Adaptation as organism design |
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Authors: | Andy Gardner |
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Institution: | Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK |
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Abstract: | The problem of adaptation is to explain the apparent design of organisms. Darwin solved this problem with the theory of natural selection. However, population geneticists, whose responsibility it is to formalize evolutionary theory, have long neglected the link between natural selection and organismal design. Here, I review the major historical developments in theory of organismal adaptation, clarifying what adaptation is and what it is not, and I point out future avenues for research. |
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Keywords: | Darwinism natural selection population genetics optimization |
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