Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection was based on the observation that there is variation between individuals within the same species. This fundamental observation is a central concept in evolutionary biology. However, variation is only rarely treated directly. It has remained peripheral to the study of mechanisms of evolutionary change. The explosion of knowledge in genetics, developmental biology, and the ongoing synthesis of evolutionary and developmental biology has made it possible for us to study the factors that limit, enhance, or structure variation at the level of an animals' physical appearance and behavior. Knowledge of the significance of variability is crucial to this emerging synthesis. This volume situates the role of variability within this broad framework, bringing variation back to the center of the evolutionary stage. <BR>Provides an overview of current thinking on variation in evolutionary biology, functional morphology, and evolutionary developmental biology<BR>Written by a team of leading scholars specializing on the study of variation<BR>Reviews of statistical analysis of variation by leading authorities <BR>Key chapters focus on the role of the study of phenotypic variation for evolutionary, developmental, and post-genomic biology

"...Variation: A Central Concept in Biology, is sure to spark the interest of nearly all ecologists and evolutionary biologists."

- James A. Fordyce, University of Tenessee, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, in ECOLOGY

'At last we have a book that takes a modern approach to variation in all its forms....' - Kevin Padian, University of California, Berkeley, U.S.A.

'This comprehensive, diverse and stimulating volume is a must-read for anyone interested in development and evolution.' - Daniel E. Lieberman, Harvard University, U.S.A.

'...Hallgrimsson and Halls book provides the latest views from leading scientists of diversity and form.' - Mark Pagel, University of Reading, England

'....On the whole this...will be a welcome addition to my library.' - David B. Wake, University of California, Berkeley, U.S.A.

Foreword

Chapter 1. Variation and Variability: Central Concepts in Biology

Chapter 2. Variation from Darwin to the Modern Synthesis

Chapter 3. The Statistics of Variation

Chapter 4. Landmark Morphometrics and the Analysis of Variation

Chapter 5. Variation in Ontogeny

Chapter 6. Constraints on Variation from Genotype through Phenotype to Fitness

Chapter 7. Developmental Origins of Variation

Chapter 8. Canalization, Cryptic Variation and Developmental Buffering: A Critical Examination and Analytical Perspective

Chapter 9. Mutation and Phenotypic Variation: Where is the connection Capacitators, Stressors, Phenotypic Variability and Evolutionary Change

Chapter 10. Within Individual Variation: Developmental Noise versus Developmental Stability

Chapter 11. Developmental Constraints, Modules and Evolvability

Chapter 12. Developmental Regulation of Variability

Chapter 13. Role of Stress in Evolution: From Individual Adaptability to Evolutionary Adaptation

Chapter 14. Environmentally Contingent Variation: Phenotypic Plasticity and Norms of Reaction

Chapter 15. Variation and Life History Evolution

Chapter 16. Antisymmetry

Chapter 17. Variation in Structure and its Relationship to Function: Correlation, Explanation and Extrapolation

Chapter 18. A Universal Generative Tendency Toward Increased Organismal Complexity

Chapter 19. Variation and Versatility in Macroevolution

Chapter 20. Variation and Developmental Biology: Prospects for the Future

Chapter 21. Phenogenetics: Genotypes, Phenotypes, and Variation

Chapter 22. The Study of Phenotypic Variability

Index