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Book Cover
Book
Author Mayr, Ernst, 1904-2005.

Title Animal species and evolution / Ernst Mayr
Published Cambridge : Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1963

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Location Call no. Vol. Availability
 MELB  591.38 MAY  AVAILABLE
Description xiv, 797 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm
Contents Evolutionary biology -- Species concepts and their application -- Morphological species characters and sibling species -- Biological properties of species -- Isolating mechanisms -- The breakdown of isolating mechanisms (Hybridization) -- The population, its variation and genetics -- Factors reducing the genetic variation of populations -- Storage and protection of genetic variation -- The unity of the genotype -- Geographic variation -- The polytypic species of the taxonomist -- The population structure of species -- Kinds of species -- Multiplication of species -- Geographic speciation -- The genetics of speciation -- The ecology of speciation -- Species and transpecific evolution -- Man as a biological species -- Glossary
Summary This masterly work is a full exposition, synthesis, summation, and critical evaluation of the present state of man s knowledge about the nature of animal species and of the part they play in the processes of evolution. In a series of twenty chapters, Ernst Mayr presents a consecutive story, beginning with a description of evolutionary biology and ending with a discussion of man as a biological species. Calling attention to unsolved problems, and relating the evolutionary subject matter to appropriate material from other fields, such as physiology, genetics, and biochemistry, the author integrates and interprets existing data. Believing that an unequivocal stand is more likely to produce constructive criticism than evasion of an issue, he does not hesitate to choose that interpretation of a controversial matter which to him seems most consistent with the emerging picture of the evolutionary process. Between the terminal points mentioned above, Mr. Mayr pursues the narrative through discussions of species concepts and their application, morphological species characters and sibling species, biological properties of species, isolating mechanisms, hybridization, the variation and genetics of populations, storage and protection of genetic variation, the unity of the genotype, geographic variation, the polytypic species of the taxonomist, the population structure of species, kinds of species, multiplication of species, geographic speciation, the genetics of speciation, the ecology of speciation, and species and transpecific evolution. The volume provides a valuable glossary; and an inclusive bibliography greatly extends its range for those who wish to investigate special aspects of the material. "Animal Species and Evolution" is presented as a permanent entity. In accordance with the author s feeling that the acquisition of new knowledge will require a new statement, rather than an emendation of a previous one, no substantive revisions of this volume are planned for future printings. Because of the impossibility of experimenting with man, and because an understanding of man s biology is indispensable for safeguarding his future, emphasis throughout this book is placed on those findings from the higher animals which are directly applicable to man. In his final chapter on hominids and the various forms of "Homo," Mr. Mayr comes to the conclusion that, while modern man appears to be just as well adapted for survival purposes as were his ancestors, there is much evidence to suggest that he is threatened by the loss of his most typically human characteristics. It would be within his power to reverse this tendency
Analysis Animal species
Animals Variation
Evolution (Biology)
Notes 1970 ed. published under title: Populations, species, and evolution
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages [675]-781) and index
Notes Also issued online
Subject Animal species.
Animals -- Variation.
Evolution.
Evolution (Biology)
Species.
Biological Evolution.
Zoology.
LC no. 63009552
ISBN 0674037502
9780674037502