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Cited by 10,175Evolution and Paleontology StudiesEvolution and Genetic DynamicsPhilosophy and History of Science

Animal Species and Evolution

Mayr, Ernst·1963·Harvard University Press eBooks
DOI 10.4159/harvard.9780674865327
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Abstract

This masterly and long-awaited work is a full exposition, synthesis, summation, and critical evaluation of the present state of man’s knowledge about the nature of animal species and of the part they play in the processes of evolution. In a series of twenty chapters, Ernst Mayr presents a consecutive story, beginning with a description of evolutionary biology and ending with a discussion of man as a biological species. Calling attention to unsolved problems, and relating the evolutionary subject matter to appropriate material from other fields, such as physiology, genetics, and biochemistry, the author integrates and interprets existing data. Believing that an unequivocal stand is more likely to produce constructive criticism than evasion of an issue, he does not hesitate to choose that interpretation of a controversial matter which to him seems most consistent with the emerging picture of the evolutionary process. Between the terminal points mentioned above, Mr. Mayr pursues the narrative through discussions of species concepts and their application, morphological species characters and sibling species, biological properties of species, isolating mechanisms, hybridization, the variation and genetics of populations, storage and protection of genetic variation, the unity of the genotype, geographic variation, the polytypic species of the taxonomist, the population structure of species, kinds of species, multiplication of species, geographic speciation, the genetics of speciation, the ecology of speciation, and species and transpecific evolution. The volume provides a valuable glossary; and an inclusive bibliography greatly extends its range for those who wish to investigate special aspects of the material. Animal Species and Evolution is presented as a permanent entity. In accordance with the author’s feeling that the acquisition of new knowledge will require a new statement, rather than an emendation of a previous one, no substantive revisions of this volume are planned for future printings. Because of the impossibility of experimenting with man, and because an understanding of man’s biology is indispensable for safeguarding his future, emphasis throughout this book is placed on those findings from the higher animals which are directly applicable to man. In his final chapter on hominids and the various forms of Homo , Mr. Mayr comes to the conclusion that, while modern man appears to be just as well adapted for survival purposes as were his ancestors, there is much evidence to suggest that he is threatened by the loss of his most typically human characteristics. It would be within his power to reverse this tendency.

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  • Intra- and interspecific comparisons of bird taxa suggest relatively larger wings at higher altitudes.

    “Intra-and interspecific comparisons of bird taxa suggest relatively larger wings at higher altitudes”

    From The physiology and biomechanics of avian flight at high altitude (2006) · cites this paper as Mayr, 1963

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Authors
Mayr, E.
Corresponding author
Mayr, Ernst
Venue
Harvard University Press eBooks
Publisher
Harvard University Press
Published
1963-12-31
DOI
10.4159/harvard.9780674865327
OpenAlex
W2007993714
Cited by
10,175
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 90 · 2025: 187 · 2024: 195 · 2023: 198 · 2022: 231 · 2021: 230 · 2020: 212 · 2019: 274 · 2018: 182 · 2017: 230 · 2016: 264 · 2015: 248 · 2014: 270 · 2013: 275 · 2012: 271
FWCI
59.77
Type
book
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Harvard University Press eBooks (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Evolution and Paleontology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Philosophy and History of Science
Keywords
animal species, species concept, speciation, reproductive barriers, hybridization, genetic variation, population genetics, regional variation, polytypic species, human evolution, Hominidae, human uniqueness, evolutionary biology

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