AMUNDSON, R.: Evo versus Devo: Methodological Conflicts in the Treatment of Variation

Evolutionary and developmental biology were independent enterprises for most of the twentieth century. Differences in goals led to differences and even inconsistencies in methodologies and practices. One of the tasks of an integrative program of evolutionary developmental biology will be to negotiate these inconsistencies. Among the most difficult may be conflicts in the ways variation is dealt with. For example, the evolutionary antagonism towards typology may be irreconcilable with such organizational developmental concepts as the Bauplan. Is it possible to be a population thinker while simultaneously conceiving of evolution as changes in developmental processes?