Review by Choice Review
In this detailed treatment, Groves attempts to reorient the study of primate and human evolution along new lines. He combines a generally cladistic approach with modern theoretical underpinnings emphasizing such factors as punctuation, parallelism, heterochrony, and centrifugal speciation. From this set of terms, it is clear that this is not an introductory work, but one for professionals and graduate students, which covers a wide range of topics in evolution as exemplified by the primates. A survey of the basics of systematics and evolutionary theory is followed by a detailed and up-to-the-minute assessment of the classification and relationships of living primates. Groves has worked on many primate groups (as well as numerous other mammals), and it is here that the book stands out most brightly. By comparison, his chapter on fossil primates is weak, especially on the early forms. The last three chapters covering human fossils, their systematics, and evolutionary patterns offer a variety of new concepts and new species with which few will agree. Beginners will surely prefer J.G. Fleagle's Primate Adaptation and Evolution (CH, Mar '89), but for some new horizons, try Groves. -E. Delson, Herbert H. Lehman College, CUNY
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
