Overview

Covering both the internal and external incubation of offspring, this book provides a biology-rich survey of the natural history, ecology, genetics, and evolution of pregnancy-like phenomena. From mammals and other live-bearing organisms to viviparous reptiles, male-pregnant fishes, larval-brooding worms, crabs, sea cucumbers, and corals, the world’s various species display pregnancy and other forms of parental devotion in surprisingly multifaceted ways. An adult female (or male) can incubate its offspring in a womb, stomach, mouth, vocal sac, gill chamber, epithelial pouch, backpack, leg pocket, nest, or an encasing of embryos, and by studying these diverse examples from a comparative vantage point, the ecological and evolutionary-genetic outcomes of different reproductive models become fascinatingly clear. John C. Avise discusses each mode of pregnancy and the decipherable genetic signatures it has left on the reproductive structures, physiologies, and innate sexual behaviors of extant species. By considering the many biological aspects of gestation from different evolutionary angles, Avise offers captivating new insights into the significance of “heavy” parental investment in progeny.

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9780231531450

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Reviews

Avise distills an enormous body of research--some of it his own--into a lucid presentation of two themes. One is the remarkably diverse natural history of pregnancy, which includes oddities like male pregnancy in seahorses or mother frogs that incubate tadpoles in their stomachs, thus equating regurgitation with birth. The second is the current scientific thinking for the evolution of this diversity. Avise emphasizes that pregnancy is not the product of an adaptive, harmonious relationship between mother and offspring; it is instead shaped by conflicts between fathers, mothers and offspring. This is a lively, informative book.--David Reznick, Author of The Origin Then and Now: An Interpretic Guide to the Origin of Species

John C. Avise, one of the greatest naturalists and evolutionary biologists of the modern era, takes us on a fascinating journey through the amazing diversity of pregnancy-related phenomena in the natural world. His engaging prose is punctuated by wonderful illustrations and startling factoids. Throughout, he weaves an evolutionary backstory and produces a comprehensive survey of reproductive modes in a vast array of organisms. The result is a book that should be high on the reading list of anyone interested in reproductive biology or the evolution of parental care.--Adam Jones, Texas A&M University A fun read, full of interesting natural history, and insights into evolutionary patterns and processes... This one will remain within arm's length on my desk as I prepare next quarter's lectures.--Vincent J. Lynch Ecology Evolutionary Perspectives on Pregnancy is chock-full of surprises. In addition to pregnant mammals, you will find pregnant fishes and reptiles, mollusks and sea urchins, and even worms and insects. You will find pregnant males as well. I don't know of any other book where one could find all this remarkable information, biologically significant and evolution-enlightening. Delightful and informative tidbits from mythology, literature, and history appear on virtually every page.--Francisco J. Ayala, University of California, Irvine Avise distills an enormous body of research into a lucid presentation of two themes. One is the remarkably diverse natural history of pregnancy, which includes oddities like male pregnancy in seahorses or mother frogs that incubate tadpoles in their stomachs, thus equating regurgitation with birth. The second is the current scientific thinking for the evolution of this diversity. Avise emphasizes that pregnancy is not the product of an adaptive, harmonious relationship between mother and offspring; it is instead shaped by conflicts between fathers, mothers, and offspring.--David Reznick, author of The Origin Then and Now: An Interpretive Guide to the Origin of Species Avise distills an enormous body of research into a lucid presentation of two themes. One is the remarkably diverse natural history of pregnancy, which includes oddities like male pregnancy in seahorses or mother frogs that incubate tadpoles in their stomachs, thus equating regurgitation with birth. The second is the current scientific thinking for the evolution of this diversity. Avise emphasizes that pregnancy is not the product of an adaptive, harmonious relationship between mother and offspring; it is instead shaped by conflicts between fathers, mothers, and offspring.--David Reznick, author of The Origin Then and Now: An Interpretive Guide to the Origin of Species Evolutionary Perspectives on Pregnancy is chock-full of surprises. In addition to pregnant mammals, you will find pregnant fishes and reptiles, mollusks and sea urchins, and even worms and insects. You will find pregnant males as well. I don't know of any other book where one could find all this remarkable information, biologically significant and evolution-enlightening. Delightful and informative tidbits from mythology, literature, and history appear on virtually every page.--Francisco J. Ayala, University of California, Irvine John C. Avise, one of the greatest naturalists and evolutionary biologists of the modern era, takes us on a fascinating journey through the amazing diversity of pregnancy-related phenomena in the natural world. His engaging prose is punctuated by wonderful illustrations and startling factoids. Throughout, he weaves an evolutionary backstory and produces a comprehensive survey of reproductive modes in a vast array of organisms. The result is a book that should be high on the reading list of anyone interested in reproductive biology or the evolution of parental care.--Adam Jones, Texas A&M University A fun read, full of interesting natural history, and insights into evolutionary patterns and processes... This one will remain within arm's length on my desk as I prepare next quarter's lectures.--Vincent J. Lynch Ecology (01/01/0001) Avise distills an enormous body of research--some of it his own--into a lucid presentation of two themes. One is the remarkably diverse natural history of pregnancy, which includes oddities like male pregnancy in seahorses or mother frogs that incubate tadpoles in their stomachs, thus equating regurgitation with birth. The second is the current scientific thinking for the evolution of this diversity. Avise emphasizes that pregnancy is not the product of an adaptive, harmonious relationship between mother and offspring; it is instead shaped by conflicts between fathers, mothers and offspring. This is a lively, informative book.--David Reznick, Author of The Origin Then and Now: An Interpretic Guide to the Origin of Species Evolutionary Perspectives on Pregnancy is chock-full of surprises. In addition to pregnant mammals, you'll find pregnant fishes and reptiles, molluscs and sea urchins, and even worms and insects. You'll find pregnant males as well. I don't know of any other book where one could find all this remarkable information, biologically significant and evolution enlightening. Brief curiosity tidbits, from mythology, literature, and history appear boxed on virtually every page. They are delightful and informative. Evolutionary Perspectives in Pregnancy is very well written and easy to read, one more masterpiece that John Avise will be proud to add to his previous ones.--Francisco J. Ayala, University Professor and Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine John Avise, one of the greatest naturalists and evolutionary biologists of the modern era, takes us on a fascinating journey through the amazing diversity of pregnancy-related phenomena that occur in the natural world. The engaging prose is punctuated by wonderful illustrations and startling factoids. Throughout, Avise weaves an evolutionary backstory and produces a comprehensive survey of reproductive modes in a vast array of organisms. The result is a book that should be high on the reading list of anyone interested in reproductive biology or the evolution of parental care.--Adam Jones, Texas A&M University Avise distills an enormous body of research (some of it his own) into a lucid presentation of two themes. First, he describes the natural history of pregnancy, which is far more varied and interesting than the mundane pregnancy of mammals. He details oddities that range from male pregnancy in seahorses to male frogs that incubate developing larvae in their throat pouches to female frogs that incubate larvae in their stomachs, thus equating birth with regurgitation. He then presents the current scientific thinking for the evolution of this diversity. It is not the product of an adaptive, harmonious relationship between mother and offspring. It is instead shaped by conflicts between fathers, mothers and offspring.--David Reznick, University of California Riverside

... Avise has painstakingly compiled a vast amount of information and skillfully organized and presented it in words that anyone of average intelligence can understand. We commend him for a well-researched, highly readable, and wonderfully delightful book.-- BizIndia Book Reviews An excellent read for anyone interested in one of the most basic mechanisms of natural selection.... Highly recommended.-- Choice Comprehensive.... Beautifully crafted and considerate.-- The Biologist John C. Avise, one of the greatest naturalists and evolutionary biologists of the modern era, takes us on a fascinating journey through the amazing diversity of pregnancy-related phenomena in the natural world. His engaging prose is punctuated by wonderful illustrations and startling factoids. Throughout, he weaves an evolutionary backstory and produces a comprehensive survey of reproductive modes in a vast array of organisms. The result is a book that should be high on the reading list of anyone interested in reproductive biology or the evolution of parental care.--Adam Jones, Texas A&M University A fun read, full of interesting natural history, and insights into evolutionary patterns and processes... This one will remain within arm's length on my desk as I prepare next quarter's lectures.--Vincent J. Lynch Ecology Avise distills an enormous body of research into a lucid presentation of two themes. One is the remarkably diverse natural history of pregnancy, which includes oddities like male pregnancy in seahorses or mother frogs that incubate tadpoles in their stomachs, thus equating regurgitation with birth. The second is the current scientific thinking for the evolution of this diversity. Avise emphasizes that pregnancy is not the product of an adaptive, harmonious relationship between mother and offspring; it is instead shaped by conflicts between fathers, mothers, and offspring.--David Reznick, author of The Origin Then and Now: An Interpretive Guide to the Origin of Species Evolutionary Perspectives on Pregnancy is chock-full of surprises. In addition to pregnant mammals, you will find pregnant fishes and reptiles, mollusks and sea urchins, and even worms and insects. You will find pregnant males as well. I don't know of any other book where one could find all this remarkable information, biologically significant and evolution-enlightening. Delightful and informative tidbits from mythology, literature, and history appear on virtually every page.--Francisco J. Ayala, University of California, Irvine

Author Information

John C. Avise is a Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Irvine, and an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. Having pioneered and popularized molecular approaches in ecology, natural history, and evolutionary genetics, he has received national and international awards for career contributions to ornithology, molecular ecology, biogeography, marine biology, and wildlife conservation. His most recent book with Columbia University Press is Hermaphroditism: A Primer on the Biology, Ecology, and Evolution of Dual Sexuality.

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