Population Genetics and Microevolutionary Theory [Hardcover]

Alan R. Templeton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 29, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0471409510 | ISBN-13: 978-0471409519 | Edition: 1

The advances made possible by the development of molecular techniques have in recent years revolutionized quantitative genetics and its relevance for population genetics. Population Genetics and Microevolutionary Theory takes a modern approach to population genetics, incorporating modern molecular biology, species-level evolutionary biology, and a thorough acknowledgment of quantitative genetics as the theoretical basis for population genetics.

• Logically organized into three main sections on population structure and history, genotype-phenotype interactions, and selection/adaptation
• Extensive use of real examples to illustrate concepts
• Written in a clear and accessible manner and devoid of complex mathematical equations
• Includes the author's introduction to background material as well as a conclusion for a handy overview of the field and its modern applications
• Each chapter ends with a set of review questions and answers
• Offers helpful general references and Internet links

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...enjoyable to read...will certainly find its place on the shelves of those interested...[in] alternative viewpoints..." (American Journal of Human Biology, May/June 2007)

From the Back Cover

An elegant introduction to population genetics

Written in the context of new molecular techniques for genetic analysis, Population Genetics and Microevolutionary Theory takes a modern approach to population genetics, incorporating today's molecular biology, species-level evolutionary biology, and a thorough acknowledgment of quantitative genetics as the theoretical basis for population genetics.

Logically organized into three main sections—population structure and history, genotype/phenotype, and selection/adaptation—the text stresses a multidimensional model of evolution throughout, examining how multiple factors working together lead to biological phenomena. Three simple premises of DNA behavior are used to derive population genetics theory, and quantitative genetics is discussed as a foundation for understanding natural selection. Real examples illustrate concepts, with many examples taken from human genetics and evolution.

Population Genetics and Microevolutionary Theory also features:

• An introduction to background material
• A conclusion providing a handy overview of the field and its modern applications
• Review questions and answers at the end of each chapter
• An appendix on genetic survey techniques
• An appendix on statistical analysis and theory
• Helpful general references and Internet links

Written in a clear and accessible manner, without complex mathematical equations, Population Genetics and Microevolutionary Theory gives graduate and advanced undergraduate students an elegant introduction to this key field of modern biology.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 705 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Liss; 1 edition (September 29, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471409510
• ISBN-13: 978-0471409519
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #762,384 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New textbook in population genetics offers unique perspectives, February 18, 2007

By 

pg (New York, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Population Genetics and Microevolutionary Theory (Hardcover)

This latest textbook in population genetics flies above and beyond any other textbook I've read in the field because of its clarity and depth of coverage.

Templeton offers new and unique insights in several key topics in population genetics, and he gives plenty of caveats throughout where important population genetics concepts have been misunderstood. For example, his coverage of inbreeding cofficients is exceptional, and he rightly points out how different inbreeding coefficients are wrongly used in the literature. His approach throughout is multi-dimentional, encompassing the interaction between different evolutionary forces and always stressing the prime importance of population history. A very thorough discussion on the use of linkage disequilibrium in medical genetics is also included.

Does this book have any weak points? It's hard to point out any, such was my overall highly positive impression from reading the book.

Templeton's scholarship is vast and deep, as is his publication record. The unique perspectives offered by this book certainly puts it among the best science books I own.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent textbook, July 2, 2009

By 

Yegor Voronin "shvarz" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Population Genetics and Microevolutionary Theory (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book on population genetics. Just the right balance of theory, math and real-world examples. The explanations are superb - I'm not new to population genetics, but this book opened my eyes to many things that I thought I understood already.
One of the most common themes in this book is the approach of looking at evolution from the perspective of the gamete. The authors swears by it and takes every opportunity to point this out. I'm not sure this is an overwhelmingly accepted idea in the field, but it makes reading the book quite fun.
The examples that Alan chooses to illustrate the explained concepts deserve a special mention. They are amazing! Many of them are based on genetics of human populations and are absolutely stunning! It's just ten times more fun to read about humans than about birds and bees. One slight warning - don't take these examples as close to truth and do your own research. Some of them are based on shaky old data that barely reaches statistical significance. For example, the story of Tamils (mentioned several times throughout the book) loosing deleterious alleles due to increased inbreeding is based essentially on a single paper from 70-s with the number of such alleles being "not statistically different from 0" (which does not mean much if you think about it).

But don't let this small thing bother you - it's still probably the best book on population genetics out there. Don't miss it!

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY PLEASED, December 25, 2010

By 

FargoFriend - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Population Genetics and Microevolutionary Theory (Hardcover)

Quick and reliable service - I would use this seller again. My son got this text book for a Christmas gift - imagine that!?! It was on his "want list".
THANK YOU!