Elements of Evolutionary Genetics

Charlesworth, Brian and Charlesworth, Deborah

Elements of Evolutionary Genetics

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ISBN: 9780981519425
Copyright year: 2010
Specifications: 768 pages, hardback, printed in black and white (with color endpages)
Publication status: Published Jan. 25, 2010

Price: $80.00
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About this Title

Evolutionary genetics considers the causes of evolutionary change and the nature of variability in evolution. The methods of evolutionary genetics are critically important for the analysis and interpretation of the massive datasets on DNA sequence variation and evolution that are becoming available, as well for our understanding of evolution in general. This book shows readers how models of the genetic processes involved in evolution are made (including natural selection, migration, mutation, and genetic drift in finite populations), and how the models are used to interpret classical and molecular genetic data. The material is intended for advanced level undergraduate courses in genetics and evolutionary biology, graduate students in evolutionary biology and human genetics, and researchers in related fields who wish to learn evolutionary genetics. The topics covered include genetic variation, DNA sequence variability and its measurement, the different types of natural selection and their effects (e.g. the maintenance of variation, directional selection, and adaptation), the interactions between selection and mutation or migration, the description and analysis of variation at multiple sites in the genome, genetic drift, and the effects of spatial structure. The final two chapters demonstrate how the theory illuminates our understanding of the evolution of breeding systems, sex ratios and life histories, and some aspects of genome evolution.

About the Author

Brian and Deborah Charlesworth obtained PhDs in genetics at the University of Cambridge, and have subsequently worked at the Universities of Liverpool, Sussex, Chicago, and Edinburgh. They are the authors of Evolution: A Very Short Introduction, a book for the general public. Brian is a Fellow of the Royal Society and Honorary Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and Deborah is a Fellow of the Royal Society. Both currently work on questions in population genetics, molecular and genome evolution, and also on mating system evolution. 



Table of Contents

1 Variability and its measurement
2 Basic selection theory and the maintenance of variation
3 Directional selection and adaptation
4 Migration, mutation and selection
5 The evolutionary effects of finite population size: basic theory
6 Molecular evolution and variation
7 Genetic effects of spatial structure
8 Multiple sites and loci
9 The evolution of breeding systems, sex ratios and life histories
10 Some Topics in Genome Evolution
Mathematical and Statistical Appendix


Errata

The errata for the book are available here:

http://www.biology.ed.ac.uk/research/groups/bcharlesworth/Errata.pdf

Praise

“In any given year, Brian and Deborah Charlesworth think more deeply and creatively about evolutionary genetics than most of us do over our careers. The depth and breadth of their knowledge of both the data, ranging from life-history evolution to comparative genomics, and the relevant theory is nearly unparalleled. We’re lucky to have their synthetic overview of the field, which will be a valuable resource for advanced students and their teachers for many years.” Michael Turelli, University of California, Davis

“These two leaders of the field have given us a superb overview of evolutionary genetics. Their clear explanation of the key concepts is closely linked to biological examples, and especially, to the most recent data on genome evolution. This will be an essential text.” Nick Barton, IST Austria and the University of Edinburgh

“The Charlesworths are giants in the field of evolutionary genetics. They have written a textbook that is just what you would expect from them—clear, comprehensive, and authoritative. They somehow manage to smoothly blend theory and experiment, while also covering historical developments and modern controversies. The field desperately needed a new textbook at this level.  The Charlesworths have beautifully filled the gap.” Richard Hudson, University of Chicago

“Brian and Deborah Charlesworth have written an outstanding book that will surely rank as a classic for many years to come. The range of the topics covered is all-embracing. The level of the presentation ranges from introductory material to the most recent research. Thus, the book will  serve not only as a textbook for classes at all levels, but also as a research monograph. A further feature is the nice interplay between the practical genetics, the data discussed, and the mathematical theory. The lucid presentation of these aspects of population genetics will allow the reader to progress from introductory to advanced material with ease. All-in-all a masterly performance.” Warren Ewens, University of Pennsylvania

“The book by Charlesworth and Charlesworth provides an authoritative and accessible review of classical and modern population genetics. It can serve as a text for several courses and will be an invaluable reference to researchers in all areas of biology.” Montgomery Slatkin, University of California, Berkeley

“Elements of Evolutionary Genetics provides lucid explanations of the theoretical underpinnings of population genetics. Further topics such as evolution of sex ratio and codon usage give students an introduction to areas of ongoing research. Problems at the conclusion of each chapter, involving applications of theory to data or further deviations of theory, assist in challenging students to further their understanding of the material.” Diane L. Byers, Illinois State University