Os estudos experimentais de Herbert Spencer Jennings com protozoários (1908-1912): aspectos evolutivos e genéticos

Abstract

The present thesis deals with Herbert Spencer Jennings (1868 1947) contributions to genetics and evolution between 1908 and 1912. During this period, this American biologist developed a series of experiments with Paramecium, and attempted to test the action of selection on those organisms. The aim of this thesis is to analyse Jennings experimental results, trying to elucidate whether his conclusions were well grounded according to the patterns of scientific rationality of his time or not, taking in account the contributions of his colleagues on the subject. Besides that, it will try to situate Jennings contributions in the history of genetics and evolution trying to find out if some labels applied to him or his contributions such as pioneer of biological investigation ; the one who changed the directions of biology ; or who published and presented works clear and coherent , were fair. This thesis contains an introduction and five chapters. Chapter 1 deals with the hereditary and evolutionary precedents as well as Jennings general outlook concerning the subject. Chapter 2 presents some information related to the experimental material employed by Jennings in his experiments. Chapter 3 discusses some results related to heredity and evolution obtained by Jennings in his experiments with Paramecium developed from 1908 to 1910. Chapter 4 discusses the results got by Jennings in his experiments developed from 1911 to 1912, in which he tried to elucidate some features of evolution and heredity in such organism. Chapter 5 presents some final remarks on the subject. This study led to the conclusion that Jennings conclusions (such as that natural selection does not act on pure lines, and that conjugation does not rejuvenate those organisms) were well grounded. However, he cannot be regarded as a pioneer of biological investigation , since several other authors dedicated themselves to it before his time. The scope of this thesis does not allow us to answer whether Jennings contributions changed the directions of biology. But certainly his works were clear and coherent and his contributions enriched the history of genetics and evolution