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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Published on: January 19, 2018

Organisms in evolution.

Johannes Martens¹

¹Paris 1 Sorbonne-University, 13 rue du Four, 75006 Paris, France.

History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences

|December 18, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study proposes a new evolutionary definition for organisms as units with divided reproductive labor, including colonial superorganisms. Physiology is then introduced to practically individuate these evolutionary units in ecological contexts.

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Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat

Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat

Published on: September 20, 2016

Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Theoretical biology
Ecology

Background:

Organisms are central to biology but lack a clear evolutionary definition.
Existing evolutionary theory has not adequately characterized the concept of an organism.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a theoretically grounded definition of an organism within evolutionary theory.
To explore the implications of this definition for understanding individuality and superorganisms.
To identify practical criteria for individuating organisms and superorganisms.

Main Methods:

Analysis of the theory of major evolutionary transitions.
Proposing a definition of organisms as evolutionary units with reproductive division of labor.
Discussion of physiological criteria for individuation in ecological space.

Main Results:

Organisms are characterized as evolutionary units with parts specialized for reproduction.
Colonial entities can be classified as superorganisms based on this definition.
Physiology provides practical, though imperfect, criteria for individuating organisms and superorganisms.

Conclusions:

A new evolutionary framework defines organisms by reproductive division of labor.
Physiological criteria aid in ecological individuation of organisms and superorganisms.
These criteria highlight the ecological significance of organisms.