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The significance and scope of evolutionary developmental biology: a vision for the 21st century
Author(s) -
Moczek Armin P.,
Sears Karen E.,
Stollewerk Angelika,
Wittkopp Patricia J.,
Diggle Pamela,
Dworkin Ian,
LedonRettig Cristina,
Matus David Q.,
Roth Siegfried,
Abouheif Ehab,
Brown Federico D.,
Chiu ChiHua,
Cohen C. Sarah,
Tomaso Anthony W. De,
Gilbert Scott F.,
Hall Brian,
Love Alan C.,
Lyons Deirdre C.,
Sanger Thomas J.,
Smith Joel,
Specht Chelsea,
VallejoMarin Mario,
Extavour Cassandra G.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
evolution and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.651
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1525-142X
pISSN - 1520-541X
DOI - 10.1111/ede.12125
Subject(s) - scope (computer science) , evolutionary developmental biology , biology , evolutionary biology , process (computing) , situated , developmental biology , cognitive science , artificial intelligence , computer science , genetics , psychology , programming language , operating system
SUMMARY Evolutionary developmental biology (evo‐devo) has undergone dramatic transformations since its emergence as a distinct discipline. This paper aims to highlight the scope, power, and future promise of evo‐devo to transform and unify diverse aspects of biology. We articulate key questions at the core of eleven biological disciplines—from Evolution, Development, Paleontology, and Neurobiology to Cellular and Molecular Biology, Quantitative Genetics, Human Diseases, Ecology, Agriculture and Science Education, and lastly, Evolutionary Developmental Biology itself—and discuss why evo‐devo is uniquely situated to substantially improve our ability to find meaningful answers to these fundamental questions. We posit that the tools, concepts, and ways of thinking developed by evo‐devo have profound potential to advance, integrate, and unify biological sciences as well as inform policy decisions and illuminate science education. We look to the next generation of evolutionary developmental biologists to help shape this process as we confront the scientific challenges of the 21st century.