Conclusion

Abstract

The discussions of Richard Goldschmidt’s work presented in the above papers make it evident that his theory of evolution by sudden discontinuous steps is finding wider acceptance as data that suggest periods of very rapid evolution, for example in the phylogeny of primates, are accumulating (Sarich, Carlson). The role of heterochromatin is still unknown and many of the questions on its precise nature and function raised by Goldschmidt remain unanswered (Bakken, Littlefield and Bryant). The mechanism of sex determination in insects continues to be a difficult topic but new methods for its attack have become available to the developmental genticist (Littlefield and Bryant). The time law of intersexuality may not apply to the production of intersexes in Solenobia. As regards Lymantria, further experimental work would be needed either to accept or reject the validity of the time law in the production of intersexes in crosses of different geographic races. Goldschmidt’s views on the structure of the chromosome and on the nature of the gene have largely been supplanted by different ideas based on studies of genes and chromosomes in the intervening years (Bakken). His influence as a theorist of genetics and evolution and as the first to introduce concepts of physiological genetics are still judged to have been significant (Caspari, Allen, Littlefield and Bryant, Stern). As a teacher he had a profound effect on the development of many biologists (v. Frisch, Caspari, Eakin, Stern).