Convergent Evolution

Vincent Bels was born in Verviers, Belgium. He completed his PhD at the University of Liege on the topic of behavioural ritualization. Currently, Professor at the Museum national d'Histoire naturelle de Paris (France), he investigates the evolution of feeding, drinking, locomotion, and display behaviors in vertebrates. His main objective is the integration of behavioral and functional studies to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the "Form-Function" complex as it relates to the evolution of organisms. Anthony Patrick Russell was born in London, UK. He completed his PhD at the University of London in the area of functional anatomy. As a Professor at the University of Calgary he has authored over 300 peer-reviewed scientific articles, 19 chapters, and three books. The continuing focus of his research has been the structure, function and evolution of geckos. Outside the University he has served as President of the Canadian Society of Zoologists, and President of the International Society of Vertebrate Morphologists.

The Concept of Convergent Evolution and Its Relationship to the Understanding of Form and Function.- Odonatopteran Approaches to the Challenges of Flight: Convergence of Responses Subject to a Common Set of Morphological Constraints.- Digging Up Convergence in Fossorial Rodents: Insights into Burrowing Activity and Morpho-Functional Specializations of the Masticatory Apparatus.- Testing for Convergent Evolution in Baleen Whale Cochleae.- The Sacro-Iliac Joint of the Felidae and Canidae and Their Large Ungulate Prey: An Example of Divergence and Convergence.- Aquatic Feeding in Lissamphibia.- Convergence of Aquatic Feeding Modes in the Sauropsida (Crocodiles, Birds, Lizards, Snakes And, Turtles).- Convergent Evolution of Secondarily Aquatic Feeding in Mammals.- Solutions to a Sticky Problem: Convergence of the Adhesive Systems of Geckos and Anoles (Reptilia: Squamata).- Convergent Evolution of Animal Adhesive Pads.- Convergence of Arboreal Locomotor Specialization: Morphological andBehavioral Solutions for Movement on Narrow and Compliant Supports.- Convergent Evolution of Manual and Pedal Grasping Capabilities in Tetrapods.- Convergence in Gliding Animals: Morphology, Behavior, and Mechanics.- Convergence of Bipedal Locomotion: Why Walk or Run on Only Two Legs.- Aquatic Locomotion: Environmental Constraints That Drive Convergent Evolution.- Convergent Evolution of Attachment Mechanisms in Aquatic Animals.- Convergent Evolution: Theory and Practice for Bioinspiration.- Conclusion and Perspectives: What Convergent Evolution of Animal Forms and Functions Says About the Predictability of Evolution.