Improbable destinies : fate, chance, and the future of evolution
(Book)
Author
Contributors
Peterson, Marlin, illustrator.
Published
New York : Riverhead Books, 2017.
ISBN
0399184929, 9780399184925
Physical Desc
xv, 368 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
Status
Adult Nonfiction (3rd floor)
NF 576.8 LOSOS 2017
1 available
NF 576.8 LOSOS 2017
1 available
Description
Loading Description...
Also in this Series
Checking series information...
Copies
Location | Call Number | Status |
---|---|---|
Adult Nonfiction (3rd floor) | NF 576.8 LOSOS 2017 | On Shelf |
More Details
Published
New York : Riverhead Books, 2017.
Format
Book
Language
English
ISBN
0399184929, 9780399184925
Notes
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Description
Earth’s natural history is full of fascinating instances of convergence: phenomena like eyes and wings and tree-climbing lizards that have evolved independently, multiple times. But evolutionary biologists also point out many examples of contingency, cases where the tiniest change—a random mutation or an ancient butterfly sneeze—caused evolution to take a completely different course. What role does each force really play in the constantly changing natural world? Are the plants and animals that exist today, and we humans ourselves, inevitabilities or evolutionary flukes? And what does that say about life on other planets? Jonathan Losos reveals what the latest breakthroughs in evolutionary biology can tell us about one of the greatest ongoing debates in science. He takes us around the globe to meet the researchers who are solving the deepest mysteries of life on Earth through their work in experimental evolutionary science. Losos himself is one of the leaders in this exciting new field, and he illustrates how experiments with guppies, fruit flies, bacteria, foxes, and field mice, along with his own work with anole lizards on Caribbean islands, are rewinding the tape of life to reveal just how rapid and predictable evolution can be. Improbable Destinies will change the way we think and talk about evolution. Losos's insights into natural selection and evolutionary change have far-reaching applications for protecting ecosystems, securing our food supply, and fighting off harmful viruses and bacteria.
Action
2017-09-06,SB
Reviews from GoodReads
Loading GoodReads Reviews.
Citations
APA Citation, 7th Edition (style guide)
Losos, J. B., & Peterson, M. (2017). Improbable destinies: fate, chance, and the future of evolution . Riverhead Books.
Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)Losos, Jonathan B. and Marlin, Peterson. 2017. Improbable Destinies: Fate, Chance, and the Future of Evolution. Riverhead Books.
Chicago / Turabian - Humanities (Notes and Bibliography) Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)Losos, Jonathan B. and Marlin, Peterson. Improbable Destinies: Fate, Chance, and the Future of Evolution Riverhead Books, 2017.
MLA Citation, 9th Edition (style guide)Losos, Jonathan B.,, and Marlin Peterson. Improbable Destinies: Fate, Chance, and the Future of Evolution Riverhead Books, 2017.
Note! Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy. Citation formats are based on standards as of August 2021.