In a new book titled "Evolution Evolving," Stanford biologist Marcus Feldman and other scientists explore how the process of evolution has itself evolved over time. The book, published by Princeton University Press, aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding life's diversity beyond traditional genetics.
Feldman, known for his work in cultural evolution, explains how traits can be passed down nonbiologically. He cites humpback whales' lobtail feeding as an example of learned behavior spreading among individuals. "We think these kinds of behaviors are far more important than has been generally recognized in classical evolution textbooks," he states.
The role of the microbiome is another focus area. Feldman discusses woodrats in the Mojave Desert that digest toxic creosote thanks to bacteria acquired from their environment. This challenges traditional views by showing microbiome transmission outside genetic inheritance.
Epigenetics also reshapes understanding of natural selection. Feldman describes experiments where mice conditioned to fear exhibit DNA changes affecting future generations. "You've got fear being transmitted – to offspring and grand-offspring – with learning as its basis," he notes.
The book revisits Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's idea that organisms might influence their own evolution through acquired traits. Feldman gives examples like bichir fish adapting physically when raised on land and human cultural behaviors impacting biological aspects such as lifespan.
Feldman argues for updating evolutionary education to reflect these modern insights: "It’s on us as academics to try to make our students familiar with the various disciplines that are being incorporated into the notions of evolution."
Marcus Feldman's affiliations include Stanford Bio-X, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, and Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute.
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For further inquiries, contact Marijane Leonard at marijane.leonard@stanford.edu.
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