nomogenesis An evolutionary model holding that the direction of evolution operates to some degree by rules or laws, independently of natural selection. For a long time it was regarded as an outmoded hypothesis, but recently it has been maintained that it corresponds rather well with observations of evolution in the fossil record, and that such mechanisms as heterochrony and molecular drive would produce nomogenetic effects. See also ARISTOGENESIS; ENTELECHY; ORTHOGENESIS.

nomogenesis An evolutionary model holding that the direction of evolution operates to some degree by sets of rules or laws, independently of natural selection. For a long time it was regarded as an outmoded hypothesis but it has recently been maintained that it corresponds rather well with observations of evolution in the fossil record and that such mechanisms as heterochrony and molecular drive would produce nomogenetic effects. See also aristogenesis; entelechy; and orthogenesis.

nomogenesis An evolutionary model holding that the direction of evolution operates to some degree by sets of rules, or laws, independently of natural selection. For a long time it was regarded as an outmoded hypothesis but it has recently been maintained that it corresponds rather well with observations of evolution in the fossil record and that such mechanisms as heterochrony and molecular drive would produce nomogenetic effects.