Convergent evolution : limited forms most beautiful / George R. McGhee Jr.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McGhee, George R., author.

Series:

Vienna series in theoretical biology

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Convergence (Biology).

Physical Description:

1 online resource.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, MA : MIT Press, [2011]

System Details:

text file

Summary:

An analysis of convergent evolution, from molecules to ecosystems, demonstrating the limited number of evolutionary pathways available to life.

Contents:

1 What Is Convergent Evolution? 1

Recognizing Convergent Evolution 1

Convergent Evolution versus Parallel Evolution? 5

Evolutionary Constraint and Convergent Evolution 7

Mimicry, Camouflage, and Convergent Evolution 8

On the Organization of This Book 9

2 Convergent Animals 13

Locomotion 13

Carnivores: Prey Detection 30

Carnivores: Prey Capture 42

Herbivores: Plant Processing 50

Defense: Antipredator Adaptations 60

Organ Systems 66

Reproduction 81

3 Convergent Plants 93

Arborescence 93

Photoautotrophs: Light Capture 97

Photoautotrophs: Carbon Processing 101

Defense: Antiherbivore Adaptations 105

Defense: Antidehydration Adaptations 112

Reproduction 115

4 Convergent Ecosystems 135

One Ecological Role, Many Convergent Players 135

One Ecosystem Play, Many Convergent Casts of Actors 155

Isochronous and Heterochronous Ecosystem Convergence 163

A Periodic Table of Niches? 168

5 Convergent Molecules 177

Convergent Molecules? 177

DNA 178

Proteins and Protein Functions 189

Enzymes and Enzyme Functions 199

Convergent Evolution of Cellular and Tissue Structures? 205

6 Convergent Minds 209

Convergent Minds? 209

Problem-Solving Behavior 209

Group Behavior 228

Convergent Mentalities 238

7 Functional and Developmental Constraint in Convergent Evolution 245

Convergent Evolution in Theoretical Morphospace 246

Life as We Know It 252

Life as We Do Not Know It 253

A Periodic Table of Life? 260

3 Philosophical Implications of Convergent Evolution 265

The Argument for Unpredictability: Creative Freedom or Chaotic Randomness? 266

The Argument for Predictability: Comforting Certainty or Depressing Inevitability? 269

Judging the Arguments: Evolutionary Views on Trial 271

The Question of Extraterrestrial Life 276

In Conclusion: A Rewrite of Darwin's View of Life 276.

Notes:

OCLC-licensed vendor bibliographic record.

ISBN:

9780262298872

0262298872

9780262298001

0262298007

OCLC:

759409463

Publisher Number:

9786613302892

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.