Review: From Embryology to Evo-Devo: A History of Developmental Evolution by Manfred Daubichler; Jane Maienschein

• Author(s) / Creator(s)

  • Brigandt, Ingo

• Introduction: The biological process of development has always served as a focal point for empirical research and conceptual reflection on organisms and life in general. Many have drawn connections between development (ontogeny) and the history of life (phylogeny). The most recent manifestation of this is evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo), currently one of the most thriving disciplines within biology. The contributions in From Embryology to Evo-Devo: A History of Developmental Evolution manifest how the topic of development continues giving rise to changing biological views and novel perspectives on the history of biology. The title is not meant to imply that evo-devo has simply grown out of developmental biology; in fact, the essays make clear that evo-devo has many historical roots—e.g. reaching back to 19th century evolutionary morphology—and that evo-devo is more than a synthesis of the two fields of evolutionary and developmental biology. Among other recurring historical themes, the contributions highlight how throughout the 20th century multiple traditions of developmental biology coexisted, how technological innovations played a significant role in the history of developmental biology, and how development provided the foundation for an organismal perspective in biology, particularly with respect to evolutionary issues.

• Date created

  2007

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Evolutionary Developmental Biology
  • Phylogeny
  • Ontogeny
  • Philosophy
  • Embryology

• Type of Item

  Review

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3736MG8X

• License

  © 2007 I. Brigandt et al. This version of this article is open access and can be downloaded and shared. The original author(s) and source must be cited.