Forms of Becoming: The Evolutionary Biology of Development

Description

What comes first, form or function? Trumpeted as the future of biological science, evolutionary developmental biology (or 'evo-devo') answers this question by showing how evolution controls the development of organisms. This book looks at the history and key issues of evo-devo. It focuses on the ways animal organisms evolve through competition.

Alessandro Minelli is professor of zoology at the University of Padua in Italy. He is the author of "The Development of Animal Form" and the coeditor of "Evolving Pathways: Key Themes in Evolutionary Developmental Biology".

"Minelli provides his distinctive perspective of the field of evolutionary developmental biology. Whether or not readers agree with himon specific points, he raisesmany interesting questions that might well be fuel for long discussions on a summer evening. Overall, this book is stimulating reading and will provide much food for thought."--Christian Peter Klingenberg, Trends in Ecology and Evolution "I enjoyed reading Forms of Becoming. It added depth to my knowledge of the historical background of comparative morphological studies, and it regrounded my appreciation of the diversity of evolutionary modifications in development across animals. I recommend this book as entry-level reading for non-'evo-devo' folks as well as the many developmental and evolutionary biologists whose research involves phenotype. I also recommend this thought-provoking book to graduate students... In summary, Minelli promotes an integrative view that is timely and immensely valuable."--Paula Mabee, BioScience "This book is a fascinating reading. It will appeal to anyone that has an interest in animal form and development, and also in genetics."--Evelyne Bremond-Hoslet, Mammalia