Neutral Models in Biology

✍ Scribed by Matthew H. Nitecki, Antoni Hoffman

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Year: 1987
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 177
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Neutral models are constructed to help scientists understand complex patterns of form, structure, or behavior that may not be observed directly. In this unique volume, eight distinguished scientists present a comprehensive study of the use of neutral models in testing biological theories. They describe the principles of model testing and explore how they are applied to research in molecular biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and paleontology. In addition to the editors, the contributors include Stephen Stigler, David Raup, Paul Harvey, L.B. Slobodkin, Stuart Kauffman, William Wimsatt, and James Crow.

✦ Table of Contents

Contents......Page 10
Contributors......Page 11
Introduction: Neutral Models as a Biological Research Strategy......Page 14
I. MOLECULAR AND GENETIC MODELS......Page 20
1. Neutral Models in Molecular Evolution......Page 22
2. False Models as Means to Truer Theories......Page 34
3. Self-Organization, Selective Adaptation, and Its Limits: A New Pattern of Inference in Evolution and Development......Page 67
II. ECOLOGICAL MODELS......Page 102
4. How to Be Objective in Community Studies......Page 104
5. On the Use of Null Hypotheses in Biogeography......Page 120
III. PALEONTOLOGICAL MODELS......Page 130
6. Neutral Models in Paleobiology......Page 132
7. Neutral Model of Taxonomic Diversification in the Phanerozoic: A Methodological Discussion......Page 144
8. Testing Hypotheses or Fitting Models? Another Look at Mass Extinctions......Page 158
C......Page 171
F......Page 172
I......Page 173
M......Page 174
R......Page 175
T......Page 176
Z......Page 177