Szathmáry Eörs
Center for the Conceptual Foundations of Science, Parmenides Foundation, D-82049 Munich, Germany; Department of Plant Systematics, Ecology and Theoretical Biology, Biological Institute, Eötvös University, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; and MTA-ELTE Theoretical Biology and Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015 Aug 18;112(33):10104-11. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1421398112. Epub 2015 Apr 2.
The impressive body of work on the major evolutionary transitions in the last 20 y calls for a reconstruction of the theory although a 2D account (evolution of informational systems and transitions in individuality) remains. Significant advances include the concept of fraternal and egalitarian transitions (lower-level units like and unlike, respectively). Multilevel selection, first without, then with, the collectives in focus is an important explanatory mechanism. Transitions are decomposed into phases of origin, maintenance, and transformation (i.e., further evolution) of the higher level units, which helps reduce the number of transitions in the revised list by two so that it is less top-heavy. After the transition, units show strong cooperation and very limited realized conflict. The origins of cells, the emergence of the genetic code and translation, the evolution of the eukaryotic cell, multicellularity, and the origin of human groups with language are reconsidered in some detail in the light of new data and considerations. Arguments are given why sex is not in the revised list as a separate transition. Some of the transitions can be recursive (e.g., plastids, multicellularity) or limited (transitions that share the usual features of major transitions without a massive phylogenetic impact, such as the micro- and macronuclei in ciliates). During transitions, new units of reproduction emerge, and establishment of such units requires high fidelity of reproduction (as opposed to mere replication).
过去20年里关于重大进化转变的大量研究成果，要求对该理论进行重构，尽管二维阐述（信息系统的进化和个体性的转变）仍然存在。重大进展包括兄弟式和平等主义转变的概念（分别指较低层次单元相似和不相似的情况）。多层次选择先是不考虑、然后考虑处于焦点的集体，是一种重要的解释机制。转变被分解为更高层次单元的起源、维持和转变（即进一步进化）阶段，这有助于将修订列表中的转变数量减少两个，使其不那么头重脚轻。转变之后，单元表现出强烈的合作，实际冲突非常有限。根据新的数据和思考，对细胞的起源、遗传密码和翻译的出现、真核细胞的进化、多细胞性以及有语言的人类群体的起源进行了更详细的重新审视。文中给出了为何性别在修订列表中不作为单独转变的论据。一些转变可能是递归的（如质体、多细胞性）或有限的（具有主要转变的常见特征但没有大规模系统发育影响的转变，如纤毛虫中的微核和大核）。在转变过程中，新的繁殖单元出现，建立这样的单元需要高保真的繁殖（与单纯的复制相对）。
