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Nature 395, 751-752 (22 October 1998) | doi:10.1038/27338

Evolutionary biology:  The geometry of adaptation

Nick Barton1

Darwin1 explained the evolution of complex adaptations, such as the vertebrate eye, through the gradual "accumulation of innumerable slight varia- tions, each good for the individual possessor". In contrast, the early geneticists emphasized the role of major mutations, and disregarded natural selection2.