Heterochrony, disparity, and macroevolution

McNamara, K. J. and McKinney, M. L. (2005) Heterochrony, disparity, and macroevolution. Paleobiology, 31 (2). pp. 17-26. ISSN 0094-8373 DOI 10.1666/0094-8373(2005)031[0017:HDAM]2.0.CO;2

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Abstract

The concept of heterochrony has long had a central place in evolutionary theory. During their long history, heterochrony and several associated concepts such as paedomorphosis and neoteny have often been contentious and they continue to be criticized. Despite these criticisms, we review many examples showing that heterochrony and its associated concepts are increasingly cited and used in many areas of evolutionary study. Furthermore, major strides are being made in our understanding of the underlying genetic and developmental mechanisms of heterochrony, and in the methods used to describe heterochronic changes. A general theme of this accumulating research is that some of the simplistic notions of heterochrony, such as terminal addition, simple rate genes, and "pure" heterochronic categories are invalid. However, this research also shows that a more sophisticated view of the hierarchical nature of heterochrony provides many useful insights and improves our understanding of how ontogenetic changes are translated into phylogenetic changes.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Suppl. S
Uncontrolled Keywords:	NIL AREP 2005 P
Subjects:	04 - Palaeobiology
Divisions:	04 - Palaeobiology
Journal or Publication Title:	Paleobiology
Volume:	31
Page Range:	pp. 17-26
Identification Number:	10.1666/0094-8373(2005)031[0017:HDAM]2.0.CO;2
Depositing User:	Sarah Humbert
Date Deposited:	22 Dec 2010 17:05
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2013 09:59
URI:	http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/1746

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