Articles

Evolution durch Retention?

Peer Schilperoord
Elemente der Naturwissenschaft 75, 2001, P. 84-88 | DOI: 10.18756/edn.75.84
Colloquium | Language: English | €6.00
Export Article Citation as

Abstract:

Are heterochrony and retention driving forces in the macroevolution of plants? The arguments of Wolfgang Schad in his article «Evolution durch Retention - Zur Makroevolution der ersten Landpflanzen, der höheren Tiere und des Menschen» in «Goethes Beitrag zur Erneuerung der Naturwissenschaften», edited by Peter Heusser, are not convincing. The example of Anewophyton germanicnm, a treelike progymnosperm, and the example of the evolution of the leaf are discussed.

Both examples are not suitable to prove the hypothesis of heterochrony and retention as driving forces of plant evolution.
 

References
  • Arnold, C. A. (1947): An Introduction to Paleobotany. New York.
  • Beck, C. B. (1962): Reconstructions of Archaeopteris and further consideration of its phylogenetic position. In: American Journal of Botany 46, S. 373-382.
  • Froebe, H. A., und Classen-Bockhoff, R. (1994): Das trialektische Typuskonzept der botanischen Morphologie. Senckenberg-Buch 70: S. 143-167. Frankfurt/M.
  • Heusser, P. (2000): Goethes Beitrag zur Erneuerung der Naturwissenschaften. Bern.
  • Mägdefrau‚ K. (1956): Paläobiologie der Pflanzen. Jena.
  • Stewart, W. N., und Rothwell, G. W. (1999): Paleobotany and the evolution of plants. Cambridge.
  • Warburg, O. (1923): Die Pflanzenwelt. Bd. 1, Leipzig.