Is it Time for an Updated ‘Eco-Evo-Devo’ Definition of Evolution by Natural Selection?

Abstract

A lot of science has passed under the bridge since the classic definition of evolution as a change in gene frequencies in a population became common. Much knowledge has accumulated since then about evolution, heredity, ecology, development, phenotypic plasticity, niche construction and genetic drift. Building on Van Valen’s description of evolution as “the control of development by ecology,” it is suggested that the classic definition be replaced by a updated ‘eco‐evo‐devo’ definition of evolution by natural selection which acknowledges this accumulation.