The Comparative Method In Evolutionary Biology

Author : Paul H. Harvey,Mark D. Pagel
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 262 pages
File Size : 53,6 Mb
Release : 1998
Category : Science
ISBN : UOM:39015049671095

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The Comparative Method in Evolutionary Biology by Paul H. Harvey,Mark D. Pagel Pdf

From Darwin onward, it has been second nature for evolutionary biologists to think comparatively, because comparisons establish the generality of evolutionary phenomena. Do large genomes slow down development? What lifestyles select for large brains? Are extinction rates related to body size? These are all questions for the comparative method, and this book is about how such questions can be answered. It examines how the comparative method complements other approaches, identifies the biological causes of similarity among species, and discusses methods for reconstructing phylogenetic trees, along with many other topics. The book will interest all students, professionals, and researchers in evolutionary biology, ecology, genetics and related fields.

Author : László Zsolt Garamszegi
Publisher : Springer
Page : 552 pages
File Size : 47,9 Mb
Release : 2014-07-29
Category : Science
ISBN : 9783662435502

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Modern Phylogenetic Comparative Methods and Their Application in Evolutionary Biology by László Zsolt Garamszegi Pdf

Phylogenetic comparative approaches are powerful analytical tools for making evolutionary inferences from interspecific data and phylogenies. The phylogenetic toolkit available to evolutionary biologists is currently growing at an incredible speed, but most methodological papers are published in the specialized statistical literature and many are incomprehensible for the user community. This textbook provides an overview of several newly developed phylogenetic comparative methods that allow to investigate a broad array of questions on how phenotypic characters evolve along the branches of phylogeny and how such mechanisms shape complex animal communities and interspecific interactions. The individual chapters were written by the leading experts in the field and using a language that is accessible for practicing evolutionary biologists. The authors carefully explain the philosophy behind different methodologies and provide pointers – mostly using a dynamically developing online interface – on how these methods can be implemented in practice. These “conceptual” and “practical” materials are essential for expanding the qualification of both students and scientists, but also offer a valuable resource for educators. Another value of the book are the accompanying online resources (available at: http://www.mpcm-evolution.com), where the authors post and permanently update practical materials to help embed methods into practice.

Author : Charles L. Nunn
Publisher : University of Chicago Press
Page : 392 pages
File Size : 48,6 Mb
Release : 2011-11-30
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780226608983

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The Comparative Approach in Evolutionary Anthropology and Biology by Charles L. Nunn Pdf

And when new fossils are found, such as those of the tiny humans of Flores, scientists compare these remains to other fossils and contemporary humans.

Author : Liam J. Revell,Luke J. Harmon
Publisher : Princeton University Press
Page : 440 pages
File Size : 51,7 Mb
Release : 2022-09-06
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780691219035

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Phylogenetic Comparative Methods in R by Liam J. Revell,Luke J. Harmon Pdf

An authoritative introduction to the latest comparative methods in evolutionary biology Phylogenetic comparative methods are a suite of statistical approaches that enable biologists to analyze and better understand the evolutionary tree of life, and shed vital new light on patterns of divergence and common ancestry among all species on Earth. This textbook shows how to carry out phylogenetic comparative analyses in the R statistical computing environment. Liam Revell and Luke Harmon provide an incisive conceptual overview of each method along with worked examples using real data and challenge problems that encourage students to learn by doing. By working through this book, students will gain a solid foundation in these methods and develop the skills they need to interpret patterns in the tree of life. Covers every major method of modern phylogenetic comparative analysis in RExplains the basics of R and discusses topics such as trait evolution, diversification, trait-dependent diversification, biogeography, and visualizationFeatures a wealth of exercises and challenge problemsServes as an invaluable resource for students and researchers, with applications in ecology, evolution, anthropology, disease transmission, conservation biology, and a host of other areasWritten by two of today’s leading developers of phylogenetic comparative methods

Author : M. Lässig,A. Valleriani
Publisher : Springer
Page : 342 pages
File Size : 42,5 Mb
Release : 2008-01-11
Category : Science
ISBN : 9783540456926

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Biological Evolution and Statistical Physics by M. Lässig,A. Valleriani Pdf

This set of lecture notes gives a first coherent account of a novel aspect of the living world that can be called biological information. The book presents both a pedagogical and state-of-the art roadmap of this rapidly evolving area and covers the whole field, from information which is encoded in the molecular genetic code to the description of large-scale evolution of complex species networks. The book will prove useful for all those who work at the interface of biology, physics and information science.

Author : Emília P. Martins
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Page : 429 pages
File Size : 50,7 Mb
Release : 1996
Category : Animal behavior
ISBN : 9780195092103

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Phylogenies and the Comparative Method in Animal Behavior by Emília P. Martins Pdf

In the last ten years, the "comparative method" has been revolutionized by modern statistical ways of incorporating phylogenies into the design and analysis of comparative studies. The results of this revolution are particularly important in the study of animal behavior, which has relied on interspecific comparisons to infer universal trends and evolutionary patterns. The chapters of this edited volume consider the impact of modern phylogenetic comparative methods on the study of animal behavior and discuss the main issues that need to be considered in design and analysis of a comparative study, considers possible differences between the evolution of behavior and the evolution of morphology, and reviews how phylogenetic comparative studies have been used in certain areas of behavioral research.

Author : Jonathan B. Losos
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 384 pages
File Size : 45,6 Mb
Release : 2017-08-08
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780399184932

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Improbable Destinies by Jonathan B. Losos Pdf

A major new book overturning our assumptions about how evolution works Earth’s natural history is full of fascinating instances of convergence: phenomena like eyes and wings and tree-climbing lizards that have evolved independently, multiple times. But evolutionary biologists also point out many examples of contingency, cases where the tiniest change—a random mutation or an ancient butterfly sneeze—caused evolution to take a completely different course. What role does each force really play in the constantly changing natural world? Are the plants and animals that exist today, and we humans ourselves, inevitabilities or evolutionary flukes? And what does that say about life on other planets? Jonathan Losos reveals what the latest breakthroughs in evolutionary biology can tell us about one of the greatest ongoing debates in science. He takes us around the globe to meet the researchers who are solving the deepest mysteries of life on Earth through their work in experimental evolutionary science. Losos himself is one of the leaders in this exciting new field, and he illustrates how experiments with guppies, fruit flies, bacteria, foxes, and field mice, along with his own work with anole lizards on Caribbean islands, are rewinding the tape of life to reveal just how rapid and predictable evolution can be. Improbable Destinies will change the way we think and talk about evolution. Losos's insights into natural selection and evolutionary change have far-reaching applications for protecting ecosystems, securing our food supply, and fighting off harmful viruses and bacteria. This compelling narrative offers a new understanding of ourselves and our role in the natural world and the cosmos.

Author : Mark Ridley
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Page : 296 pages
File Size : 44,7 Mb
Release : 1983
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN : UCSD:31822006533475

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The Explanation of Organic Diversity by Mark Ridley Pdf

The explanation of organic diversity: the comparative method and adaptations for mating.

Author : Libbie Henrietta Hyman
Publisher : University of Chicago Press
Page : 806 pages
File Size : 42,9 Mb
Release : 1992-09-15
Category : Education
ISBN : 0226870138

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Hyman's Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy by Libbie Henrietta Hyman Pdf

The purpose of this book, now in its third edition, is to introduce the morphology of vertebrates in a context that emphasizes a comparison of structire and of the function of structural units. The comparative method involves the analysis of the history of structure in both developmental and evolutionary frameworks. The nature of adaptation is the key to this analysis. Adaptation of a species to its environment, as revealed by its structure, function, and reproductive success, is the product of mutation and natural selection–the process of evolution. The evolution of structure and function, then, is the theme of this book which presents, system by system, the evolution of structure and function of vertebrates. Each chapter presents the major evolutionary trends of an organ system, with instructions for laboratory exploration of these trends included so the student can integrate concept with example.

Author : Niles Eldredge,Joel Cracraft
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 376 pages
File Size : 42,5 Mb
Release : 1980
Category : Science
ISBN : UCSD:31822023534670

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Phylogenetic Patterns and the Evolutionary Process by Niles Eldredge,Joel Cracraft Pdf

Author : Emmanuel Paradis
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 221 pages
File Size : 51,6 Mb
Release : 2006-11-25
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780387351001

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Analysis of Phylogenetics and Evolution with R by Emmanuel Paradis Pdf

This book integrates a wide variety of data analysis methods into a single and flexible interface: the R language. The book starts with a presentation of different R packages and gives a short introduction to R for phylogeneticists unfamiliar with this language. The basic phylogenetic topics are covered. The chapter on tree drawing uses R's powerful graphical environment. A section deals with the analysis of diversification with phylogenies, one of the author's favorite research topics. The last chapter is devoted to the development of phylogenetic methods with R and interfaces with other languages (C and C++). Some exercises conclude these chapters.

Author : Daniel R. Brooks,Deborah A. McLennan
Publisher : University of Chicago Press
Page : 456 pages
File Size : 53,7 Mb
Release : 1991
Category : Science
ISBN : 0226075710

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Phylogeny, Ecology, and Behavior by Daniel R. Brooks,Deborah A. McLennan Pdf

"The merits of this work are many. A rigorous integration of phylogenetic hypotheses into studies of adaptation, adaptive radiation, and coevolution is absolutely necessary and can change dramatically our collective 'gestalt' about much in evolutionary biology. The authors advance and illustrate this thesis beautifully. The writing is often lucid, the examples are plentiful and diverse, and the juxtaposition of examples from different biological systems argues forcefully for the validity of the thesis. Many new insights are offered here, and the work is usually accessible to both the practiced phylogeneticist and the naive ecologist."—Joseph Travis, Florida State University "[Phylogeny, Ecology, and Behavior] presents its arguments forcefully and cogently, with ample . . .support. Brooks and McLennan conclude as they began, with the comment that evolution is a result, not a process, and that it is the result of an interaction of a variety of processes, environmental and historical. Evolutionary explanations must consider all these components, else they are incomplete. As Darwin's explanations of descent with modification integrated genealogical and ecological information, so must workers now incorporate historical and nonhistorical, and biological and nonbiological, processes in their evolutionary perspective."—Marvalee H. Wake, Bioscience "This book is well-written and thought-provoking, and should be read by those of us who do not routinely turn to phylogenetic analysis when investigating adaptation, evolutionary ecology and co-evolution."—Mark R. MacNair, Journal of Natural History

Author : Randy Thornhill,Steven W. Gangestad
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 422 pages
File Size : 45,6 Mb
Release : 2008
Category : Health & Fitness
ISBN : 9780195340983

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The Evolutionary Biology of Human Female Sexuality by Randy Thornhill,Steven W. Gangestad Pdf

This title introduces a theoretical framework for understanding women's sexuality based on comparative female sexuality across all vertebrate animals. It shows that estrus is present in human females, contrary to earlier research.

Author : P. C. Lee,Phyllis C. Lee
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 428 pages
File Size : 55,8 Mb
Release : 2001-07-19
Category : Nature
ISBN : 0521004241

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Comparative Primate Socioecology by P. C. Lee,Phyllis C. Lee Pdf

Methodologies as applied to recent primate research that will provide new approaches to comparative research.

Author : Jennifer Vonk,Todd K. Shackelford
Publisher : OUP USA
Page : 591 pages
File Size : 48,9 Mb
Release : 2012-02-13
Category : Medical
ISBN : 9780199738182

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The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Evolutionary Psychology by Jennifer Vonk,Todd K. Shackelford Pdf

This volume brings together leading experts in comparative and evolutionary psychology. Top scholars summarize the histories and possible futures of their disciplines, and the contribution of each to illuminating the evolutionary forces that give rise to unique abilities in distantly and closely related species.