Evolution

Evolution is the single unifying principle of biology and core to everything in the life sciences. More than a century of work by scientists from across the biological spectrum has produced a detailed history of life across the phyla and explained the mechanisms by which new species form.

This textbook covers both this history and the mechanisms of speciation; it also aims to provide students with the background needed to read the research literature on evolution. Students will therefore learn about cladistics, molecular phylogenies, the molecular-genetical basis of evolutionary change including the important role of protein networks, symbionts and holobionts, together with the core principles of developmental biology. The book also includes introductory appendices that provide background knowledge on, for example, the diversity of life today, fossils, the geology of Earth and the history of evolutionary thought.

Key Features

• Summarizes the origins of life and the evolution of the eukaryotic cell and of Urbilateria, the last common ancestor of invertebrates and vertebrates.


• Reviews the history of life across the phyla based on the fossil record and computational phylogenetics.


• Explains evo-devo and the generation of anatomical novelties.


• Illustrates the roles of small populations, genetic drift, mutation and selection in speciation.


• Documents human evolution using the fossil record and evidence of dispersal across the world leading to the emergence of modern humans.

"Evolution unifies biology, and this is a book that unifies evolution. This glorious book celebrates both the developmental origins and the natural selection of organismal diversity. It sets a new standard for Evolutionary Biology textbooks, maintaining its focus on actual organisms, while synthesizing the genetic bases of selection and adaptation with cladistics, developmental biology, paleontology, symbiotic networks, and systems theory. Everyone reading this well-written and meticulously researched book will gain a greater amazement for the world we inhabit."
 - Scott F. Gilbert (Swarthmore College)

"? the subject matter is well explained and easy to read. ? the "History of Life" section maps major diversification events with crucial ancestors in 8 chapters, starting with a fresh look at the first two billion years of evolution. ? seven chapters meticulously analyze the rise of eukaryotic complexity. Chapters always interface the fossil record with evidence from a wide range of fields, including cladistics, anatomy, physiology, development, molecular biology, and genomics. Origins and relationships of lines of descent that are considered in a state of flux are appropriately recognized and fossil records that are thin are explicitly recognized. All chapters are beautifully illustrated. [This book] represents a laudable and significant effort of integration and synthesis of knowledge in disparate fields. It informs both the scientist and the public about evolutionary thinking and the history life. There is ample need to rally the scientists and educate the public about the importance of evolution ? Bard?s wonderful book accomplishes the task."

 - Gustavo Caetano-Anollés in BioEssays

"? there is a real emphasis on genomics, developmental biology, and systems biology which gives the book a very current perspective, and it is informed throughout by a very scholarly discussion of the latest developments.

? introductory section that includes a very readable overview of the history of evolutionary thought, reminding us that modern evolutionary biology has no monopoly on character assassinations, large egos, and visceral disagreements. As well as being interesting and well-informed, it is tremendous fun.

As ever, the scholarship is very up to date, and the discussion also makes time for some of the wonderful scientific curiosities and speculations that frequently illuminate the field of early animal evolution.

? a superb account of human evolutionary history that was a pleasure to read.

Altogether, Evolution is a fine addition to the bookshelf that does an excellent and very scholarly job of surveying modern evolutionary biology. The book will appeal to undergraduate and postgraduate evolutionary biology students, but also to students of anthropology and medicine (I hope even some of my own). A thoroughly informative and enjoyable read."

 - Thomas Butts in Journal of Anatomy Sept 2022