Karl Gegenbaur
Encyclopedia
Karl Gegenbaur was a German
anatomist and professor
who demonstrated that the field of comparative anatomy
offers important evidence supporting of the theory of evolution. As a professor of anatomy
at the University of Jena (1855–1873) and at the University of Heidelberg (1873–1903), Carl Gegenbaur was a strong supporter of Charles Darwin
's theory of organic evolution, having taught and worked, beginning in 1858, with Ernst Haeckel
, 8 years his junior.
Gegenbaur's book Grundzüge der vergleichenden Anatomie
(1859; Elements of Comparative Anatomy) became the standard textbook, at the time, of evolutionary morphology
, emphasizing that structural similarities among various animals provide clues to their evolutionary history. Carl Gegenbaur noted that the most reliable clue to evolutionary history is homology
, the comparison of anatomical parts which have a common evolutionary origin.
Gegenbaur had been a student of Albert von Kölliker
, Rudolf Virchow
, Heinrich Müller
and Franz Leydig
(1821–1908).
, Bavaria
in 1826, and he entered the University of Würzburg
as a student in 1845. After taking his degree in 1851, he spent some time in travelling in Italy
and Sicily
, before returning to Wurzburg as Privatdozent
in 1854. In 1855, he was appointed extraordinary professor of anatomy at the University of Jena, and in 1858, he became the ordinary professor, where after 1865, his former student and fellow-worker Ernst Haeckel
was professor of zoology
. In 1873, Carl Gegenbaur was appointed to Heidelberg
, where he was professor of anatomy and director of the Anatomical Institute until his retirement in 1901. He died on 14 June 1903, at Heidelberg
.
The work by which Gegenbaur is best known is his Grundriss der vergleichenden Anatomie (Leipzig, 1874; 2nd edition, 1878), translated into English by W. F. Jeffrey Bell (as Elements of Comparative Anatomy, 1878), with additions by E. Ray Lankester. While recognizing the importance of comparative embryology
in the study of descent, Gegenbaur laid stress on the higher value of comparative anatomy
as the basis of the study of homologies, i.e. of the relations between corresponding parts in different animals, as, for example, the arm of man, with the foreleg of a horse, and with the wing of a fowl. A distinctive piece of work was effected by him in 1871 in supplementing the evidence adduced by Huxley in refutation of the skull
-vertebrae theory: the theory of the origin of the skull from expanded vertebrae, which, formulated independently by Goethe and Oken
, had been championed by Owen
. Huxley demonstrated that the skull is built up of cartilaginous pieces; Gegenbaur showed that in the lowest (gristly) fishes, where hints of the original vertebrae might be most expected, the skull is an unsegmented gristly brain-box, and that in higher forms, the vertebral nature of the skull cannot be maintained, since many of the bones, notably those along the top of the skull, arise in the skin.
In 1858, the physician Ernst Haeckel
studied under Carl Gegenbaur at Jena
, receiving a doctorate
in zoology
(after his medical degree
), and became a professor at the same institution, the University of Jena (see: Ernst Haeckel
). Ernst Haeckel
expanded on the ideas of Gegenbaur while advocating the concepts of Charles Darwin
.
In 1861, he published "Ueber den Bau und die Entwickelung der Wirbelthier-Eier mit partielleer Dotterbildung" ("Proof that the ovum is unicellular in all vertebrates", Arch. Anat. Phys., 1861.8: 461-529), a fundamental proof in embryology
.
Gegenbaur learned techniques as a student of Albert von Kölliker
, Rudolf Virchow
, Heinrich Müller
and Franz Leydig
(1821–1908). Carl Gegenbaur had a strong influence on his environment, with his colleagues Matthias Jakob Schleiden
, Emil Huschke
, Ernst Haeckel
, and Hermann Klaatsch
(1863–1916).
Carl Gegenbaur also influenced his students, including: Max Fürbringer
, Richard Hertwig
, Oskar Hertwig
, Emil Rosenberg
, Ambrosius Hubrecht
, Johan Erik Vesti Boas
(1855–1935), Hans Friedrich Gadow
, M. Sagemehl, N. Goronowitsch, H. K. Corning, C. Röse and S. Paulli.
Gegenbaur's research program of comparative morphology incorporating ontogeny and phylogeny is still evident in the burgeoning field of evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo).
"experiencing and striving").
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
anatomist and professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
who demonstrated that the field of comparative anatomy
Comparative anatomy
Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of organisms. It is closely related to evolutionary biology and phylogeny .-Description:...
offers important evidence supporting of the theory of evolution. As a professor of anatomy
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
at the University of Jena (1855–1873) and at the University of Heidelberg (1873–1903), Carl Gegenbaur was a strong supporter of Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
Charles Robert Darwin FRS was an English naturalist. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestry, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection.He published his theory...
's theory of organic evolution, having taught and worked, beginning in 1858, with Ernst Haeckel
Ernst Haeckel
The "European War" became known as "The Great War", and it was not until 1920, in the book "The First World War 1914-1918" by Charles à Court Repington, that the term "First World War" was used as the official name for the conflict.-Research:...
, 8 years his junior.
Gegenbaur's book Grundzüge der vergleichenden Anatomie
(1859; Elements of Comparative Anatomy) became the standard textbook, at the time, of evolutionary morphology
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
, emphasizing that structural similarities among various animals provide clues to their evolutionary history. Carl Gegenbaur noted that the most reliable clue to evolutionary history is homology
Homology (biology)
Homology forms the basis of organization for comparative biology. In 1843, Richard Owen defined homology as "the same organ in different animals under every variety of form and function". Organs as different as a bat's wing, a seal's flipper, a cat's paw and a human hand have a common underlying...
, the comparison of anatomical parts which have a common evolutionary origin.
Gegenbaur had been a student of Albert von Kölliker
Albert von Kölliker
Albert von Kölliker was a Swiss anatomist and physiologist.-Biography:Albert Kölliker was born in Zurich, Switzerland. His early education was carried on in Zurich, and he entered the university there in 1836...
, Rudolf Virchow
Rudolf Virchow
Rudolph Carl Virchow was a German doctor, anthropologist, pathologist, prehistorian, biologist and politician, known for his advancement of public health...
, Heinrich Müller
Heinrich Müller (physiologist)
Heinrich Müller was a German anatomist and professor at the University of Würzburg. He is best known for his work in comparative anatomy and his studies involving the eye.He was a native of Castell, Lower Franconia...
and Franz Leydig
Franz Leydig
Franz von Leydig , also Franz Leydig, was a German zoologist and comparative anatomist.- Life :Franz Leydig was born on May 21, 1821, in Rothenburg ob der Tauber . He was the only boy of three children born to Melchior Leydig, a Catholic and a minor public official, and Margareta, a Protestant...
(1821–1908).
Life
Carl Gegenbaur was born in WürzburgWürzburg
Würzburg is a city in the region of Franconia which lies in the northern tip of Bavaria, Germany. Located at the Main River, it is the capital of the Regierungsbezirk Lower Franconia. The regional dialect is Franconian....
, Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
in 1826, and he entered the University of Würzburg
University of Würzburg
The University of Würzburg is a university in Würzburg, Germany, founded in 1402. The university is a member of the distinguished Coimbra Group.-Name:...
as a student in 1845. After taking his degree in 1851, he spent some time in travelling in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, before returning to Wurzburg as Privatdozent
Privatdozent
Privatdozent or Private lecturer is a title conferred in some European university systems, especially in German-speaking countries, for someone who pursues an academic career and holds all formal qualifications to become a tenured university professor...
in 1854. In 1855, he was appointed extraordinary professor of anatomy at the University of Jena, and in 1858, he became the ordinary professor, where after 1865, his former student and fellow-worker Ernst Haeckel
Ernst Haeckel
The "European War" became known as "The Great War", and it was not until 1920, in the book "The First World War 1914-1918" by Charles à Court Repington, that the term "First World War" was used as the official name for the conflict.-Research:...
was professor of zoology
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
. In 1873, Carl Gegenbaur was appointed to Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
, where he was professor of anatomy and director of the Anatomical Institute until his retirement in 1901. He died on 14 June 1903, at Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
.
Impact
Comparative embryology
Comparative Embryology is the branch of embryology that compares and contrasts embryos of different species.Sorry yahh but this is incomplete...
in the study of descent, Gegenbaur laid stress on the higher value of comparative anatomy
Comparative anatomy
Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of organisms. It is closely related to evolutionary biology and phylogeny .-Description:...
as the basis of the study of homologies, i.e. of the relations between corresponding parts in different animals, as, for example, the arm of man, with the foreleg of a horse, and with the wing of a fowl. A distinctive piece of work was effected by him in 1871 in supplementing the evidence adduced by Huxley in refutation of the skull
Skull
The skull is a bony structure in the head of many animals that supports the structures of the face and forms a cavity for the brain.The skull is composed of two parts: the cranium and the mandible. A skull without a mandible is only a cranium. Animals that have skulls are called craniates...
-vertebrae theory: the theory of the origin of the skull from expanded vertebrae, which, formulated independently by Goethe and Oken
Lorenz Oken
Lorenz Oken was a German naturalist.Oken was born Lorenz Okenfuss in Bohlsbach in Baden and studied natural history and medicine at the universities of Freiburg and Würzburg. He went on to the University of Göttingen, where he became a Privatdozent , and shortened his name to Oken...
, had been championed by Owen
Richard Owen
Sir Richard Owen, FRS KCB was an English biologist, comparative anatomist and palaeontologist.Owen is probably best remembered today for coining the word Dinosauria and for his outspoken opposition to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection...
. Huxley demonstrated that the skull is built up of cartilaginous pieces; Gegenbaur showed that in the lowest (gristly) fishes, where hints of the original vertebrae might be most expected, the skull is an unsegmented gristly brain-box, and that in higher forms, the vertebral nature of the skull cannot be maintained, since many of the bones, notably those along the top of the skull, arise in the skin.
In 1858, the physician Ernst Haeckel
Ernst Haeckel
The "European War" became known as "The Great War", and it was not until 1920, in the book "The First World War 1914-1918" by Charles à Court Repington, that the term "First World War" was used as the official name for the conflict.-Research:...
studied under Carl Gegenbaur at Jena
Jena
Jena is a university city in central Germany on the river Saale. It has a population of approx. 103,000 and is the second largest city in the federal state of Thuringia, after Erfurt.-History:Jena was first mentioned in an 1182 document...
, receiving a doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in zoology
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
(after his medical degree
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
), and became a professor at the same institution, the University of Jena (see: Ernst Haeckel
Ernst Haeckel
The "European War" became known as "The Great War", and it was not until 1920, in the book "The First World War 1914-1918" by Charles à Court Repington, that the term "First World War" was used as the official name for the conflict.-Research:...
). Ernst Haeckel
Ernst Haeckel
The "European War" became known as "The Great War", and it was not until 1920, in the book "The First World War 1914-1918" by Charles à Court Repington, that the term "First World War" was used as the official name for the conflict.-Research:...
expanded on the ideas of Gegenbaur while advocating the concepts of Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
Charles Robert Darwin FRS was an English naturalist. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestry, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection.He published his theory...
.
In 1861, he published "Ueber den Bau und die Entwickelung der Wirbelthier-Eier mit partielleer Dotterbildung" ("Proof that the ovum is unicellular in all vertebrates", Arch. Anat. Phys., 1861.8: 461-529), a fundamental proof in embryology
Embryology
Embryology is a science which is about the development of an embryo from the fertilization of the ovum to the fetus stage...
.
Gegenbaur learned techniques as a student of Albert von Kölliker
Albert von Kölliker
Albert von Kölliker was a Swiss anatomist and physiologist.-Biography:Albert Kölliker was born in Zurich, Switzerland. His early education was carried on in Zurich, and he entered the university there in 1836...
, Rudolf Virchow
Rudolf Virchow
Rudolph Carl Virchow was a German doctor, anthropologist, pathologist, prehistorian, biologist and politician, known for his advancement of public health...
, Heinrich Müller
Heinrich Müller (physiologist)
Heinrich Müller was a German anatomist and professor at the University of Würzburg. He is best known for his work in comparative anatomy and his studies involving the eye.He was a native of Castell, Lower Franconia...
and Franz Leydig
Franz Leydig
Franz von Leydig , also Franz Leydig, was a German zoologist and comparative anatomist.- Life :Franz Leydig was born on May 21, 1821, in Rothenburg ob der Tauber . He was the only boy of three children born to Melchior Leydig, a Catholic and a minor public official, and Margareta, a Protestant...
(1821–1908). Carl Gegenbaur had a strong influence on his environment, with his colleagues Matthias Jakob Schleiden
Matthias Jakob Schleiden
Matthias Jakob Schleiden was a German botanist and co-founder of the cell theory, along with Theodor Schwann and Rudolf Virchow....
, Emil Huschke
Emil Huschke
Emil Huschke was a German anatomist and embryologist who was a native of Weimar. He studied medicine at the University of Jena, and spent most of his professional career at Jena. In 1827 he was appointed professor of anatomy and director of the anatomical institute...
, Ernst Haeckel
Ernst Haeckel
The "European War" became known as "The Great War", and it was not until 1920, in the book "The First World War 1914-1918" by Charles à Court Repington, that the term "First World War" was used as the official name for the conflict.-Research:...
, and Hermann Klaatsch
Hermann Klaatsch
Dr. Hermann Klaatsch was a German physician, anatomist, physical anthropologist, evolutionist, and professor at the University of Heidelberg and at the University of Breslau until 1916....
(1863–1916).
Carl Gegenbaur also influenced his students, including: Max Fürbringer
Max Fürbringer
Max Carl Anton Fürbringer was a German anatomist. He studied with Karl Gegenbaur and published his studies in comparative anatomy in Untersuchungen zur Morphologie und Systematik der Vögel, 1888.-Notes:...
, Richard Hertwig
Richard Hertwig
Richard Wilhelm Karl Theodor Ritter von Hertwig , also Richard Hertwig or Richard von Hertwig, was a German zoologist and professor of 50 years, notable as the first to describe zygote formation as the fusing of spermatozoa inside the membrane of an egg cell during fertilization.Richard Hertwig was...
, Oskar Hertwig
Oskar Hertwig
Oscar Hertwig was a German zoologist and professor, who also wrote about the theory of evolution circa 1916, over 55 years after Charles Darwin's book The Origin of Species...
, Emil Rosenberg
Emil Rosenberg
Emil Rosenberg was a biologist and professor of comparative anatomy, embryology and histology, who worked 20 years at the Imperial University of Dorpat.Emil Rosenberg attended college as a student of Carl Gegenbaur at the University of Jena...
, Ambrosius Hubrecht
Ambrosius Hubrecht
Ambrosius Arnold Willem Hubrecht was a Dutch zoölogist. He was born in Rotterdam, was educated at the universities of Utrecht, Leyden, Erlangen, and Heidelberg, was Selenka's assistant in zoölogy at Erlangen in 1874, in 1875–1882 was in the Leyden Zoölogical Museum, and in 1882 became professor at...
, Johan Erik Vesti Boas
Johan Erik Vesti Boas
Johan Erik Vesti Boas , also J.E.V. Boas, was a Danish zoologist and a disciple of Carl Gegenbaur and Steenstrup. During the beginning and end of his career, Johan Erik Vesti Boas worked at the Zoological Museum of Copenhagen...
(1855–1935), Hans Friedrich Gadow
Hans Friedrich Gadow
Hans Friedrich Gadow was a German ornithologist.Gadow was born in Pomerania, the son of an inspector of the Prussian royal forests. He studied at the universities of Berlin, Jena and Heidelberg. At Jena he studied under Ernst Haeckel and at Heidelberg under the anatomist Karl Gegenbaur...
, M. Sagemehl, N. Goronowitsch, H. K. Corning, C. Röse and S. Paulli.
Gegenbaur's research program of comparative morphology incorporating ontogeny and phylogeny is still evident in the burgeoning field of evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo).
Other publications
Other publications by Carl Gegenbaur include a Text-book of Human Anatomy (Leipzig, 1883, new ed. 1903), the Epiglottis (1892) and Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrates in relation to the Invertebrates (Leipzig, 2 vols., 1898–1901). In 1875, he founded the Morphologisches Jahrbuch ("Morphological Yearbook"), which he edited for many years. In 1901 he published a short autobiography under the title Erlebtes und Erstrebtes (GermanGerman language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
"experiencing and striving").