Frogs, Flies, and Dandelions

Speciation - The Evolution of New Species
Erscheinungsjahr 2002
ISBN: 978-0-19-850392-7
Verlag: Oxford University Press

Buch, Englisch, 254 Seiten, Print PDF, Format (B × H): 133 mm x 211 mm, Gewicht: 302 g

The evolution of new species - speciation - is a central theme in evolution. How does one species split into another? Why? How long does it take for a new species to be born? And what is a species anyway? Such is the importance of the problem that Charles Darwin himself dubbed it "the Mystery of Mysteries". These questions, the focus of intense debate in biology and critical for any assessment of biodiversity, are all tackled in the book. Schilthuizen, reputed scientist and journalist, launches into the debate with tremendous energy and wit. Using the sometimes vicious academic debates and vivid personalities of the scientists as background, he explores the meandering path of speciation research and sets it out in the clearest possible terms. The whole subject leaps to life and its significance for understanding biodiversity comes clear. This is a fascinating, galloping read that will appeal equally to the lay reader and to students getting to grips with the fundamentals of a complex subject.

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften Evolutionsbiologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politik: Sachbuch, Politikerveröffentlichungen
• Geowissenschaften Geographie | Raumplanung Geographie: Sachbuch, Reise
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Populärwissenschaftliche Werke

Inhaltsverzeichnis

- Introduction: The making of species

- 1: Sorting out life (what are species anyway?)

- 2: An isolated case? (Geographic speciation)

- 3: Tight spots (The magic of small populations)

- 4: Seductive theories (the power of sex)

- 5: Wham, bam, brand new species (on the instant origin of species)

- 6: A chronic case of Rhagoletis (the birth of an evolutionary heresy)

- 7: A freak show? (Apple maggots are not alone)

- 8: Ecotone - speciation prone? (kinks in the environment spawn species)

- 9: Victoria's blue genes (sex in sympatry)

- 10: Mystery? What mystery?

- Coda; Acknowledgements; Notes; Glossary; Bibliography; Index

Über Autor(innen)

Dr Menno Schilthuizen, Associate Professor, Tropical Biology and Conservation Unit, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabulu, Malaysias Email: [e-mail]