Molds, Molecules, and Metazoa

Exploring topics of contemporary interest in evolutionary biology, this volume contains a series of essays ranging in scope from macroevolutionary patterns in the Precambrian period to molecular evolution of the genome.

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Through an integration of systematics, genetics and related disciplines, the modern synthesis of evolutionary biology came into being over 50 years ago. Knowledge of evolution has since been transformed by several revolutions: the way we interpret the fossil record has been radically affected by theories of continental drift and asteroid impacts; the way we classify organisms has been influenced by the development of cladistics. Perhaps the most dramatic revolution has been the exposition in molecular biology of information about the genome. Aiming to capture advances in modern evolutionary biology, six prominent scientists here explore important issues and problems in their areas of specialization and identify the most promising directions of future research. The scope of this volume ranges from macroevolutionary patterns in the Precambrian period to molecular evolution of the genome. Major themes include the origin and maintenance of variation and the causes of evolutionary change.