Buch, Englisch, Band 106, 346 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 407 g
Buch, Englisch, Band 106, 346 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 407 g
Reihe: Proceedings of the British Academy
ISBN: 978-0-19-726311-2
Verlag: Hurst & Co.
This is the first volume to address directly the question of the speciation of modern Homo sapiens. The subject raises profound questions about the nature of the species, our defining characteristic (it is suggested it is language), and the brain changes and their genetic basis that make us distinct. The British Academy and the Academy of Medical Sciences have brought together experts from palaeontology, archaeology, linguistics, psychology, genetics and evolutionary
theory to present evidence and theories at the cutting edge of our understanding of these issues.
Palaeontological and genetic work suggests that the transition from a precursor hominid species to modern man took place between 100,000 and 150,000 years ago. Some contributors discuss what is most characteristic of the species, focussing on language and its possible basis in brain lateralization. This work is placed in the context of speciation theory, which has remained a subject of considerable debate since the evolutionary synthesis of Mendelian genetics and Darwinian theory. The timing of
specific transitions in hominid evolution is discussed, as also is the question of the neural basis of language. Other contributors address the possible genetic nature of the transition, with reference to changes on the X and Y chromosomes that may account for sex differences in lateralization and
verbal ability. These differences are discussed in terms of the theory of sexual selection, and with reference to the mechanisms of speciation.
These essays will be vital reading for anyone interested in the nature and origins of the species, and specifically human abilities.
Autoren/Hrsg.
Fachgebiete
- Geowissenschaften Geologie Paläontologie, Taphonomie
- Geowissenschaften Geologie Paläobotanik
- Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Humanbiologie Frühmenschen, Hominiden
- Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Tierkunde / Zoologie Tiergenetik, Reproduktion
- Geowissenschaften Geologie Paläoökologie
- Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften Evolutionsbiologie
- Geowissenschaften Geologie Paläozoologie
- Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften Genetik und Genomik (nichtmedizinisch)
- Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Botanik Pflanzenreproduktion, Verbreitung, Genetik
