Evolution and Escalation: An Ecological History of Life [Hardcover]

Geerat J. Vermeij (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1987

Here is one biologist's interpretation of the chronology of life during the last six hundred million years of earth history: an extended essay that draws on the author's own data and a wide-ranging literature survey to discuss the nature and dynamics of evolutionary change in organisms and their biological surroundings. Geerat Vermeij demonstrates that escalation--the process by which species adapt to, or are limited by, their enemies as the latter increase in ability to acquire and retain resources--has been a dominant theme in the history of life despite frequent episodes of extinction. Here is one biologist's interpretation of the chronology of life during the last six hundred million years of earth history: an extended essay that draws on the author's own data and a wide-ranging literature survey to discuss the nature and dynamics of evolutionary change in organisms and their biological surroundings. Geerat Vermeij demonstrates that escalation--the process by which species adapt to, or are limited by, their enemies as the latter increase in ability to acquire and retain resources--has been a dominant theme in the history of life despite frequent episodes of extinction.

Editorial Reviews

Review

With the impressive scope and rich synthesis of this work, the author has assumed the mantle of a provocative pundit of paleobiology. -- Science



An extraordinarily useful book to students of evolutionary paleobiology. -- Carlton Brett, Geology
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr (May 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691084467
• ISBN-13: 978-0691084466
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,314,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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