An Introduction to Biological Evolution

About this book

This book offers an introduction to the principles and significance of Darwinian evolution. It differs from most other textbooks on evolution in three fundamental ways: first, it is intended for students taking evolution early in their studies. Second, it examines the intellectual significance of Darwinian evolution. Third, the text departs from the standard treatment of evolution in other textbooks, wherein the arguments are reductionist, molecular, and overwhelmingly genetic in emphasis. Ken Kardong, also author of "Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution", is known for his accessible writing style. His almost conversational approach to this topic puts the reader at ease while learning evolutionary concepts. The result is an inviting book - that will be read.

Contents

Chapter 1 Evolution of Evolution. Chapter 2 Time. Chapter 3 Heredity. Chapter 4 Emergence of Life. Chapter 5 Diversity of Life. Chapter 6 Evidence of Evolution. Chapter 7 Selection Chapter 8 Variation:Spice of Life. Chapter 9 Speciation. Chapter 10 Coevolution. Chapter 11 Life History Strategies. Chapter 12 Life in Groups. Chapter 13 Extinction. Chapter 14 Human Evolution: The Early Years. Chapter 15 Human Evolution: Building Modern Humans. Chapter 16 Evolutionary Biology: Today and Beyond. Appendix 1 Events: Dawn of Time. Appendix 2 Cell Division. Appendix 3 Dendrograms.

Customer Reviews

Biography

Ken Kardong is a professor in the zoology department at Washington State University, Pullman, WA. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois and his MS and BA from the University of Washington. In addition to teaching comparative anatomy and evolution, Ken is also involved in developing software programs for use in the laboratory sections of these courses.