This book is the first of its kind, providing in-depth analysis of the retrograde evolution occurring during major extinction periods. The text offers a non-strictly adaptative explanation of repetition of phyla after the major extinctions, utilizing a study of seven phylogenetically distinct groups. This opens a new experimental field in evolutionary biology with the possibility of reconstructing ancestral forms in lab by applying artificial stresses.
Encyclopedia of Geology, Second Edition presents in six volumes state-of-the-art reviews on the various aspects of geologic research, all of which have moved on considerably since the writing of the first edition. New areas of discussion include extinctions, origins of life, plate tectonics and its influence on faunal provinces, new types of mineral and hydrocarbon deposits, new methods of dating rocks, and geological processes. Users will find this to be a fundamental resource for teachers and students of geology, as well as researchers and non-geology professionals seeking up-to-date reviews of geologic research. Provides a comprehensive and accessible one-stop shop for information on the subject of geology, explaining methodologies and technical jargon used in the field Highlights connections between geology and other physical and biological sciences, tackling research problems that span multiple fields Fills a critical gap of information in a field that has seen significant progress in past years Presents an ideal reference for a wide range of scientists in earth and environmental areas of study
It is widely acknowledged that life has adapted to its environment, but the precise mechanism remains unknown since Natural Selection, Descent with Modification and Survival of the Fittest are metaphors that cannot be scientifically tested. In this unique text, invertebrate and vertebrate biologists illuminate the effects of physiologic stress on epigenetic responses in the process of evolutionary adaptation from unicellular organisms to invertebrates and vertebrates, respectively. This book offers a novel perspective on the mechanisms underlying evolution. Capacities for morphologic alterations and epigenetic adaptations subject to environmental stresses are demonstrated in both unicellular and multicellular organisms. Furthermore, the underlying cellular-molecular mechanisms that mediate stress for adaptation will be elucidated wherever possible. These include examples of ‘reverse evolution’ by Professor Guex for Ammonites and for mammals by Professor Torday and Dr. Miller. This provides empiric evidence that the conventional way of thinking about evolution as unidirectional is incorrect, leaving open the possibility that it is determined by cell-cell interactions, not sexual selection and reproductive strategy. Rather, the process of evolution can be productively traced through the conservation of an identifiable set of First Principles of Physiology that began with the unicellular form and have been consistently maintained, as reflected by the return to the unicellular state over the course of the life cycle.
This volume presents the latest science on all significant geological and paleontological aspects of the Earth during the Late Triassic Period. Rather than presenting a collection of narrowly focused research papers, the volume consists of a series of peer-reviewed chapters on specific aspects of the Late Triassic world (e.g., tectonics, magmatism, paleobotany, climate, etc.), all authored by experts in the subject of their respective chapters. Each chapter reviews and summarizes the latest findings in these fields and also includes a review of the pertinent literature. The author list is very broadly international and forms a veritable who’s who of expertise in these fields. The book is loosely organized to present the physical aspects of Earth during the Late Triassic at the outset, followed by the paleontological aspects. The latter section is further organized to present the record of the marine environment first before moving onto land, with fauna followed by flora. The volume closes with a review of the end-Triassic extinctions.
There has been no mechanistic explanation for evolutionary change consistent with phylogeny in the 150 years since the publication of ‘Origins’. As a result, progress in the field of evolutionary biology has stagnated, relying on descriptive observations and genetic associations rather testable scientific measures. This book illuminates the need for a larger evolutionary-based platform for biology. Like physics and chemistry, biology needs a central theory in order to frame the questions that arise, the way hypotheses are tested, and how to interpret the data in the context of a continuum.The reduction of biology to its self-referential, self-organized properties provides the opportunity to recognize the continuum from the Singularity/Big Bang to Consciousness based on cell-cell communication for homeostasis.
Advances in Sequence Stratigraphy, Volume Two covers current research across a wide range of stratigraphic disciplines, providing information on the most recent developments for the geoscientific research community. Chapters in this volume include Sequence Stratigraphy – Oman, Sequence Stratigraphy and diagenesis, Sequence Stratigraphy of Siliciclastic Systems, Upper Devonian Biostratigraphy, Event Stratigraphy and Late Fransian Kellwasser Extinction Bio-events in the Iowa Basin: Western Euramerica, Sea-level change and Sequence Stratigraphy, Sequence Stratigraphy: A Material-based Approach Versus A Time-Based Approach, and Anisian-Ladinian marker horizon: Implications for sequence stratigraphy and intra-tethyan correlation. This fully commissioned review publication aims to foster and convey progress in stratigraphy, including geochronology, magnetostratigraphy, lithostratigraphy, event-stratigraphy, isotope stratigraphy, astrochronology, climatostratigraphy, seismic stratigraphy, biostratigraphy, ice core chronology, cyclostratigraphy, palaeoceanography, sequence stratigraphy, and more. - Contains contributions from leading authorities in the field - Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field - Aims to foster and convey progress in stratigraphy, including geochronology, magnetostratigraphy, lithostratigraphy, event-stratigraphy, and more
This volume brings together state-of-the-art reviews of the non-biostratigraphic and biostratigraphic data that are used to define and correlate Permian time intervals. It includes analyses of Permian radio-isotopic ages, magnetostratigraphy, isotope-based stratigraphy and timescale-relevant biostratigraphy. It is the first book devoted to this subject and represents the cutting edge of Permian time-scale research.
Cognition-Based Evolution is the first comprehensive alternative to 20th-century Neodarwinism, proposing a radical 21st-century evolutionary framework with a novel point of origination: all cells are intelligent and must measure uncertain environmental information to sustain themselves. In Cognition-Based Evolution, life is defined by cognition. From this differential stance, evolutionary biology transforms into the science of why, how, what, and with whom cells measure and communicate under stressful environmental conditions. Life's context is uncertain environmental information, communication is its means, and genes are its tools. Evolution is its yield as continuous non-random self-referential cellular problem-solving.
Diverse specialised neuroglial cells guarantee the development, preservation, and health of the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, the enteric nervous system, and the special senses. In the central nervous system, it is the astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia that safeguard nerve cell function and integrity that controls all behaviours and encompasses the cerebral cortex of the brain which is the root of humanity. In the peripheral nervous system, Schwann cells play the leading role, together with satellite glial cells of the sensory and autonomic ganglia, ensuring correct communication between the organs and tissues with the brain and the spinal cord. In the enteric nervous system, specialised enteric glial cells maintain all aspects of gastrointestinal function. Then there are distinctive glial cells of the special senses that ensure how the body perceives and reacts to its environment. In pathology, neuroglia strive to protect the diverse cellular components of the nervous system and are responsible for a proactive programme of posttraumatic restructuring that is aimed at recovery of life-sustaining function. Neuroglia: Function and Pathology provides a highly original and comprehensive account of the physiology and pathophysiology of glial cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The first part of the book provides a far-reaching description of glial cell form and function, from their evolution in invertebrates to their complexity in humans, encompassing the developmental origin of the varied glial cell types and their diversity of morphology, molecular biology and cellular physiology. The second part of the book is devoted to an all-embracing evaluation of glial cell pathophysiology, commencing with definitive explanations of the fundamental pathologies of the main glial cell types, and ending in a systematic examination of glial contributions to specific neurological diseases. This book emphasises the central roles played by the different classes of neuroglial cells in the progression and outcome of neurological disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems and highlights potential of glial cells as therapeutic targets. The book contains more than 2500 key references from over 150 years of glial research and is superbly illustrated with over 350 original and explanatory full colour figures that describe the diverse characteristics and properties of glial cells in health and disease. Under the same cover, this book combines an authoritative reference book for research and clinical neuroscientists and at the same time serves as an instructive textbook for students of neuroscience, from undergraduates to postgraduates. - Single volume covering key aspects of glial cell physiology and pathology - In depth overview of the history of glial cell research - Comprehensive review of glial cell physiology and pathology - Authoritative special chapters on the major neurological diseases - Full colour throughout, with 360 illustrations
The Singularity of Nature: A Convergence of Biology, Chemistry and Physics takes a systems-based approach to the origin and evolution of complex life. Readers will gain a novel understanding of physiologic evolution and the limits to our current understanding.
