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Evolutionary analyses should include pluralistic and falsifiable hypotheses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2003

Craig W. LaMunyon
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Davie, FL 33314 clamunyo@fau.edu
Todd K. Shackelford
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Davie, FL 33314 tshackel@fau.edu http://www.psy.fau.edu/tshackelford/

Abstract

Andrews et al. attempt to clarify the standards for determining whether traits are adaptations. The authors argue that tests of adaptationist hypotheses best proceed by assessing the consistency of the traits with the proposed standards. Critical tests of such standards must assess inconsistency – hypotheses must be falsifiable. To fully understand trait evolution, we must consider both adaptive and nonadaptive hypotheses.

Type
Brief Report
Copyright
© 2002 Cambridge University Press

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