Molecular Markers, Natural History, and Evolution (Paperback)

by John C. Avise (Author) "This book is about molecular markers and their role in genetic studies of population biology, natural history, and evolution..." (more)
Key Phrases: geographic population structure, intraspecific genealogy, cytoplasmic capture, United States, North America, Tree of Life (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
`...a splendid and timely overview of the impact of molecular techniques on traditional biology.' New Scientist --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description
Molecular markers have opened exciting new windows through which to view the natural biological world. This treatment addresses the many applications for genetic markers (from polymorphic proteins and DNA) from the perspectives of population biology, behavioral ecology, organismal evolution, and phylogeny. Opening chapters review the history and purview of molecular approaches, and compare and contrast various laboratory techniques for revealing molecular markers. Subsequent chapters review the extensive scientific literature of molecular ecology and evolution, and describe a cornucopia of captivating discoveries about nature's workings, past and present.

The book is taxonomically balanced with numerous examples from plants, animals, and microbes. It is also temporally balanced with examples ranging from assessments of genetic parentage and kinship in the most recent generations to phylogenetic assessments deep in the Tree of Life (and nearly everything in-between). This Second Edition of a seminal work (first published in 1994) brings the reader up-to-date on the many dramatic advances and insights made over the last decade. Furthermore, by retaining descriptions of many pioneering works, this book also traces the empirical and conceptual roots of each subject, and thereby provides a rich sense of the field's history.

Appropriate for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and scientists in such disciplines as ecology, genetics, population biology, ethology, molecular biology, systematics, and conservation biology, this new edition is for anyone interested in the application of molecular markers to organisms in the wild.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 684 pages
• Publisher: Sinauer Associates; 2 edition (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878930418
• ISBN-13: 978-0878930418
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #366,011 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Obligatory reading!, April 4, 2005

By	Tito M. C. Lotufo "Tito Lotufo" (Fortaleza, CE Brazil) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a comprehensive introduction to the use of molecular markers in evolution, ecology and phylogeny. Very well written, this second edition brings important updates to a field in fast progress.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very detailed reading, October 28, 2007

By	Aesop - See all my reviews

A very comprehensive volume dealing with all aspects of molecular methods in ecology and evolution. However, I would NOT recommend this book to individuals with little or no background in population genetics and/or molecular phylogenetics. The author assumes the reader has the basic knowledge in these disciplines and does not discuss introductory concepts. I also find the style of writing to be more complex than necessary.

5.0 out of 5 stars You need this book biologists¡, March 18, 2008

By	Mahua "biomahua" (Guate, Guatemala) - See all my reviews

Everyone that want to know the whole story and news about molecular biology should have this literature. Inside you will find all the authors that make a revolutionary finding in molecular and evolution studies.