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Scientists prefer them blind: the history of hypogean fish research

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The biology of hypogean fishes

Part of the book series: Developments in environmental biology of fishes ((DEBF,volume 21))

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Synopsis

The history of hypogean fish research has been strongly influenced by neo-Lamarckism (including orthogenesis) and typological thinking. Only in the last few decades neo-Darwinism has made any inroads in the research approach to this subject. The majority of the most distinguished and productive hypogean fish researchers have used their research subjects to confirm their own views on evolution rather than to use those subjects as a spring of knowledge to enrich mainstream biological thought. Of these views, I found that the most perversive of all is the notion of evolutionary ‘progress’ that has led many researchers to envision hypogean fishes as prime examples of ‘regressive’ evolution. I propose that the utilization of hypogean fishes for the study of convergent evolution should catapult these subjects of research into prime objects of evolutionary ideas.

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  1. Environmental Studies Program and Department of Biology, Macalester College, 1600 Grand Ave., St. Paul, MN, 55105-1899, USA

    Aldemaro Romero

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Romero, A. (2001). Scientists prefer them blind: the history of hypogean fish research. In: Romero, A. (eds) The biology of hypogean fishes. Developments in environmental biology of fishes, vol 21. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9795-1_3

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