Mutation-Driven Evolution 1st Edition

by Masatoshi Nei (Author)

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ISBN-13: 978-0199661732

ISBN-10: 0199661731

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The purpose of this book is to present a new mechanistic theory of mutation-driven evolution based on recent advances in genomics and evolutionary developmental biology. The theory asserts, perhaps somewhat controversially, that the driving force behind evolution is mutation, with natural
selection being of only secondary importance. The word 'mutation' is used to describe any kind of change in DNA such as nucleotide substitution, gene duplication/deletion, chromosomal change, and genome duplication. A brief history of the principal evolutionary theories (Darwinism, mutationism,
neo-Darwinism, and neo-mutationism) that preceded the theory of mutation-driven evolution is also presented in the context of the last 150 years of research. However, the core of the book is concerned with recent studies of genomics and the molecular basis of phenotypic evolution, and their
relevance to mutation-driven evolution. In contrast to neo-Darwinism, mutation-driven evolution is capable of explaining real examples of evolution such as the evolution of olfactory receptors, sex-determination in animals, and the general scheme of hybrid sterility. In this sense the theory
proposed is more realistic than its predecessors, and gives a more logical explanation of various evolutionary events.

Mutation-Driven Evolution is suitable for graduate level students as well as professional researchers (both empiricists and theoreticians) in the fields of molecular evolution and population genetics. It assumes that the readers are acquainted with basic knowledge of genetics and molecular
biology.

Review

"Overall, this is an interesting and useful book that brings up a less conventional and more current view of evolution. ... [Nei's] book makes a nice contribution in contrasting mathematical models of evolution with the real world, and the influence of external factors and internal molecular changes in the course of evolution. Above all, it shows that despite so much that we currently understand about evolution, there is still a lot to learn." --Science and Education

About the Author

Masatoshi Nei is a molecular evolutionary geneticist and has developed many statistical methods that are widely used for evolutionary studies at present. He has also studied human evolution and evolution of multigene families, immune systems genes, sensory receptor genes, etc. Masatoshi Nei is
currently Evan Pugh Professor of Biology at the Pennsylvania State University and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences. He received numerous Awards including the International Prize for Biology from Japan and the Thomas Morgan Medal from the Genetics Society of America. Nei is a
co-founder of the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution and served as President of the Society for the Study of Molecular Biology and Evolution and American Genetic Association.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; 1st edition (June 14, 2013)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 244 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0199661731
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0199661732
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.53 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.8 x 0.8 x 7.6 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,335,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #10,917 in Biology & Life Sciences (Books)
- #16,218 in Evolution (Books)

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Howard Robbins

Possibly overstated - but great! Textbooks must change.

Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2014

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Nei begins his Chapter 6 by saying: "In the study of evolution the following question is often asked: what is the relative importance of mutation and natural selection? In my view this is not an appropriate question, because the roles of mutation and selection are qualitatively different."

However, the theme of his book is that mutation is primary, although he says at one point that "Of course, this does not mean that natural selection is unimportant".

His arguments are strong, and textbooks must change. But neo-Darwinian concepts still have some relevance.

After a major meteor strike, intense selection occurred before "lucky" new mutations could make a difference. The same was probably true for lesser catastrophes, if not too local or transitory.

Whenever the environment changes quickly, the first response is probably via selection, and mutations that eliminate functions not needed in the new environment. Favorable new mutations have low probability, and therefore come later. This may apply to Founders, if they are poorly adapted to their new environment but have little competition, except from each other. Not every fish that enters a cave survives to breed!

Favorable mutations can upset stability. Is this relevant for punctuated equilibrium (not mentioned in his index)?

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K. M. Weiss

How adaptive evolution works

Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2013

The author is one of the major figures in the theory and analysis of molecular evolution of the last half of the 20th century. This book reflects his remarkable memory of that history and its major ideas about how complex adaptive traits evolve. Nei challenges the often automatic assumption that such traits are due to `selection' rather than mutation. The prevailing idea has been that there's always enough standing variation for selection to screen to enable new adaptations to occur. But Nei explains his challenge to that idea, that new adaptations for complex traits must await `constraint breaking' mutations that enable new pathways out of entrenched developmental systems. He also provides a more fluid view of species' options, a challenge to the view that they are all very tightly fitted, and adaptively restricted, to highly specialized niches. These ideas in various forms can be found in the biological literature, but not as cohesively argued as a general theory about the nature of adaptive evolution. The ideas deserve both the airing Nei gives them and the debate that may follow by those who would challenge them.

13 people found this helpful

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anonymous

A Must Read for Anyone Interested in Evolutionary Biology

Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2013

Every so often, a new idea is put forth to explain the underlying causes of evolution. Mostly, these ideas are not very earth-shattering, and typically they are very specific and applicable only to the problem at hand. The ideas put forth in this book are quite the opposite: together they form the basis of a new theory of mutation-driven evolution that eloquently explains “real examples”. If you want to be challenged to think about the underlying causes of evolution, and not simply be content to be spoon-fed dogma that has pervaded the literature, then this book is a must read for you. It flows well, and the examples provided are clearly and concisely explained. It will be of great value to graduate students and established researchers, but even those who have only taken undergraduate courses in evolutionary biology will appreciate this book. If you want to gain a true appreciation for how evolution “works”, then I highly recommend you buy and read this book.

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mozartfan

進化を考察するうえで必読

Reviewed in Japan on March 3, 2015

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そう簡単に読みこなせる著作ではありません。読者は遺伝学と分子生物学の知識はあることが前提とされています。複雑な構文の英語ではありません。
まだ序文と一部の章を読んだだけです。著者が断っているように、この本は教科書ではありませんので、進化生物学に関する網羅的な記述や解説はしてありません。けれども突然変異がどのように進化を進めてきたかについて豊富な例を挙げて解説してくれています。
進化説において自然淘汰説、特に適応的な形質が進化するという正の自然淘汰理論がアメリカでは強いらしく、分子進化の分野では中立的な進化が常識かと思っていましたが、多くの進化生物学者は中立説にほとんど注意していないと著者は指摘しています。これには驚きました。多くの生物学者は表現型の進化に注目していて自然淘汰万能論が根強いというのです。
そんななか著者は突然変異こそ進化を進めた原動力であり、自然淘汰は二の次だと主張します。表現型の進化は二十年前にはほとんど分子的に論ずることはできませんでした。それでも著者は『分子進化遺伝学』（1987）で既に「適応進化においても、突然変異がきわめて重要な役割を演じていると考えている（Nei 1975, 1983）。・・・ネオ・ダーウィニズムにおいては、突然変異は進化において小さな役割しか与えられていない（Wright 1982も参照）。・・・ここで突然変異は、塩基置換や遺伝子重複といったあらゆる種類の遺伝的変化を含む」（訳書ｐ.372-373）と書いていました。
最近では状況は劇的に変わりました。進化発生学が明らかにした遺伝子発現のしくみ、ゲノム重複の重要性、エピジェネテイクスがあきらかにした環境要因が遺伝子にもたらす変化。これらの結果を考慮しない進化学は形を成さないでしょう。
著者はそれらを統合して進化説を展開しようと試みています。遺伝子レベルで染色体、細胞、器官の進化を説明しようというのです。わくわくしますね。本に掲載されている図を見ただけでわくわくします。
　

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Mutation-Driven Evolution 1st Edition

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