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The extended evolutionary synthesis

Kevin LalandTobias UllerMarcus FeldmanEva JablonkaGerd Müller

This page delivers no verdict; it presents claims and evidence with their sources. No theory in science is absolute. Method

For everyone

A group of biologists argues that developmental processes, environment-dependent changes in form, epigenetic inheritance and organisms' modification of their own surroundings (niche construction) play a larger role in directing evolution than assumed, and that the current theory should therefore be extended. Other biologists argue that these phenomena are already accommodated within the existing theory.

For specialists

Laland et al. (2015) propose four themes: developmental bias, phenotypic plasticity, an extended notion of inheritance and niche construction. The key claim is that causation runs reciprocally, not one way from gene to phenotype. Wray, Hoekstra and colleagues accept that these processes exist but argue that they require no change to the core structure of the theory and are already studied within population genetics and evo-devo.

Claims

Positions

Proponents of the extended synthesis
The theory needs a rethink; the standard view, by placing genes at the centre of causation, misses important processes.[2][1]
Biologists defending the standard theory
No rethink is needed; the processes mentioned are already part of the theory and well studied.[2]

Connections

Parent

Views on the origin and diversity of living things

Builds on

The modern synthesis (neo-Darwinism)

Related

Lamarck and the inheritance of acquired characteristics

This topic is a stop on these journeys

Views on the origin of living things · stop 10/11

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Sources

  1. ArticleLaland, K. N. et al. (2015). The extended evolutionary synthesis: its structure, assumptions and predictions. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 282, 20151019DOI 10.1098/rspb.2015.1019archive
  2. ArticleLaland, K. et al.; Wray, G. A. et al. (2014). Does evolutionary theory need a rethink?. Nature 514, 161–164DOI 10.1038/514161aarchive

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Cite this page

APA

Athena contributors. (2026). The extended evolutionary synthesis. Athena: The tree of human knowledge. Retrieved November 1, 2026, from https://latifkedi.github.io/athena/en/d/genisletilmis-sentez/

BibTeX
@misc{athena_genisletilmis_sentez,
  title        = {The extended evolutionary synthesis},
  author       = {{Athena contributors}},
  year         = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://latifkedi.github.io/athena/en/d/genisletilmis-sentez/}},
  note         = {Athena: The tree of human knowledge. Accessed: 2026-11-01}
}

Added: September 27, 2026 · Last changed: September 28, 2026 · Page history

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