The evolution of segmentation is one of the central questions in evolutionary developmental biology. Indeed, it is one of the best case studies for the role of changes in development in the evolution of body plans. Segmented body plans are believed to have appeared several times in animal evolution, and to have contributed significantly to the evolutionary success of the taxa in which they are present. Because of the centrality of the subject, and the continuing interest in understanding segmentation, this book offers an often overlooked focus on the cellular aspects of the process of segmentation, providing an invaluable reference for students of evolutionary developmental biology at all levels.

Key Features

• Explores the role that segmentation has played in the diversity of animals
• Documents the diverse cellular mechanisms by which segmentation develops
• Reviews the independent evolutionary origins of segmentation
• Provides insight into the general patterns of serial homology at the cellular level

Related Titles

Lynne Bianchi. Developmental Neurobiology (ISBN 978-0-8153-4482-7).

Jonathan Bard. Principles of Evolution: Systems, Species, and the History of Life (ISBN 978-0-8153-4539-8).

Gerhard Scholtz. Evolutionary Developmental Biology of Crustacea (ISBN 978-9-0580-9637-1).

Dr. Ariel D. Chipman is Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution & Behavior of the Silberman Institute of Life Sciences at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is the author or co-author of dozens of peer reviewed scientific journal articles. His research focuses upon the evolution of animal body plans with a focus on arthropod segmentation, integrating comparative embryology, the fossil record and genome evolution.