Evolution

by Douglas J. Futuyma, Mark Kirkpatrick

Extensively rewritten and reorganized, this new edition of Evolution--featuring a new coauthor: Mark Kirkpatrick (The University of Texas at Austin)--offers additional expertise in evolutionary genetics and genomics, the fastest-developing area of evolutionary biology. Directed toward an undergraduate audience, the text emphasizes the interplay between theory and empirical tests of hypotheses, thus acquainting students with the process of science. It addresses major themes--including the history of evolution, evolutionary processes, adaptation, and evolution as an explanatory framework--at levels of biological organization ranging from genomes to ecological communities.

For Students

Companion Website
The Evolution, Third Edition, Companion Website features review and study tools to help students master the material presented in the textbook. Access to the site is free of charge, and requires no access code. (Instructor registration is required in order for students to access the quizzes.) The site includes the following resources:

* Chapter Outlines and Summaries: Concise overviews of the important topics covered in each chapter.

* Data Analysis Exercises: Expanded for the third edition, these inquiry-based exercises involve students in working with data and analyzing methods and conclusions from published papers.

* Simulation Exercises: Interactive modules that allow students to explore many of the dynamic processes of evolution, and answer questions based on the results they observe.

* Online Quizzes: Quizzes that cover all the major concepts introduced in each chapter. These quizzes are assignable by the instructor.

* Flashcards & Key Terms: Easy-to-use activities that help students learn all the key terminology introduced in each chapter.

* The complete Glossary

For Instructors

Instructor's Resource Library
The Evolution, Third Edition, Instructor's Resource Library includes a variety of resources to help you develop your course and deliver your lectures. The IRL includes the following resources:

* Textbook Figures and Tables: All the figures (including photographs) and tables from the textbook are provided as JPEGs (both high- and low-resolution), reformatted and relabeled for optimal readability when projected.

* PowerPoint Presentations: For each chapter, all of the chapter's figures and tables are provided in a ready-to-use PowerPoint presentation, making it easy to quickly insert figures into your own lecture presentations.

* Answers to the textbook end-of-chapter Problems and Discussion Topics

* Quiz Questions from the Companion Website

* Data Analysis and Simulation Exercises from the Companion Website, with answers

Online Quizzing
A set of online quizzes is available via the Companion Website. These quizzes can be assigned or released for student self-study, at the instructor's discretion. Instructors can also add their own questions to the quizzing system, to create custom quizzes. Results can be viewed online or downloaded for use in gradebook programs. (Instructor registration is required for student access to the quizzes.)

Genres: Science, Evolution, Biology, Textbooks, Nonfiction, Reference, Nature

599 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Dougal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Futuyma is a well known evolutionary academic and his book, now into a second edition, is a leading text on the subject. Writing the book must have been a major undertaking and Futuyma is to be commended on producing such a fascinating and comprehensive book.

Unfortunately, large sections of the text are indigestible. A simple example of the general style will suffice:

'From studies of modern organisms, we know that much diversity resides in the great numbers of related species that reduce competition with one another by subtle differences in resource use.'

In addition, it is very common to find excessive use of words:

'...or those of any other species you are familiar with...'

Apart from general style, one finds oneself having to continually reread sentences. It isn't anything to do with the subject matter, or grammar, but with Futuyma's rather strange and clumsy construction of sentences. It is very common to get to the end of a long sentence to arrive at the subject matter of a new topic, idea or concept, ie 'because of x, y, and z, and the intervention of u, v and w, it is shown that a, b, c.' The sentence that was obscure until the end, makes perfect sense on re-reading. It is actually rather interesting how the text is perfectly clear on a second reading, but like wading through treacle on a first reading.

Overall, 'Evolution' is a good, up to date text on the subject. There is also an accompanying website for the second edition (this review refers to the first edition). But do be prepared to occasionally spend time unnecessarily rereading, trying to unravel exactly what Futuyma is saying, and to mutter under your breath: 'Why on Earth didn't he just say....'.

[Bilge B · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fucking funny and great to learn basics

[Mohammad Aboomar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is as comprehensive as can be for an introductory text to evolutionary biology.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very basic overview that introduces readers a to many of the fundamental ideas in Evolution. A good high school or non-science major undergraduate textbook.

[Tanja Pyhäjärvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the books I read during my undergraduate studies this was the most enjoyable

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and easy to comprehend for beginners. The end of chapter summaries are really nice, and you can almost read the end of chapter and get the idea of the entire chapter. If reading, read the end summary first, and then read chapter.

I wish the examples and descriptions of things were separated more, so I can learn about the thing and then compare to an example and not piece the two together in the same sentence.

[Olena Kovalenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great composition of the material - unfolds from general into specific, from basic to complex. It could greatly benefit from video supporting materials and some sort of practice tests or self-questions.

[Serana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some mathematical aspects were unclear and hard to follow and some of the graphs did not have enough explanations. otherwise it was one of the best course books for evolution and evolutionary theories.

[Rafał Grochala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Returned after few years to the newest edition. I'm definetely pleased with example-heavy methods of teaching. Beautiful book about beautiful subject.

[Taliarochminska · Rating 1 out of 5]

wish I didn't, nothing personal it's just the size, content and price are a bit overwhelming

[M. Ashraf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evolution
Douglas J. Futuyama

This is a text book on Biology and Evolution and a great introduction to a scientific subject.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique academic voice and approach to textbook writing. Some examples stood out as different but helpful, others were a bit odd. Overall, well organized and researched.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admito que la primera vez que lo leí, fue solo un poco por encima. Ahora me senté solo con el libro y lo leí de comienzo a fin. La verdad que en muchos momentos me aburrí porque iba sobre cosas muy básicas, pero por otro lado quizás a veces está bueno ir sobre lo básico para después tener una base para entender cosas más complejas. Está bastante bien, muy buenas explicaciones, esquemitas, recomiendo. Siento que va más dirigido a un estudiante de primeros años de carrera y no yo que estoy hace mil años pero igual mesirvio

[Heather Evans]

heavy work, this is not for most - particularly if you are like me and had a teacher that chose to let you learn it on your own

[Clement Ying · Rating 5 out of 5]

A textbook.

A glorious one.

[Patrick]

Read in Fall 2006.

3/20/19 - Chapter 5: A History of Life on Earth.