The Experts below are selected from a list of 234 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Kristin Johnson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The Return of the Phoenix: The 1963 International Congress of Zoology and American Zoologists in the Twentieth Century
    Journal of the history of biology, 2008
    Co-Authors: Kristin Johnson
    Abstract:

    This paper examines the International Congress of Zoology held in Washington D.C. in 1963 as a portrait of American Zoologists’ search for effective and rewarding relationships with both each other and the public. Organizers of the congress envisioned the congress as a last ditch effort to unify the disparate subdisciplines of zoology, overcome the barriers of specialization, and ward off the heady claims of more reductionist biologists. The problems Zoologists faced as they worked to fulfill these ambitious goals illuminate some of the challenges faced by members of the naturalist tradition as they worked to establish disciplinary unity while seeking public support in the competitive world of twentieth century science.

Virginia Gewin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

Derek L. Stemple - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A zoologist's assembly manual
    Trends in Genetics, 2002
    Co-Authors: Derek L. Stemple
    Abstract:

    Molecular Principles of Animal Developmentby Alfonso Martinez Arias and Alison StewartOxford University Press, 2002. £28.99/$42.95 pbk (410 pages) ISBN 0 19 879284 0Our understanding of how animals develop has truly blossomed over the past 25 years, largely because of the systematic application of genetic methods to the problems of development. There are several ramifications of this increased knowledge. For the first time, we are able to understand the common principles of the development of different animals at a molecular level. Indeed, whole-genome sequencing projects of a variety of animals have shown us the strong conservation of genes among animals. Coupled with the knowledge of these common principles is the further realization that most genes that are important for development are also used in adult tissues. When genes go wrong, the result is often disease. A complete understanding of development should therefore lead us to a deeper understanding of disease and possible avenues of cellular and genetic therapy. If you aren't already aware of how animal development works, then you need a good introduction to the subject.For students, newcomers to the field or anybody with an interest in biology, this new book, Molecular Principles of Animal Development, is a fantastic introduction to modern thinking about how molecules and cells interact to form an animal. The most refreshing aspect of this book is that, rather than taking an organism-based approach, Drs Martinez-Arias and Stewart have explained principles of animal development using examples drawn from the most relevant experimental system. As a result, the authors emphasize the conservation of developmental principles among animals. Although such an approach could lead into a morass of detail, the authors have struck a perfect balance between the specifics and generalities, and produced a concise description of these incredibly complex processes.The book is organized in a logical fashion that roughly follows the flow of information underlying developmental events, beginning with principles of genetics and molecular biology and moving into gene regulation. Two chapters are devoted to generation and interpretation of intercellular signals, and several following chapters detail the interactions between cells and individual cellular behaviours. For example, the authors provide a good basis for understanding what stem cells are and how they are used during development. The book concludes with a synthesis of the molecular principles, detailing important developmental decisions such as generation of lineage diversity, cell-type specification and embryonic patterning.Accompanying the well-written prose is a collection of excellent figures, which illustrate each major point. Generally, the figures include references to original publications and nicely summarize the major results of the original work. In addition, the consistency of style used in the illustrations helps guide the reader through complex ideas without constant referral to the legends.The book covers a wide range of experimental systems and methods. Using plain language, the authors carefully explain each method in sufficient detail to understand the experimental outcomes. This makes the book highly readable and widely accessible. Despite the fact that many original results are described without citation, which could be problematic, each chapter provides the reader with specific and general references from which more detailed information can be drawn. The few minor factual errors in the book should be ironed out in subsequent editions, and judging from the quality of this edition, I am sure there will be many to follow. As an introduction to our current understanding of animal development, this book is all you need.

Elizabeth Pennisi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Meeting Briefs: Zoologists Flock to U.S. Capital for Annual Assembly
    Science, 1996
    Co-Authors: Joshua Fischman, Elizabeth Pennisi
    Abstract:

    The American Society of Zoologists underwent a metamorphosis at its recent meeting in Washington, D.C. Arriving on 26 December as a zoology group, they left 4 days later as the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Metamorphosis was also under scientific consideration, as researchers examined the genetic changes allowing some frogs to leap the tadpole stage. Other topics included bat-evading beetles and a real hero shrew.

Daniel Lunney - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Can a critical reading of Zoopolis by Donaldson and Kymlicka lead to advocating dialogue between animal rights theorists and Zoologists
    Pacific Conservation Biology, 2019
    Co-Authors: Daniel Lunney
    Abstract:

    This essay is a zoologist’s response to Zoopolis. A political theory of animal rights by Donaldson and Kymlicka (2011). What drew me to look at their new approach was that geography played a part in conceptualising animal communities and, in particular, the specific focus on wild animals and urban wildlife. To oversimplify, Donaldson and Kymlicka say, much of the debate operates within one of three basic moral frameworks: a welfarist, an ecological and a basic rights approach, but none has proved capable of fundamental change. That change will only be possible, they consider, if we can develop a new moral framework that connects the treatment of animals more directly to the fundamental principles of liberal–democratic justice and human rights. A major point of agreement between Zoologists and Donaldson’s and Kymlicka’s views is that animals deserve more than being over-ridden at every encounter with human interests. A major stalling point in advocating a dialogue between animal rights theorists and Zoologists is where Donaldson and Kymlicka accept the animal rights position at the outset, rather than letting their thesis play out to see what their position might be for each geographic zone and for each species. Also, it is clear that Donaldson’s and Kymlicka’s starting point is the traditional animal rights agenda, which rules out animal research as morally illegitimate. The conservation of Australia’s fauna could not survive in that regime. Consequently, I cannot advocate dialogue between animal rights theorists and Zoologists from a critical reading of Zoopolis.

  • The missing voice: a zoologist on the consequences of feeding the world
    Australian Zoologist, 2017
    Co-Authors: Daniel Lunney
    Abstract:

    Food is central to our existence. We are keen to know about it as we are vulnerable to its lack. Biodiversity is directly affected by the human need for food. Foley, in a lead paper in National Geographic, identifies that agriculture accelerates the loss of biodiversity and that agriculture is a major driver of wildlife extinction. In the increasing concern for the animals raised and slaughtered for human food on an industrial scale, the question of the number of species, rather than the number of individuals, hardly ever enters the debate. Yet this is a point of considerable zoological interest. The lack of diversity of food options strikes a zoologist as basis for concern about how we can manage the future of our food supplies. Zooarchaeologist Juliet Clutton-Brock adds a new dimension to the debate by looking at the arrival of animals as domesticates. In Europe, she says, the driving force of domesticating animals for agriculture may have been the increasing human population. The grim story of famine in Ethiopia will repeat across the globe as the human population rises, and food crises will become the ethical flashpoint of a larger problem of too many people for the earth to sustain. We need to face the converse of the food shortage more squarely, and that is the issue of the overabundance of people. An underlying concern for Zoologists is that the subject areas of zoology, such as species survival, ecosystem management and conserving biodiversity, are poorly covered, or not even mentioned, in so many writings on food, food ethics, agriculture and economic growth, yet zoology needs to be on the table at every discussion. The zoologist has been a missing voice and now must be heard.

  • “Throw a koala on the barbie” (Daily Telegraph 15 July 1997): an analysis of wildlife reporting in two daily newspapers
    Australian Zoologist, 2003
    Co-Authors: Daniel Lunney, Alison Matthews
    Abstract:

    We undertook an analysis of wildlife reporting in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Daily Telegraph over a year to October 1997 to determine which species and issues were the favourites, what were the angles, context and language of the presentation, and how scientists, especially Zoologists, fared in the reporting. The following conclusions were drawn: there was a sustained media interest in animals; animal welfare was the dominant theme; risk to humans was the second most important issue; and although scientists were consistently mentioned, science as a subject had only a low profile in the daily papers. Australian animals, rather than international animals and issues, dominated the reporting. Mammals received most attention, followed by birds, reptiles and fish. Invertebrates were poorly represented and most mentions of these were hostile. There was a select group of journalists who serve Zoologists and zoology well, and Zoologists wanting to share their research with the general public were given scop...