In Light of Evolution: Adaptation and Complex Design

The series seeks to promote the evolutionary sciences by publishing the proceedings of the Arthur M. Sackler colloquia, sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences, each exploring evolutionary perspectives on a particular biological topic that is both scientifically intriguing and especially relevant to contemporary societal issues or challenges. The second was held in Irvine, California during December 2007, and the 18 papers cover contemporary patterns and processes in animals and in plants and microbes, trends and processes in the paleontological past, and prospects for the future. Specific topics include asking the amphibians whether they are witnessing a sixth mass extinction, contrasting elevational patterns of bacteria and plant diversity on moutainsides, mega-fauna biomass tradeoff as a driver of Quaternary and future extinctions, and phylogenetic trees and the future of mammalian biodiversity. The studies are accessible to general readers. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)