Behavior, body types and the irreversibility of evolution

Acta Biotheoretica
F Aboitiz

Abstract

A functional approach to evolutionary morphology is emphasized in this paper. This perspective differs from the current 'structuralist' trend, which emphasizes the constraining role of developmental paths. In addition, the present approach agrees with the adaptationist paradigm. It is further argued that three types of phenomena are better understood in this light: i. The existence of evolutionary trends, ii. The maintenance of certain structural features within a given taxon, and iii. The irreversibility of evolution.

References

Sep 21, 1979·Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Containing Papers of a Biological Character·S J Gould, R C Lewontin
Sep 1, 1975·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·R F Kay
Mar 1, 1983·The Quarterly Review of Biology·R G Northcutt, C Gans
Oct 1, 1970·Journal of the History of Biology·S J Gould
Oct 2, 1987·Science·D B Wake, A Larson
Mar 1, 1978·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Russell Lande
May 1, 1982·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·James M Cheverud
Sep 1, 1988·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·George F OsterPere Alberch

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Citations

Apr 18, 2003·The American Naturalist·Raymond B HueyB Sinervo
Nov 21, 2007·Reviews in the Neurosciences·Francisco Aboitiz, Juan Montiel
Dec 1, 1994·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Jonathan B LososThomas W Schoener

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