Systematics and the Origin of Species from the Viewpoint of a Zoologist: With a New Introduction by the Author

by Ernst Mayr

Overview

Ernst Mayr is perhaps the most distinguished biologist of the twentieth century, and Systematics and the Origin of Species may be one of his greatest and most influential books. This classic study, first published in 1942, helped to revolutionize evolutionary biology by offering a new approach to taxonomic principles and correlating the ideas and findings of modern systematics with those of other life science disciplines. This book is one of the foundational documents of the “Evolutionary Synthesis.” It is the book in which Mayr pioneered his new concept of species based chiefly on such biological factors as interbreeding and reproductive isolation, taking into account ecology, geography, and life history.

In his new Introduction for this edition, Mayr reflects on the place of this enduring work in the subsequent history of his field.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674862500
Publisher:	Harvard University Press
Publication date:	10/15/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	372
Product dimensions:	5.38(w) x 8.25(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Ernst Mayr was Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology, Emeritus, at Harvard University. He was the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and awards, including the Crafoord Prize for Biology, the National Medal of Science, the Balzan Prize, and the Japan Prize.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Theodosius Dobzhansky

Preface

Introduction, 1999

Introduction by Niles Eldredge

I. The Methods and Principles of Systematics

II. Taxonomic Characters and Their Variation

III. Phenomena of Geographic Variation

IV. Some Aspects of Geographic Variation

V. The Systematic Categories and the New Species Concept

VI. The Polytypic Species, In Nature and in Systematics

VII. The Species in Evolution

VIII. Nongeographic Speciation

IX. The Biology of Speciation

X. The Higher Categories and Evolution

Literature

Index

Editorial Reviews

[This book] should be read by all biologists, professional and amateur.

Natural History

A source book on its subject…of lasting value.

New York Times

[This book] should be read by all biologists, professional and amateur.-- "Natural History (review of the first edition)"

A source book on its subject...of lasting value.-- "New York Times (review of the first edition)"

From the Publisher

[This book] should be read by all biologists, professional and amateur.

Natural History

A source book on its subject...of lasting value.

New York Times (review of the first edition)

[This book] should be read by all biologists, professional and amateur.

Natural History (review of the first edition)

Perhaps the most distinguished biologist of the 20th century, Mayr (zoology, Harvard U.) with this treatise introduced a new approach to taxonomic principles and correlated the ideas and findings of modern systematics with those of other life sciences. It is one of the foundation documents of the Evolutionary Synthesis. He contributes a new introduction reflecting on the place of the work in the subsequent history of the field. The original was published by Columbia University Press. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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