Paper: The evolution of large size: how does Cope's Rule work?

From: Robert Karl Stonjek (rstonjek_at_bigpond.net.au)
Date: 12/22/04 

Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 19:17:00 +0000 (UTC)

Research Focus
The evolution of large size: how does Cope's Rule work?
David W.E. Hone and Michael J. Benton

Department of Earth Sciences, Wills Memorial Building, Queens Road, Bristol,
UK, BS8 1RJ

Cope's Rule is the tendency for organisms in evolving lineages to increase
in size over time. The concept is detailed in many textbooks, but has rarely
been demonstrated. Many suggestions of the benefits of large body size
exist, but none has yet been confirmed empirically. Using a large-scale
analysis of recent studies, Kingsolver and Pfennig have now shown how size
benefits survival, mating success and fecundity, and they provide convincing
arguments for a mechanism that is capable of driving Cope's Rule.

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Posted by
Robert Karl Stonjek