title: Model species in evo-devo: a philosophical perspective.
abstract: A model is a representation of or an analogy for something else; in a biological context, the term often refers to organisms or species that serve as a widely used platform for experimental research. In developmental biology, an extraordinarily detailed understanding of fundamental genes and mechanisms has been built around a few core models including Drosophila, mouse, Caenorhabditis elegans, Arabidopsis, and zebrafish. The use of model species entails a series of epistemological issues and commitments regarding similarity, generalization, and the balance between representation and accessibility. In addition, the power of a given model is highly context-dependent, and the core models of developmental biology may not suffice for evo-devo questions. An epistemological perspective can clarify the complementary roles of standard and emerging models in evo-devo, as well as inform decisions about when new models are needed, and criteria for choosing them.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bolker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D005075:Biological Evolution; D015509:Developmental Biology; D019359:Knowledge; D023421:Models, Animal