Phenotypes Their epigenetics, ecology and evolution [Hardcover]

This book provides a framework for understanding organism design including constraints, trends and major constellations of adaptive tactics. The fundamental organization revolves around organisms as problem solving machines - the key problems and alternative solutions.Preface. Hierarchical reductionism and the evolution of biological organization. Regulatory interactions, epigenetics and genomic integration. Epigenetics and developmental hierarchies. The subspecific lineage paradigm and the genetic templet. Metalineage selection and sexual reproduction. Phenotypic plasticity, allelic switches and canalization: a metalineage perspective. Adaptive suites, coadapted genomes and dynamic genetic templets. Trade offs and synergisms in phenotypic organization: an evolutionary framework. The evolution of senescence and longevity assurance. The principle of allocation: limitations, life-times and metabolic relativity. Life-times and limitations: speculations in a lineage paradigm. The ecological triumvirate: phenotypic correlations of stress, disturbance and biotically diverse habitats. References. Index.This is a very good book - The Biologist; ...contains much food for thought - The Molecular Engineer and Biotechnologist