Rates of Evolution A Quantitative Synthesis
Rates of Evolution: A Quantitative Synthesis by Philip D. Gingerich, published by Cambridge University Press on May 9, 2019, is a comprehensive exploration of the dynamics of evolutionary rates. This edition spans 381 pages and is presented in English. The book addresses the critical question of how fast evolution occurs and the implications of its pace, drawing on a range of studies from laboratory experiments to fossil records.
Readers will find a detailed analysis of the rate of evolution, examining whether it is gradual or punctuated. The text discusses historical perspectives on evolution, including contributions from notable figures such as Lamarck and Darwin, and delves into statistical methods, natural selection, and random drift. With case studies and worked examples, this book serves as a valuable resource for advanced students and researchers in fields such as paleontology, biology, and anthropology, providing insights into the complexities of evolutionary processes.
Official synopsis Publisher
How fast is evolution, and why does it matter? The rate of evolution, and whether it is gradual or punctuated, is a hotly debated topic among biologists and paleontologists. This book compiles and compares examples of evolution from laboratory, field, and fossil record studies, analyzing them to extract their underlying rates. It concludes that while change is slow when averaged over many generations, on a generation-to-generation time scale, evolution is rapid. Chapters cover the history of evolutionary studies, from Lamarck and Darwin in the nineteenth century to the present day. An overview of the statistics of variation, dynamics of random walks, processes of natural selection and random drift, and effects of scale and time averaging are also provided, along with methods for the analysis of evolutionary time series. Containing case studies and worked examples, this book is ideal for advanced students and researchers in paleontology, biology, and anthropology.
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