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Niche construction: A pervasive force in evolution?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 September 2001

Wim J. van der Steen
Affiliation:
Faculties of Biology and Philosophy, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlandswvds@bio.vu.nl

Abstract

Industrial melanism, according to the traditional explanation, amounts to niche construction since it involves changes in predation pressure. Indeed, it would be difficult to imagine selection without niche construction. This cannot be what Laland, Odling-Smee & Feldman mean. They offer convincing examples, but they should provide a better definition of “niche construction” to indicate how their view supplements traditional evolutionary biology.

Type
Brief Report
Copyright
© 2000 Cambridge University Press

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