Description
Covering both the internal and external incubation of offspring, this book provides a biology-rich survey of the natural history, ecology, genetics, and evolution of pregnancy-like phenomena. From mammals and other live-bearing organisms to viviparous reptiles, male-pregnant fishes, larval-brooding worms, crabs, sea cucumbers, and corals, the world's various species display pregnancy and other forms of parental devotion in surprisingly multifaceted ways. An adult female (or male) can incubate its offspring in a womb, stomach, mouth, vocal sac, gill chamber, epithelial pouch, backpack, leg pocket, nest, or an encasing of embryos, and by studying these diverse examples from a comparative vantage point, the ecological and evolutionary-genetic outcomes of different reproductive models become fascinatingly clear. John C. Avise discusses each mode of pregnancy and the decipherable genetic signatures it has left on the reproductive structures, physiologies, and innate sexual behaviors of extant species. By considering the many biological aspects of gestation from different evolutionary angles, Avise offers captivating new insights into the significance of "heavy" parental investment in progeny.
About the Author
John C. Avise is a Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Irvine, and an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. He is also the author of Hermaphroditism: A Primer on the Biology, Ecology, and Evolution of Dual Sexuality.
Reviews
John C. Avise, one of the greatest naturalists and evolutionary biologists of the modern era, takes us on a fascinating journey through the amazing diversity of pregnancy-related phenomena in the natural world. His engaging prose is punctuated by wonderful illustrations and startling factoids. Throughout, he weaves an evolutionary backstory and produces a comprehensive survey of reproductive modes in a vast array of organisms. The result is a book that should be high on the reading list of anyone interested in reproductive biology or the evolution of parental care. -- Adam Jones, Texas A&M University Evolutionary Perspectives on Pregnancy is chock-full of surprises. In addition to pregnant mammals, you will find pregnant fishes and reptiles, mollusks and sea urchins, and even worms and insects. You will find pregnant males as well. I don't know of any other book where one could find all this remarkable information, biologically significant and evolution-enlightening. Delightful and informative tidbits from mythology, literature, and history appear on virtually every page. -- Francisco J. Ayala, University of California, Irvine Avise distills an enormous body of research into a lucid presentation of two themes. One is the remarkably diverse natural history of pregnancy, which includes oddities like male pregnancy in seahorses or mother frogs that incubate tadpoles in their stomachs, thus equating regurgitation with birth. The second is the current scientific thinking for the evolution of this diversity. Avise emphasizes that pregnancy is not the product of an adaptive, harmonious relationship between mother and offspring; it is instead shaped by conflicts between fathers, mothers, and offspring. -- David Reznick, author of The "Origin" Then and Now: An Interpretive Guide to the "Origin of Species" An excellent read for anyone interested in one of the most basic mechanisms of natural selection... Highly recommended. Choice Comprehensive... Beautifully crafted and considerate. The Biologist ... Avise has painstakingly compiled a vast amount of information and skillfully organized and presented it in words that anyone of average intelligence can understand. We commend him for a well-researched, highly readable, and wonderfully delightful book. BizIndia Book Reviews A fun read, full of interesting natural history, and insights into evolutionary patterns and processes... This one will remain within arm's length on my desk as I prepare next quarter's lectures. -- Vincent J. Lynch Ecology
Awards
Winner of Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2013.
Book Information
ISBN 9780231160605
Author John Avise
Format Hardback
Page Count 346
Imprint Columbia University Press
Publisher Columbia University Press
About the Author
John C. Avise is a Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Irvine, and an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. He is also the author of Hermaphroditism: A Primer on the Biology, Ecology, and Evolution of Dual Sexuality.
Reviews
John C. Avise, one of the greatest naturalists and evolutionary biologists of the modern era, takes us on a fascinating journey through the amazing diversity of pregnancy-related phenomena in the natural world. His engaging prose is punctuated by wonderful illustrations and startling factoids. Throughout, he weaves an evolutionary backstory and produces a comprehensive survey of reproductive modes in a vast array of organisms. The result is a book that should be high on the reading list of anyone interested in reproductive biology or the evolution of parental care. -- Adam Jones, Texas A&M University Evolutionary Perspectives on Pregnancy is chock-full of surprises. In addition to pregnant mammals, you will find pregnant fishes and reptiles, mollusks and sea urchins, and even worms and insects. You will find pregnant males as well. I don't know of any other book where one could find all this remarkable information, biologically significant and evolution-enlightening. Delightful and informative tidbits from mythology, literature, and history appear on virtually every page. -- Francisco J. Ayala, University of California, Irvine Avise distills an enormous body of research into a lucid presentation of two themes. One is the remarkably diverse natural history of pregnancy, which includes oddities like male pregnancy in seahorses or mother frogs that incubate tadpoles in their stomachs, thus equating regurgitation with birth. The second is the current scientific thinking for the evolution of this diversity. Avise emphasizes that pregnancy is not the product of an adaptive, harmonious relationship between mother and offspring; it is instead shaped by conflicts between fathers, mothers, and offspring. -- David Reznick, author of The "Origin" Then and Now: An Interpretive Guide to the "Origin of Species" An excellent read for anyone interested in one of the most basic mechanisms of natural selection... Highly recommended. Choice Comprehensive... Beautifully crafted and considerate. The Biologist ... Avise has painstakingly compiled a vast amount of information and skillfully organized and presented it in words that anyone of average intelligence can understand. We commend him for a well-researched, highly readable, and wonderfully delightful book. BizIndia Book Reviews A fun read, full of interesting natural history, and insights into evolutionary patterns and processes... This one will remain within arm's length on my desk as I prepare next quarter's lectures. -- Vincent J. Lynch Ecology
Awards
Winner of Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2013.
Book Information
ISBN 9780231160605
Author John Avise
Format Hardback
Page Count 346
Imprint Columbia University Press
Publisher Columbia University Press
