Evolution

by Rogel, Jean-pierre; Spencer, Nigel

• ISBN13: 9781553801047
• ISBN10: 1553801040
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-10-09
• Publisher: Ronsdale Pr

Summary

Literary Nonfiction. Natural History. Translated from the French by Nigel Spencer. With all the attention given to "creationism" in the news these days, Jean-Pierre Rogel felt it was important to show how Darwin's concept of natural selection can be seen in action in everyday situations. Beginning with a familiar cottage scene that includes squirrels, loons, salmon and bears, Rogel expands his scope to explore the emerging field of evolutionary developmental biology, showing how genes play a role in the extraordinary diversity of the plant and animal kingdom. Readers may be surprised to discover which animal is most closely related to whales, how nature makes a fin into a paw, how salmon have adapted to gaps in fishing nets, and what really sets humans apart from chimpanzees.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
Connected by an Invisible Thread
ôMystery of Mysteriesö: The View from the Cottage	p. 9
The Tree of Life and the Two ôDös	p. 21
And What's Your Bar Code?	p. 32
Hippos in the St. Lawrence	p. 39
All Parts Included: Some Assembly Required
The Fly and the Butterfly Tell All	p. 55
Of Finches and Their Beaks	p. 65
Stuck in the Mud and How to Get Out in under 10 Million Years	p. 74
The Thumb and the Baby Panda	p. 83
A Very Brainy Animal	p. 89
When Humans Interfere with Evolution
Parasites in High Gear	p. 101
Salmon under the Influence	p. 108
Mr. O'Connor's Stubborn Struggle	p. 116
Avatars of the White Bear	p. 125
Sign of the Loon	p. 133
Calendar of life	p. 145
Glossary	p. 147
Notes	p. 153
Bibliography	p. 157
About the Author & Translator	p. 161
Index	p. 163
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