title: The role of internal and external constructive processes in evolution.
abstract: The architects of the Modern Synthesis viewed development as an unfolding of a form already latent in the genes. However, developing organisms play a far more active, constructive role in both their own development and their evolution than the Modern Synthesis proclaims. Here we outline what is meant by constructive processes in development and evolution, emphasizing how constructive development is a shared feature of many of the research developments central to the developing Extended Evolutionary Synthesis. Our article draws out the parallels between constructive physiological processes expressed internally and in the external environment (niche construction), showing how in each case they play important and not fully recognized evolutionary roles by modifying and biasing natural selection.
authors.affiliation: School of Biology, University of St Andrews, UK knl1@st-andrews.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laland
authors.affiliation: Mansfield College, University of Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Odling-Smee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, State University of New York (SUNY), Syracuse, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D015509:Developmental Biology; D010829:Physiological Phenomena / Q000235:genetics*; D012641:Selection, Genetic