Foundations of Systematics and Biogeography

This volume draws attention to the seminal studies and important advances that have shaped systematic and biogeographic thinking and continue to influence its direction today. The book traces concepts in homology and classification from the 19th century to the present through the provision of a unique anthology of scientific writings. This volume draws attention to the seminal studies and importantadvances that have shaped systematic and biogeographic thinking andcontinue to influence its direction today. It traces concepts inhomology and classification from the 19th century to the presentthrough the provision of a unique anthology of scientific writingsfrom Goethe, Agassiz, Geoffroy St. Hilaire, Owen, Naef, Zangerl andNelson, among others. In addition, current attitudes and practices incomparative biology are interrogated, particularly in relation toevolutionary studies leading to a re-statement of the principal aimsof the discipline. In order to alert prospective students to pitfallscommon in systematics and biogeography, the book highlights threeprincipal messages: biological classifications and their explanatorymechanisms are separate notions; most, if not all, homology conceptspre-date the works of Darwin; and that the foundation of allcomparative biology is the concept of relationship - neither'similarity' nor 'genealogical hypotheses of descent' are sufficient. Foundations of Systematics and Biogeography is an ideal volume for students, academics, researchers and professionals in the fields of systematics, biogeography, evolutionary biology and palaeontology. This volume draws attention to the seminal studies and important advances that have shaped systematic and biogeographic thinking and continue to influence its direction today. In doing so, the book will explode some myths currently part of biology. The book traces concepts in homology and classification from the 19th century to the present through the provision of a unique anthology of scientific writings. In addition, current attitudes and practices in comparative biology are interrogated. In order to alert prospective students to pitfalls common in systematics and biogeography, the book highlights three principal messages: biological classifications and their explanatory mechanisms are separate notions; most, if not all, homology concepts pre-date the works of Darwin; and that the foundation of all comparative biology is the concept of relationship – neither 'similarity' nor 'genealogical hypotheses of descent' are sufficient.