Olivier Rieppel, a prominent curator at the Field Museum in Chicago, explores the fascinating evolution of turtles in his work. He delves into the concept of "hopeful monsters," analyzing how these creatures have adapted over time. The book offers insights into the origins of turtles, shedding light on their evolutionary journey and significance in the broader context of biology.
Evolutionary theory addresses the phenomenon of the origin and diversity of plant and animal species that we observe. In recent times, however, it has become a predominant ideology which has gained currency far beyond its original confines. Attempts to understand the origin and historical development of human culture, civilization and language, of the powers of human cognition, and even the origin of the moral and ethical values guiding and constraining everyday life in human societies are now cast in an evolutionary context. In “Evolutionary Theory and the Creation Controversy” the author examines evolutionary theory from a historical perspective, explaining underlying metaphysical backgrounds and fundamental philosophical questions such as the paradoxical problem of change, existence and creation. He introduces the scientists involved, their research results and theories, and discusses the evolution of evolutionary theory against the background of Creationism and Intelligent Design.
Focusing on the evolution of comparative biology, the book explores how Darwin's theories influenced the field, particularly through Ernst Haeckel's acceptance of these ideas. It traces the development of evolutionary concepts over a century, culminating in the emergence of Phylogenetic Systematics, highlighted by Willi Hennig's contributions. This synthesis offers a comprehensive chronicle of the evolution of biological classification and the interplay of ideas that shaped modern systematics.
The book is a reproduction of a culturally significant original artifact, preserved to maintain its historical integrity. It includes original copyright references and library stamps, highlighting its importance in the context of civilization's knowledge base. This careful reproduction allows readers to connect with the work's historical and scholarly significance, making it a valuable addition to any collection.
Olivier Rieppel, a prominent figure in evolutionary biology, serves as the Rowe Family Curator at the Field Museum in Chicago. His extensive contributions to the field include over 350 scientific papers and eight published books, alongside his role on the editorial boards of various peer-reviewed journals. His work highlights significant advancements in understanding evolutionary processes and the history of life on Earth.
The book explores the classification and phylogeny of various lizard families, focusing on their head musculature and skull structures. It begins with an abstract and outlines the methods used for classification, addressing terminology issues and the general structure of lacertilian jaw musculature. Specific sections delve into the head musculature of Gerrhonotinae, Diploglossinae, and Anguinae, highlighting patterns of variation within these groups. The evolution of the M. intermandibularis anterior in Anguidae is examined, along with a phylogenetic analysis based on head musculature.
Further sections detail the head musculature of Shinisaurus crocodilurus, Xenosaurus grandis, Anniella pulchra, Heloderma, Varanus, and Lanthanotus borneensis, assessing their phylogenetic positions. The skull structures of various families, including Anguidae, Xenosauridae, Anniellidae, Helodermatidae, Lanthanotidae, and Varanidae, are analyzed, along with the atlas-axis complex. The text concludes with a discussion on the phylogenetic relationships of Lanthanotus, an inquiry into the fossil record, and the classification of Anguinomorpha. The outlook section speculates on the origin of snakes, and the book includes acknowledgements, references, and appendices for further detail.
Olivier Rieppel, geboren 1951, studierte Zoologie und Paläontologie in Basel, London und Montreal. Nach seiner Habilitation am Paläontologischen Institut und Museum der Universität Zürich wurde er Curator of Fossil Amphibians and Reptiles am Field Museum in Chicago. Er ist Mitglied verschiedener Fachgesellschaften, Mitherausgeber wissenschaftlicher Zeitschriften und Autor zahlreicher wissenschaftlicher sowie populärwissenschaftlicher Werke. In seinem fünften Buch verfolgt er das Ziel, einen einführenden Text zur computergestützten Kladistik in deutscher Sprache zu verfassen. Dabei ist ihm aufgefallen, dass viele Missverständnisse auf die Tatsache zurückzuführen sind, dass relevante Literatur fast ausschließlich in Englisch verfasst ist. Dies hat zu einer Terminologie geführt, die eine Sprachbarriere geschaffen hat. Der Text richtet sich hauptsächlich an Studenten und hat das Ziel, diese Barriere abzubauen. Zudem wird betont, dass die Nutzung verfügbarer Computerprogramme für die phylogenetische Analyse größerer Datensätze nicht optional, sondern notwendig ist. Rieppel hofft, weit verbreitete Missverständnisse bezüglich der Terminologie, Anwendung und Darstellung der Ergebnisse einer kladistischen Analyse auszuräumen.
