Chapters authored
Toward a New Paradigm for the Evolution of Developmental and Growth-Pattern Systems in Plants and Animals
Genetically controlled and environmentally responsive mutation as a significant feature of evolution has very likely occurred on different genomic levels. The evolution of developmental and growth-pattern systems in plants and animals could have occurred through a karyotypic mutator system creating controlled, frequent genomic changes on the karyotypic level in response to environmental stresses, such as temperature changes. Such a mutator system generating controlled karyotypic changes at very high frequency in response to stress was discovered. in the fungus, Aspergillus nidulans, once classified within the plant kingdom. This mutator system is itself representative of a basic, responsive developmental system producing changes in growth-pattern, morphology, and changes ensuing in a new pattern of differentiation, which are adaptive. Such a developmental, karyotypic mutator system may itself have evolved, through its own self-controlled evolution, into types of complex developmental systems that, through controlled, specific, and minute karyotypic changes during ontogeny, could control patterns of development in plants and animals, integrating different levels of organization. The deeper implications for development and evolution are illustrated, suggesting a new paradigm.
Part of the book: Plant Growth