Comparative developmental physiology is a growing
discipline examining a diversity of organisms as they transform from
single cells to mature, reproductive individuals. This collection of
original, innovative essays emerged from a Roundtable on Comparative
Developmental Physiology held in Glen Rose, Texas in the summer of 2002.
This meeting brought together investigators studying the physiology of
developing animals in an effort to identify the field's potential
contributions to biology. The participants honed in on common emerging
themes and future goals, which are reflected in the chapters within.
The nascent community of comparative developmental physiologists was
challenged to amplify the power of data collection and tool development
by focusing on a few select model organisms, while still employing the
power of the broader, more traditional comparative approach.
Evolution has provided comparative developmental physiologists with
remarkable biological diversity, which they have used to investigate a
broad range of questions critical for understanding how life works. This
goes beyond the basic nuts and bolts of cellular mechanisms to the
functional whole, from the mechanistic level to behavior within and
between organisms. The union of developmental biology with the breadth
of comparative physiology holds much promise for a deeper understanding
of evolutionary processes.
- Hardcover: 236 pages
- Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (March 2, 2006)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0195168593
- ISBN-13: 978-0195168594
