Insect Development and Evolution

Life scientists are increasingly drawn to the study of comparative evolutionary biology. Insect Development and Evolution is the first synthesis of knowledge of insect development within an evolutionary framework and the first to survey the genetic, molecular, and whole organism literature. Bruce S. Heming provides a detailed introduction to the embryonic and postembryonic development of insects. Topics include: * reproductive systems, * male and female gametogenesis, * sperm transfer and use, * fertilization, * sex determination, * parthenogenesis, * embryogenesis, * postembryogenesis, * hormones, * and the role of ontogeny in insect evolution. Summaries for each of these topics cover structural events; comparative aspects (inserted on a phylogeny of the insect orders); and hormonal, genetic, and molecular causal analyses. Insect Development and Evolution treats examples throughout the hexapods with frequent reference to the evolution and development of other invertebrates. It also compares insects to vertebrates and places insect development into context with fossil evidence and earth history. Heming's book will become an essential tool for students and teachers of entomology. It will also interest insect systematists and paleontologists, insect behavioral ecologists, insect pathologists, applied entomologists, developmental and invertebrate biologists, and all scientists who use Drosophila as a model organism. | Life scientists are increasingly drawn to the study of comparative evolutionary biology. Insect Development and Evolution is the first synthesis of knowledge of insect development within an evolutionary framework and the first to survey the genetic, molecular, and whole organism literature. Bruce S. Heming provides a detailed introduction to the embryonic and postembryonic development of insects. Topics include:* reproductive systems,* male and female gametogenesis,* sperm transfer and use,* fertilization,* sex determination,* parthenogenesis,* embryogenesis,* postembryogenesis,* hormones,* and the role of ontogeny in insect evolution.Summaries for each of these topics cover structural events; comparative aspects (inserted on a phylogeny of the insect orders); and hormonal, genetic, and molecular causal analyses.Insect Development and Evolution treats examples throughout the hexapods with frequent reference to the evolution and development of other invertebrates. It also compares insects to vertebrates and places insect development into context with fossil evidence and earth history. Heming's book will become an essential tool for students and teachers of entomology. It will also interest insect systematists and paleontologists, insect behavioral ecologists, insect pathologists, applied entomologists, developmental and invertebrate biologists, and all scientists who use Drosophila as a model organism.

Life scientists are increasingly drawn to the study of comparative evolutionary biology. Insect Development and Evolution is the first synthesis of knowledge of insect development within an evolutionary framework and the first to survey the genetic, molecular, and whole organism literature. Bruce S. Heming provides a detailed introduction to the embryonic and postembryonic development of insects. Topics include:

* reproductive systems,
* male and female gametogenesis,
* sperm transfer and use,
* fertilization,
* sex determination,
* parthenogenesis,
* embryogenesis,
* postembryogenesis,
* hormones,
* and the role of ontogeny in insect evolution.

Summaries for each of these topics cover structural events; comparative aspects (inserted on a phylogeny of the insect orders); and hormonal, genetic, and molecular causal analyses.

Insect Development and Evolution treats examples throughout the hexapods with frequent reference to the evolution and development of other invertebrates. It also compares insects to vertebrates and places insect development into context with fossil evidence and earth history. Heming's book will become an essential tool for students and teachers of entomology. It will also interest insect systematists and paleontologists, insect behavioral ecologists, insect pathologists, applied entomologists, developmental and invertebrate biologists, and all scientists who use Drosophila as a model organism.

Aiming to synthesize knowledge from the studies of the past with the recent exciting discoveries on Drosophila and Manduca development, this volume addresses reproductive systems, gametogenesis, sperm transfer and use, fertilization, sex determination, parthenogenesis, embryogenesis, postembryogenesis and metamorphosis, hormones, the quantitative analysis of growth, and the contributions of ontogeny to insect diversification. For each is provided a summary of structural events, comparative aspects, and results of experimental analysis--the last in chronological order to provide perspective on the evolution of thinking on the subject. Suitable as a text for a one- or two-semester course in insect development. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Contents Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1. The Male Reproductive System and Spermatogenesis Chapter 2. The Female Reproductive System and Oogenesis Chapter 3. Sperm Transfer. Allocation. and Use Chapter 4. Sex Determination Chapter 5. Parthenogenesis Chapter 6. Early Embryogenesis Chapter 7. Specification of the Body Plan in Insect Embryos Chapter 8. Organogenesis Chapter 9. Postembryonic Development and Life History Chapter 10. Molting and Metamorphosis Chapter 11. Specification of the Adult Body Pattern Chapter 12. Hormones, Molting, and Metamorphosis Chapter 13. Ontogeny and Hexapod Evolution References Index