The Material Basis of Evolution

✍ Scribed by Goldschmidt, Richard

• Publisher: Pageant Books / Yale University Press
• Year: 1960 [1940
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 445
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

In this book, Goldschmidt inquires into the types of hereditary differences that produce new species. Goldschmidt used a wide range of research to formulate his own picture of evolution. Contrary to near-unanimity among scientists, he insisted that the neo-Darwinian theory of micromutations applied only within species and was no longer tenable as a general theory of evolution. Instead, Goldschmidt claimed, macroevolution resulted from larger jumps in genotype - across "bridgeless gaps" - related either to systemic mutations or to mutations affecting early development.

✦ Table of Contents

Preface

Contents

I. INTRODUCTION

II. THE PROBLEM

III. MICROEVOLUTION

1. The micromutations
2. The single mutations
3. Local polymorphism
4. Subspecies and geographic variation

A. The taxonomic facts
B. Genetic and biological analysis combined with taxonomy

a. Analysis of the rassenkreis of Lymantria dispar L.
b. Subspecies and still lower units
c. Radal chains (clines)
d. Independent variation of individual traits
e. Adaptational value

aa. General
bb. Ecological races
ee. Parallelism of subspecific clines
dd. Special adaptations

f. Genetic analysis
g. The evolutionary aspect

1. Limiting features of subspecific variation

A. Fertility

a. Lowered fertility between subspecies
b. Noninterbreeding subspecies within the same area
c. Impaired interbreeding on a morphological basis
d. Impaired fertility due to chromosomal differences

B. Isolation

1. The species

A. The good species
B. The border cases
C. Species formation compared to subspecific variation

1. Conclusions

IV. MACROEVOLUTION

1. Chromosomes and genes

A. General
B. Chromosom al races and species
C. Interpretation

1. Macroevolution and micromutation
2. The reaction system

A. Reaction systems and genes
B. Reaction systems versus genic balance

1. Pattern effect and systemic mutation
2. Evolution and the potentialities of development

A. The no rm of reactivity and its range

a. Examples
b. Experimental analysis
c. Mutants and phenocopies
d. Norm of reactivity and hormones
e. Norm of reactivity and regulation
f. The sexual norm of reactivity

B. Mutati on affecting early development

a. Growth and form
b. Homoeosis and segmentation
c. Rudimentation
d. The hopeful monster

C. A few facts from botany and paleontology

V. CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX