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Recent advances in molecular genetics make the sequencing of genes a straightforward exercise. Comparisons of sequenced genes from different individuals of a species, or from different species, allow the construction of family trees or evolutionary trees which reveal genetic relationships. This volume shows for the first time how those trees, or phylogenies, can be used to answer questions about population dynamics, epidemiology, development, biodiversity, conservation, and the evolution of genetic systems. The techniques for deciding what these new trees can tell us come together in a unified framework so that a common set of methods can be applied, whatever area of biology interests the researcher.
This volume investigates how the construction of evolutionary trees, or phylogenies, can be utilized as a functional tool to address complex questions across diverse biological disciplines. The authors, a team of distinguished biologists and geneticists, synthesize recent advancements in molecular sequencing to propose a unified methodological framework. By moving beyond mere tree construction, they argue that phylogenies provide critical insights into population dynamics, epidemiology, and biodiversity conservation.
What You Will Find
Experts recognize this work as a significant contribution to the integration of molecular data into broader ecological and evolutionary research. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which serves as a foundational reference for researchers seeking to apply phylogenetic methods to their specific biological inquiries.
Page Count:
368
Publication Date:
1996-08-08
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0198549849
ISBN-13:
9780198549840
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