Ameghino and the embryological approach of phylogeny

Abstract

Regarding the main cognitive target of evolutionary biology, Ameghino coincided with Haeckel. For both, the main task of this science was establishing phylogenies. But, while Haeckel believed that the leading discipline of that cognitive endeavor should be Comparative Embryology, Ameghino thought that this leading role should be performed by Paleontology. His objections regarding the idea that ontogeny always recapitulates phylogeny, justified that idea. For him, the phylogenetic knowledge permitted by Paleontology could be more accurate and reliable than that produced by the Comparative Embryology.