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Table of Contents
1. Introduction. Why study evolution? ; The map of evolution ; Pillars of evolution
2. Mechanics. Overview ; Introduction: the scale of mechanism ; Random change ; Systematic change ; Quantitative inheritance: a full understanding of mechanics must include an assessment of polygenic traits ; Interactions among genes and traits: trade-offs and constraints shackle adaptive evolution ; Plasticity: malleable responses are adaptive solutions to varying environments ; A challenge to the genetical theory of adaptive evolution: can developmental and behavioural plasticity force genes to follow traits? ; Mechanics of population growth and decline ; The limits of mechanics: mechanics, though essential, is an insufficient explanation for evolution ; Reflection
3. Function Overview. Introduction: where traits meet the environment ; The fitness-mapping function ; Fitness sets and the fitness-generating function ; The adaptive function ; Mappings ; Multiple traits ; Optimal trait values ; Reflection
4. Structure. Overview ; Introduction: mapping trails onto fitness ; Traits and function ; Traits, states, and strategies ; Optimization ; Constraints and reinforcement ; Structure at different scales ; The structure matrix ; Where traits fail to map onto function ; Reflection
5. Scale. Overview ; Introduction: backward-looking adaptation ; Shortcuts in modelling evolution ; Size and allometry ; Grain: how the scale of environment influences evolution ; Multi-level adaptation ; Prescriptions: avoiding the fallacies of simplicity and complexity ; Reflection
6. Dynamics. Overview ; Introduction ; Growth and decline ; Density dependence and demography ; Adaptive dynamics and the G-function ; The adaptive landscape ; Evolutionary branching ; Red Queen dynamics ; Spatial dynamics ; Bet-hedging ; Trophic interactions ; Reflection
7. Adaptation. Overview ; Introduction: explanations for life ; The possible, the ephemeral, and the feasible ; Epiphenomena: where are the trees? ; Maladaptation: lost expectations or promised success? ; Reflection: the thread of evolution.
2. Mechanics. Overview ; Introduction: the scale of mechanism ; Random change ; Systematic change ; Quantitative inheritance: a full understanding of mechanics must include an assessment of polygenic traits ; Interactions among genes and traits: trade-offs and constraints shackle adaptive evolution ; Plasticity: malleable responses are adaptive solutions to varying environments ; A challenge to the genetical theory of adaptive evolution: can developmental and behavioural plasticity force genes to follow traits? ; Mechanics of population growth and decline ; The limits of mechanics: mechanics, though essential, is an insufficient explanation for evolution ; Reflection
3. Function Overview. Introduction: where traits meet the environment ; The fitness-mapping function ; Fitness sets and the fitness-generating function ; The adaptive function ; Mappings ; Multiple traits ; Optimal trait values ; Reflection
4. Structure. Overview ; Introduction: mapping trails onto fitness ; Traits and function ; Traits, states, and strategies ; Optimization ; Constraints and reinforcement ; Structure at different scales ; The structure matrix ; Where traits fail to map onto function ; Reflection
5. Scale. Overview ; Introduction: backward-looking adaptation ; Shortcuts in modelling evolution ; Size and allometry ; Grain: how the scale of environment influences evolution ; Multi-level adaptation ; Prescriptions: avoiding the fallacies of simplicity and complexity ; Reflection
6. Dynamics. Overview ; Introduction ; Growth and decline ; Density dependence and demography ; Adaptive dynamics and the G-function ; The adaptive landscape ; Evolutionary branching ; Red Queen dynamics ; Spatial dynamics ; Bet-hedging ; Trophic interactions ; Reflection
7. Adaptation. Overview ; Introduction: explanations for life ; The possible, the ephemeral, and the feasible ; Epiphenomena: where are the trees? ; Maladaptation: lost expectations or promised success? ; Reflection: the thread of evolution.