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BOOK REVIEWS (Pp Human Ethology Bulletin, 25(4), 2010 5 reached this stage, any large environmental changes would lead to the species’ extinction BOOK REVIEWS (pp. 141‐142). While this theory, which he calls “Frozen Frozen Evolution: Plasticity” sounds plausible and is the primary topic of the book, the argument is not as strong Or that’s not the way it is, as it could be due to the inclusion of numerous Mr. Darwin asides that might confuse the reader. Many of these asides are worthy of mention, but are By Jaroslav Flegr completely unnecessary in this book, especially Charles University in Prague Press, 2008, $20.99, since the book might be read by those new to 224 pp. ISBN 978‐80‐200‐1526‐6 the field. In fact, the concluding chapter of the [http://www.frozenevolution.com/frozen‐ book states that the intended audience is young evolution‐book] people, particularly high school and university students (p. 217). I am in good position to Reviewed by Catherine S. Reeve assess the success of meeting this aim, having Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 only recently completed an undergraduate Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA, degree in psychology. In general, I believe that M3J 1P3 [E‐mail: [email protected]] this book presents an intriguing idea (i.e., Frozen Plasticity), but that students without a Jaroslav Flegr’s Frozen Evolution, or that’s not the considerable background in the fields of way it is, Mr. Darwin (with a further subtitle of evolution, ecology, and genetics may feel Farewell to the selfish gene), is his second book on overwhelmed by the material. the topic of evolution. The book begins with a short introduction of Darwinian evolution and After opening with a short introduction, Flegr the historical context in which it was derived. spends the next two chapters providing a Flegr wastes no time presenting his opinion on background in Darwinian evolution and Darwinism, boldly stating “the manner of genetics rather than launching into the details formation and development of species through of his argument for Frozen Plasticity. In the action of natural selection is different than Chapter 2, Flegr begins with a lesson on how to that described by Darwin and that modern write a scientific paper, using his own study on textbooks attempt to show us” (p. 10). As Rh positive and Rh negative individuals and opposed to classic Darwinian evolution, the their resistance or susceptibility to argument put forth by Flegr is that species can toxoplasmosis as the example. Although the only vary from their original state to a limited fundamentals of the paper writing process are extent and therefore can adapt to necessary for beginning students, using an environmental changes only until sufficient example of toxoplasmosis resistance is likely to resistance forces them to break and fall into perplex many students. Although the intention extinction. He posits that there are two life is admirable, this section does not allow the rest stages: [1] evolutionary plasticity, where the of the chapter to follow logically, as the species under consideration can change its remainder of the content is a condensed properties in response to environmental background on Darwinian evolution. That selection pressures and [2] a period of frozen being said, Flegr does well to emphasize the plasticity. During this latter period, the species importance of Darwin’s discovery in the given responds to environmental pressures only historical context. He makes it known that temporarily. Therefore, once the species has theories proposing the formation of adaptive 6 Human Ethology Bulletin, 25(4), 2010 traits in living organisms had been put forth processes to which it is exposed. This concept is before Darwin’s time, but it was Darwin who extended to explain the structure and presented a mechanism to explain what drove organization of populations. After a well‐ these adaptations: natural selection. While this described interpretation of the hawk‐dove knowledge is important in the study of model of competitive strategies and evolution, students might have difficulty in evolutionary stable strategies, Flegr points out focusing on the main tenets of Darwinian that the stable strategy in no way needs to be evolution itself, due to unnecessary, distracting the one that ensures maximum fitness. Thus, he asides. proposes that the Darwinian idea of individuals with the highest biological fitness Chapter 3 consists of an explanation of predominating in evolution is false and Darwinian evolution’s synthesis with modern misleading. He then devotes an entire chapter genetics. A densely detailed explanation of to describing Dawkin’s well‐known Selfish basic genetics is provided, followed by Gene theory, only to dismiss it on the same superfluous information on scientific grounds: only sometimes is competition paradigms, and even mention of how “Occam’s between genes accompanied by competition for broom” is used to sweep those theories that do greatest biological fitness. not fit current scientific understanding into the unknown. Darwinian evolution and modern It is very clear that Flegr has a firm grasp on genetics are both topics that are extremely genetic modeling, as Chapters 5 and 9 are important to understanding the basis of Flegr’s packed with models. Although these models argument, it would have been good to have are likely of interest to some readers, and more extensive coverage of these areas, arguably necessary for comprehending the idea particularly since the readership is intended to of frozen plasticity, I found these parts to be be students. One the positive side, the book has highly laborious to read and am not certain that highly focused chapter summaries, which recap they actually helped rather than hindered his the main points for the reader and help to thesis. elucidate the overall building of the central argument. The final ten chapters are not as strong, and the content is again interspersed with confusing The next four chapters are far easier to asides. The chapter summaries remain useful, understand, as they are extremely well though, and may help students obtain at least a organized and elaborate on several issues in a rudimentary understanding of what is focused manner using relevant examples. presented. The crux of the book is Flegr’s Chapter 4 does a fantastic job of outlining the theory of frozen plasticity as presented in detail basic agents of evolution (e.g., types of in Chapter 11. As opposed to the earlier selection, micro and macro evolution, genetic descriptions, this section incorporates the drift, etc.) as well as population ecology. genetic basis for the evolutionary stable Chapter 5 could be the highlight of the book strategy that frozen plasticity affords. In and presents the complexity and organization subsequent chapters, Flegr offers of organisms. It is very well laid out and paleontological, genetic, and naturally interesting to read, outlining several of the occurring data that support his theory. processes that account for complexity and organization. For example, using the structure Aside from the concerns with the presentation of a crystal, Flegr examines how such an of the material, the key idea of frozen plasticity improbable structure is actually the most is very intriguing. As described above, the probable one, given the physical and chemical evolutionary plasticity of a species is limited to Human Ethology Bulletin, 25(4), 2010 7 the short period of time immediately Flegr’s theory of Frozen Plasticity, while subsequent to the initial speciation event. This obviously very well thought out and period is when the most significant changes thoroughly researched, is not entirely occur. After this stage, the species only deviates convincing. Although Flegr presents ample slightly in response to environmental pressures; evidence and genetic models to suggest its that is, it enters a period of frozen plasticity. If superiority over Darwinian evolution, the true, paleontological data from the argument as a whole is somewhat lost in the evolutionary plastic phase should be quite presentation. A more focused presentation of limited. Fossils that indicate transitional forms, the evidence directed towards geneticists and derived from a speciation event, are very rarely evolutionary biologists might earn him positive found, so the current fossil record supports this recognition, and help place Flegr’s theory in aspect of his theory. Stating that, current textbooks. As Flegr points out himself, “macroevolutionary processes can hardly be recognition for a theory can take 10 to 15 years. studies using laboratory experiments” (p. 174), It is necessary to point out however, that the Flegr uses natural incidences, such as island original Czech version of this book has already species, to find supportive data for his theory. earned him great recognition, and the quality of The limited genetic material (due to few his English adaptation is highly admirable. If he immigrants to the island), along with a variety is willing to present his theory to the necessary of unoccupied ecological niches should result audience in a more concise and straightforward in organisms with greatly derived evolutionary format, further recognition may await him. features. That is, new features should develop faster in island species than mainland species. In summary, Flegr’s argument for frozen Again, this aspect of his theory is supported in plasticity is comprehensible, but it seems nature. unlikely that students will understand the intricacies of his theory without prior solid The remaining chapters discuss the ecological understanding of genetics and Darwinian consequences of the theory of frozen plasticity evolution. Students new to the field will and how it relates to evolutionary trends. There probably need firm guidance if this book was are a few rather confusing paragraphs adopted in a course, whereas it might be preceding Flegr’s argument that the suitable for graduate students. Rather than evolutionary plasticity of sexually reproducing writing an introduction to evolutionary species increases biodiversity.
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