Review by Choice Review
In this slim volume, three molecular geneticists place recent findings about genetic similarities between diverse animal lineages into the broad context of animal evolution. The puzzling, and fascinating, sequence of development that transforms embryos into morphologically and functionally complex adults is attributed to the workings of highly conserved hox genes (here called an animal "genetic toolkit") and to the regulatory elements permitting genes to act in spatially and temporally distinct fashions. By pairing sophisticated molecular probe technology with classic taxonomic analysis, the book nicely illustrates how underlying genetic regulatory plasticity (pleiotropy), coupled with gene duplication, can account for the complexity of animal body plans, if not for the diversity of animal forms. The authors even stretch this analysis at one point to speculate on the appearance of the common bilateralist ancestor. Illustrations range from illuminating full-color comparisons of gene and sequence homologies and protein localizations to rather generic evolutionary trees. Chapter references; glossary. This useful book, combining a well-written review of the genetics behind morphological patterning with solid evolutionary analysis, is for a graduate audience, although upper-division undergraduates, faculty, and professionals would also profit from its clear and thorough presentation. S. K. Sommers Smith Boston University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
