Evolution -- Natural selection -- Adaptation -- Competition -- Genetics basics & mutations -- Transposable elements, viruses, and genomes -- Horizontal gene transfer -- Neutral evolution -- Genetic drift -- Environment -- Development -- Symbiosis -- Speciation -- Micro- and macroevolution -- Homology -- Imperfection -- The fossil record and the history of life -- Contingency and evolution -- Opportunity -- Phylogeny : the tree of life -- Progress : purpose?

"Evolution: Components and Mechanisms introduces the many recent discoveries and insights that have added to the discipline of organic evolution, and combines them with the key topics needed to gain a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of evolution. Each chapter covers an important topic or factor pertinent to a modern understanding of evolutionary theory, allowing easy access to particular topics for either study or review. Many chapters are cross-referenced. Modern evolutionary theory has expanded significantly within only the past two to three decades."--