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Evolutionary morphology and Evo-devo: hierarchy and novelty.

¹Department of Philosophy, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA. aclove@ucsc.edu

Theory in Biosciences = Theorie in Den Biowissenschaften

|October 19, 2006

Summary

Morphology is crucial for evolutionary developmental biology (Evo-devo), helping identify evolutionary innovations and understand causal interactions across biological levels. This highlights morphology's key roles in explaining evolutionary novelty.

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Developmental Biology
Philosophy of Science

Background:

The Modern Synthesis, while foundational, did not fully integrate multiple levels of biological organization.
Evolutionary developmental biology (Evo-devo) investigates the origins of evolutionary innovations and novelties.
The role of morphology in evolutionary theory is a subject of ongoing discussion.

Observation:

Historical analysis reveals that morphology's contributions to evolutionary theory have been historically underappreciated.
Evo-devo research requires a framework that incorporates multiple levels of biological organization.
Morphology plays a dual role in Evo-devo: defining explanatory targets and elucidating causal pathways.

Findings:

Morphology is essential for conceptualizing and identifying the targets of evolutionary explanations.
Morphological investigation illuminates causal interactions at higher organizational levels during ontogeny and evolution.
These roles are critical for explaining evolutionary innovation and novelty within Evo-devo.

Implications:

The study emphasizes the necessity of integrating morphological data into evolutionary explanations.
It prompts a re-evaluation of what constitutes an evolutionary cause in contemporary biology.
Recognizing morphology's roles enhances our understanding of evolutionary novelty and innovation.