title: A classification of possible routes of Darwinian evolution.
abstract: A classification of four possible routes of Darwinian evolution is presented. These are serial direct evolution, parallel direct evolution, elimination of functional redundancy, and adoption from a different function. This classification provides a conceptual framework within which to investigate the accessibility by Darwinian evolution of complex biological structures.
authors.affiliation: 2505 Tomin Tower, 3-10-1 Iidabashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0072, Japan.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Thornhill
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Ussery
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002965:Classification; D008954:Models, Biological