Modern evolutionary synthesis

The modern evolutionary synthesis (often referred to simply as the modern synthesis or the evolutionary synthesis), neo-Darwinian synthesis or neo-Darwinism, generally denotes the combination of Charles Darwin's theory of the evolution of species by natural selection, Gregor Mendel's theory of genetics as the basis for biological inheritance, and mathematical population genetics. Major figures in the development of the modern synthesis include Thomas Hunt Morgan, Ronald Fisher, Theodosius Dobzhansky, J.B.S. Haldane, Sewall Wright, William D. Hamilton, Cyril Darlington, Julian Huxley, Ernst Mayr, George Gaylord Simpson, and G. Ledyard Stebbins. Essentially, the modern synthesis (or neo-Darwinism) introduced the connection between two important discoveries; the units of evolution (genes) with the mechanism of evolution (selection). It also represents a unification of several branches of biology that previously had little in common, particularly genetics, cytology, systematics, botany and paleontology.

Further advances

The modern evolutionary synthesis continued to be developed and refined after the initial establishment in the 1930s and 1940s. The most notable paradigm shift was the so-called Williams revolution, after George C. Williams presented a gene-centric view of evolution in the 1960s.

Related Topics:
Paradigm shift - Williams revolution - George C. Williams

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The synthesis as it exists now has extended the scope of the Darwinian idea of natural selection, specifically to include subsequent scientific discoveries and concepts unknown to Darwin such as DNA and genetics that allow rigorous, in many cases mathematical, analyses of phenomena such as kin selection, altruism, and speciation.

Related Topics:
DNA - Genetics - Kin selection - Altruism - Speciation

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A particular interpretation of neo-Darwinism most commonly associated with Richard Dawkins asserts that the gene is the only true unit of selection. Dawkins further extended the Darwinian idea to include non-biological systems exhibiting the same type of selective behavior of the 'fittest' such as memes in culture.

Related Topics:
Richard Dawkins - Unit of selection - Meme

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See also: Population genetics

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