How did the thousands of different mammal species on the planet today evolve from a shrew-like, nocturnal insectivore that lived 200 million years ago? What allowed our ancestors to survive the cataclysmic impact that wiped out the dinosaurs and become one of the most successful lineages on Earth? How did mammals adapt to myriad lifestyles and populate every corner of the globe, from oceans and deserts to tropical forests and mountains?
In The Ascent of Mammals, John Reilly weaves a tapestry of stories about the fascinating shared history of the egg-laying monotremes, the pouch-bearing marsupials and the ubiquitous placentals – including Homo sapiens – that make up the mammalian world. Drawing on the cascade of unforeseen insights into evolution provided by modern genetic research, Reilly describes the development of key mammalian traits (such as mammary glands, warm-bloodedness, and a three-boned middle ear) as well as species-specific adaptations. The book explores the intriguing geographical origins and ancient global dispersal routes of many mammalian families, as well as unexpected kinships that have necessitated the redrawing of family trees.
Each chapter centres on a particular species and a specific evolutionary mechanism – including gene duplication, gene loss, hybridisation, imprinting, pseudogenes, and retrogenes – and considers their relevance for evolution on a broader scale. Accessibly written and complemented by illustrations and colour photographs, this is a groundbreaking account of science’s ability to unravel the truth about mammals.
Available in hardback format for £30 from Pelagic Publishing