number of individuals offspring parasite parents phenotypes plants pollinators population genetics predicted produce protein quency random recessive allele reproductive success researchers result Science sequence shows snakes species sperm survive theory tion traits ulation virions zygotes