Handbook of Evolution : The Evolution of Living Systems (Including Hominids)
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
In three volumes, The Handbook of Evolution spans the entire field of evolution from the origins of our universe, through the development of living systems on earth, to the formation of social structures and science and technology.
In this second volume, the world-renowned expert authors are joined by Pulitzer prizewinner Edward O. Wilson, of Harvard University. With each contribution written in a uniform style, the authors consider the subject from the perspective of a variety of disciplines, with numerous cross-referencing so as to retain a logical internal structure throughout.
An introductory synopsis of the evolution of organisms leads on to a look at the effects of complex social life on evolution and biodiversity. This is followed by the historical and philosophical aspects of the theory of biological evolution, human and animal. The final sections cover evolutionary developmental biology and environmental change as a possible driver of human evolution plus the human impact itself.
The result is more than a straightforward dictionary or encyclopedia, providing an overview of the history and methods used in the study of evolution, and not shying away from controversial theories and discussions. A must for scientists interested in the current level of knowledge in disciplines outside their own, as well as for anyone seeking an overview of the significance of evolution today.
About the Author
Born in 1955, Franz M. Wuketits studied zoology, paleontology, philosophy, and philosophy of science and obtained his PhD in 1978 from the University of Vienna, Austria, where he has been teaching philosophy of science since 1980, with a special emphasis on biology. He has also lectured at the University of Graz, Austria, and the Technical University of Vienna. He is Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research and a member of the advisory board of several scientific institutions. He is the author of 29 books, editor or co-editor of 12 volumes and has numerous articles to his name. In 1982, Professor Wuketits received the Austrian Award for Scientific Publishing
Born in Madrid, Spain, Francisco J. Ayala is Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of California, Irvine, USA. He is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society and numerous foreign academies, and has received numerous prizes and honorary degrees, including the National Medal of Science in 2002. He has published more than 850 articles and is the author or editor of 19 books. Professor Ayala's research focuses on population and evolutionary genetics, including the origin of species, genetic diversity of populations, the origin of malaria, the population structure of parasitic protozoa, and the molecular clock of evolution.
Handbook of Evolution: The Evolution of Living Systems (Including Hominids),Franz M. Wuketits,Francisco J. Ayala,Franz M. Wuketits,Francisco J. Ayala,Wiley,3527308385,Handbooks & Manuals,Life Sciences - Evolution,Organic Evolution,Reference,Science,Evolution,Reference works,Science / Biology
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