Improbable destinies : fate, chance, and the future of evolution
(Book)

Book Cover
Average Rating
Contributors
Peterson, Marlin, illustrator.
Published
New York : Riverhead Books, 2017.
Physical Desc
xv, 368 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
Status
Main Level - Nonfiction
576.8 LOSOS
1 available

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Main Level - Nonfiction576.8 LOSOSOn Shelf

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Published
New York : Riverhead Books, 2017.
Format
Book
Language
English

Notes

Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 343-353) and index.
Description
A Harvard museum curator draws on the latest breakthroughs in evolutionary biology to examine how tiny, random convergences, from mutations to butterfly sneezes, have triggered remarkable evolutionary changes.
Description
"Earth's natural history is full of fascinating instances of convergence: phenomena like eyes and wings and tree-climbing lizards that have evolved independently, multiple times. But evolutionary biologists also point out many examples of contingency, cases where the tiniest change--a random mutation or an ancient butterfly sneeze--caused evolution to take a completely different course. What role does each force really play in the constantly changing natural world? Are the plants and animals that exist today, and we humans ourselves, inevitabilities or evolutionary flukes? And what does that say about life on other planets? Jonathan Losos reveals what the latest breakthroughs in evolutionary biology can tell us about one of the greatest ongoing debates in science. He takes us around the globe to meet the researchers who are solving the deepest mysteries of life on Earth through their work in experimental evolutionary science. Losos himself is one of the leaders in this exciting new field, and he illustrates how experiments with guppies, fruit flies, bacteria, foxes, and field mice, along with his own work with anole lizards on Caribbean islands, are rewinding the tape of life to reveal just how rapid and predictable evolution can be. Improbable Destinies will change the way we think and talk about evolution. Losos's insights into natural selection and evolutionary change have far-reaching applications for protecting ecosystems, securing our food supply, and fighting off harmful viruses and bacteria. This compelling narrative offers a new understanding of ourselves and our role in the natural world and the cosmos."--Jacket.

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Citations

APA Citation, 7th Edition (style guide)

Losos, J. B., & Peterson, M. (2017). Improbable destinies: fate, chance, and the future of evolution . Riverhead Books.

Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)

Losos, Jonathan B and Marlin, Peterson. 2017. Improbable Destinies: Fate, Chance, and the Future of Evolution. Riverhead Books.

Chicago / Turabian - Humanities (Notes and Bibliography) Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)

Losos, Jonathan B and Marlin, Peterson. Improbable Destinies: Fate, Chance, and the Future of Evolution Riverhead Books, 2017.

MLA Citation, 9th Edition (style guide)

Losos, Jonathan B., and Marlin Peterson. Improbable Destinies: Fate, Chance, and the Future of Evolution Riverhead Books, 2017.

Note! Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy. Citation formats are based on standards as of August 2021.