Menno Schilthuizen

Frogs, flies, and dandelions

The origin of new species has always been something of a puzzle - Darwin answered some of the important questions, but left a lot of others unanswered. In Frogs, Flies and Dandelions: The Making of Species Menno Schilthuizen looks into some of the debates on this issue.

The book starts by looking at the question of how a species is defined - sometimes it isn't very clear cut. Schilthuizen goes on to look at the various theories of how a new species might arise from an existing one. Isolation of a population is one possibility, and if it is a small population then there is a greater likelihood of significant genetic variation. But since the ability to mate is central to the definition of a species, sexual selection can also play a part. Sometimes new species can appear fairly suddenly, and it can be hard to deduce what caused them to split off from the original species. The later part of the book looks at examples of this in more detail.

The book can be read by the non-specialist, although I didn't feel that it was quite as lively as the blurb suggested. It's certainly worth reading if you want a better understanding of some of the puzzling features of the occurence of new species.

Amazon.com info

Hardcover 256 pages
ISBN: 0198503938
Salesrank: 663365
Weight:1.16 lbs

Published: 2001 Oxford University Press, USA

Marketplace:New from $37.60:Used from $5.29

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Amazon.co.uk info

Hardcover 256 pages
ISBN: 0198503938
Salesrank: 1014284
Weight:1.16 lbs

Published: 2001 Oxford University Press

Marketplace:New from £61.95:Used from £14.92

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.ca info

Hardcover 256 pages
ISBN: 0198503938
Salesrank: 751741
Weight:1.16 lbs

Published: 2001 Oxford University Press UK

Marketplace:New from CDN$ 86.12:Used from CDN$ 18.60

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Product Description
The earth is home to a wild proliferation of species, millions of life-forms that come in a spectacular--and often bizarre--array of sizes, shapes, and colors. But what triggers this fantastic explosion of life? How does one species split into another? Even Charles Darwin was baffled before such questions, calling them "The Mystery of Mysteries." In this fascinating, witty, and vividly written book, Menno Schilthuizen illuminates these questions, showing how biologists and zoologists over the last two centuries have responded to them, assessing our current knowledge of species, and proposing his own solution to Darwin's mystery. Using the sometimes-vicious academic debates and the powerful personalities of scientists as background, Schilthuizen explores the meandering path of species research and sets it out in the clearest possible terms. From looking at how we define a species, to exploring how geographical isolation and sexual selection contribute to making new species, to showing how species may appear gradually or instantaneously, Frogs, Flies, and Dandelions offers a comprehensive account of this evolutionary drama. Along the way, we get to know a remarkable cast of characters from the plant and animal kingdoms, from the copper-loving monkey flower to sockeye salmon, fire-bellied toads, lyrebirds, apple maggot flies, and many others. Most important, we get a clear picture of all the conditions necessary for one species to give birth to another. Written with engaging panache, and illuminating an area of study intensely relevant to any assessment of the earth's biodiversity, Frogs, Flies, and Dandelions will appeal to everyone--scientist and layperson alike--curious about nature and animal behavior.

Product Description

The earth is home to a wild proliferation of species, millions of life-forms that come in a spectacular--and often bizarre--array of sizes, shapes, and colors. But what triggers this fantastic explosion of life? How does one species split into another? Even Charles Darwin was baffled before such questions, calling them "The Mystery of Mysteries."
In this fascinating, witty, and vividly written book, Menno Schilthuizen illuminates these questions, showing how biologists and zoologists over the last two centuries have responded to them, assessing our current knowledge of species, and proposing his own solution to Darwin's mystery. Using the sometimes-vicious academic debates and the powerful personalities of scientists as background, Schilthuizen explores the meandering path of species research and sets it out in the clearest possible terms. From looking at how we define a species, to exploring how geographical isolation and sexual selection contribute to making new species, to showing how species may appear gradually or instantaneously, Frogs, Flies, and Dandelions offers a comprehensive account of this evolutionary drama. Along the way, we get to know a remarkable cast of characters from the plant and animal kingdoms, from the copper-loving monkey flower to sockeye salmon, fire-bellied toads, lyrebirds, apple maggot flies, and many others. Most important, we get a clear picture of all the conditions necessary for one species to give birth to another.
Written with engaging panache, and illuminating an area of study intensely relevant to any assessment of the earth's biodiversity, Frogs, Flies, and Dandelions will appeal to everyone--scientist and layperson alike--curious about nature and animal behavior.

One of the best guides - sadly out of print *****
This book was gripping and a joy to read and convinced me even more about evolutionary processes in the context of speciation. It was also terse, punchy and easily understood. The author has done the spadework and interviewed lots of scientists to put this part Journalistic guided tour together. This book starts with Mayr and the definition of a species - perhaps the best part, and goes into great depth about allopatric speciation before moving onto sympatric modes, polyploidy in plants and instances of possible instant speciation with animals as well. There are really good examples provided from the Galapagos, Indonesia and Australasia, the lake Chichlid fishes, Banana flies, Insects and yes dandelions. Most of the examples are quite varied and easily appreciated. I could not fault this extremely informative and enjoyable read. You would find is useful if you need to brush up on the mechanisms of species formation but don't have time to wade through a Mayr or a more expensive and dull textbook.

One of the best guides - sadly out of print *****

This book was gripping and a joy to read and convinced me even more about evolutionary processes in the context of speciation. It was also terse, punchy and easily understood. The author has done the spadework and interviewed lots of scientists to put this part Journalistic guided tour together.

This book starts with Mayr and the definition of a species - perhaps the best part, and goes into great depth about allopatric speciation before moving onto sympatric modes, polyploidy in plants and instances of possible instant speciation with animals as well.

There are really good examples provided from the Galapagos, Indonesia and Australasia, the lake Chichlid fishes, Banana flies, Insects and yes dandelions. Most of the examples are quite varied and easily appreciated.

I could not fault this extremely informative and enjoyable read. You would find is useful if you need to brush up on the mechanisms of species formation but don't have time to wade through a Mayr or a more expensive and dull textbook.

got me through my pre-lims ! *****
This book is chock full of current "problems" in systematics and species concepts. I was able to use several of these stories to pass my oral pre-lims in entomology and systematics! I told the author so in an email! :) This was a few years ago - and now I'm returning to this book again in order to locate or develop a post-doc.

got me through my pre-lims ! *****

This book is chock full of current "problems" in systematics and species concepts. I was able to use several of these stories to pass my oral pre-lims in entomology and systematics!

I told the author so in an email! :)
This was a few years ago - and now I'm returning to this book again in order to locate or develop a post-doc.

evolutionary theory for everyone *****
One of the deepest questions in evolution is how new species form. A common view is that some members of a species have to become spatially isolated from the other members of the species in order for them to become a new species. This view, that a new species cannot form in the same territory as the old species has been challenged by many biologists who have used a variety of experimental and observational methods. They have shown that natural selection is a bigger factor than isolation in the formation of new species and that members of the same species living in the same territory can occupy different environmental niches. Since each niche is associated with different selection pressures, new species can and do form on the same territory as old ones. This new chapter of scientific history can now be read by everyone thanks to this clear, entertaining and even amusing book.

evolutionary theory for everyone *****

One of the deepest questions in evolution is how new species form. A common view is that some members of a species have to become spatially isolated from the other members of the species in order for them to become a new species. This view, that a new species cannot form in the same territory as the old species has been challenged by many biologists who have used a variety of experimental and observational methods. They have shown that natural selection is a bigger factor than isolation in the formation of new species and that members of the same species living in the same territory can occupy different environmental niches. Since each niche is associated with different selection pressures, new species can and do form on the same territory as old ones.
This new chapter of scientific history can now be read by everyone thanks to this clear, entertaining and even amusing book.

best book I've read in a long time *****
I couldn't put this book down! I was extremely impressed with this author and wish he had written a dozen books already! I learned so much from this author and would highly recommend it to both scientists and non-scientists. I can see this book being looked at 50 years from now as well, so people can see where we got our evolutionary theories of today.

best book I've read in a long time *****

I couldn't put this book down! I was extremely impressed with this author and wish he had written a dozen books already! I learned so much from this author and would highly recommend it to both scientists and non-scientists. I can see this book being looked at 50 years from now as well, so people can see where we got our evolutionary theories of today.

Entertaining, up-to-date view of speciation theory *****
This is an extremely entertaining overview of the major theories of how new species emerge during biological evolution. Ideas from the technical literature such as allopatric speciation, sympatric speciation, and speciation through polyploidy are presented with lots of concrete examples, making the ideas very easy to digest. The science really comes alive in this book. Interviews with the scientists in the thick of research are enough to get you cheering for them. Also, Schilthuizen dramatizes in an engaging way the disputes between advocates of different theories of speciation. Finally, a useful glossary is provided at the end for anyone rusty on terminology from biology. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick, fun, yet informative, well-referenced, and up-to-date account of the state of the art in evolutionary biology.

Entertaining, up-to-date view of speciation theory *****

This is an extremely entertaining overview of the major theories of how new species emerge during biological evolution. Ideas from the technical literature such as allopatric speciation, sympatric speciation, and speciation through polyploidy are presented with lots of concrete examples, making the ideas very easy to digest.

The science really comes alive in this book. Interviews with the scientists in the thick of research are enough to get you cheering for them. Also, Schilthuizen dramatizes in an engaging way the disputes between advocates of different theories of speciation.

Finally, a useful glossary is provided at the end for anyone rusty on terminology from biology.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick, fun, yet informative, well-referenced, and up-to-date account of the state of the art in evolutionary biology.

One of the best guides, sadly out of print *****
This book was gripping and a joy to read and convinced me even more about evolutionary processes in the context of speciation. It was also terse, punchy and easily understood. The author has done the spadework and interviewed lots of scientists to put this part Journalistic guided tour together. This book starts with Mayr and the definition of a species - perhaps the best part, and goes into great depth about allopatric speciation before moving onto sympatric modes, polyploidy in plants and instances of possible instant speciation with animals as well. There are really good examples provided from the Galapagos, Indonesia and Australasia, the lake Chichlid fishes, Banana flies, Insects and yes dandelions. Most of the examples are quite varied and easily appreciated. I could not fault this extremely informative and enjoyable read. You would find is useful if you need to brush up on the mechanisms of species formation but don't have time to wade through a Mayr or a more expensive and dull textbook.

One of the best guides, sadly out of print *****

Refreshing overview on speciation. *****
One of the most enjoyable reads on speciation. The writing style is exquisite, enriched with a touch of deadpan humor. Elucidates the major players, profound debates and current research in speciation. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in processes that generate biodiversity and students of biology. Menno Schilthuizen should write more books.

Refreshing overview on speciation. *****

One of the most enjoyable reads on speciation. The writing style is exquisite, enriched with a touch of deadpan humor. Elucidates the major players, profound debates and current research in speciation. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in processes that generate biodiversity and students of biology. Menno Schilthuizen should write more books.