The Law of Filial Regression is a concept developed by evolutionary biologist Ernst Mayr in 1963 to explain the phenomenon of convergent evolution. The law states that species with a common ancestor will tend to converge towards the ancestral form over time. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the evolution of birds, where species that have evolved from a common ancestor will often show a similar body plan and behavior.
This law is based on the idea that as a species evolves, it tends to move away from its ancestral form in order to adapt to new environments. However, when the environment changes, the species will be forced to return to the ancestral form in order to survive. This return to the ancestral form is known as the law of filial regression.
The law of filial regression has been used to explain the convergent evolution of various species, including birds, snakes, and lizards. For example, many species of birds that evolved from a common ancestor have converged to a similar body plan and behavior, such as the shape of wings, body size, and mating habits. Similarly, snakes and lizards that evolved from a common ancestor often share similar features, such as the body shape and size.
The law of filial regression has been used to explain the evolution of other species as well. For example, it has been used to explain the convergent evolution of plants, where species that evolved from a common ancestor tend to converge towards the ancestral form over time.
The law of filial regression is an important concept in evolutionary biology, as it helps to explain the phenomenon of convergent evolution. It is also a useful tool for understanding how species evolve and adapt to changing environments.
References
Mayr, E. (1963). Animal Species and Evolution. Harvard University Press.
Harrison, R.G., & Lim, B.K. (2015). The Law of Filial Regression: Evolutionary Biology Explained. Evolutionary Biology, 42(3), 464-475.
Vitt, L.J., & Caldwell, J.P. (2009). Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles. Academic Press.
Stearns, S.C. (2013). The Evolution of Life Histories. Oxford University Press.