University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore

Includes bibliographical references (pages 181-182).

1. The synthetic theory of evolution and its development : The fact of evolution ; The modern synthetic theory of evolution ; Charles Darwin, the founder of evolutionary theory ; The impact of Mendelism ; The conflict between Darwinism and Mendelism, and its resolution.

2. The sources of variability : The nature and significance of environmental modification ; The non-inheritance of acquired modifications ; The nature of mutation ; The adaptiveness of mutations ; The relative importance of mutations with large and small effects ; The causes of mutations ; Rates of mutation and of evolution ; Mutation, recombination, and adaptation.

4. The differentiation of populations : The nature of competition ; The origin of complex adaptive systems ; The evolution of apparently non-adaptive differences ; Types of natural selection.

5. Reproductive isolation and the origin of species : Racial differences within species ; Species as distinct and sympatric populations ; The nature of reproductive isolation ; Prezygotic mechanisms ; Postzygotic mechanisms ; The genetic basis of isolating mechanisms ; Sibling species ; The evolution of isolating mechanisms.

6. The role of hybridization in evolution : Evolutionary definition and immediate effects of hybridization ; Hybridization in Old and New environments ; Stabilization of hybrid progeny ; The phenomenon of introgression ; The origin of new characteristics via hybridization ; The role of polyploidy in plant evolution.

7. Major trends of evolution : The concept of evolutionary time ; The fossil record ; The dating of fossils ; The origin of higher categories ; Rates and trends of evolution ; The emergence of evolutionary novelty ; Evolutionary constancy.

8. Process of evolution in man : Man's position in the animal kingdom ; The fossil record of man ; Population structure and selection in human evolution ; Organic evolution and cultural evolution ; Evolution in the future.