Work

The role of internal and external constructive processes in evolution

Year: 2014

Type: review

Abstract: The architects of the Modern Synthesis viewed development as an unfolding of a form already latent in the genes. However, developing organisms play a far more active, constructive role in both their own development and their evolution than the Modern Synthesis proclaims. Here we outline what is meant by constructive processes in development and evolution, emphasizing how constructive development is a shared feature of many of the research developments central to the developing Extended Evolutionary Synthesis. Our article draws out the parallels between constructive physiological processes expressed internally and in the external environment (niche construction), showing how in each case they play important and not fully recognized evolutionary roles by modifying and biasing natural selection.

Source: The Journal of Physiology

DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2014.272070

Authors: Kevin Laland, John Odling‐Smee, Scott Turner

Institutions: University of St Andrews, University of Oxford, State University of New York

Language: English

Topic: Philosophy and History of Science

Subfield: History and Philosophy of Science

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: European Research Council

OpenAlex ID: W2168123404

FWCI: 4.977

Cites: 98

Cited by: 38

Related to: 10