This book investigates the biological mechanisms and evolutionary significance of clonal reproduction within the rare subset of vertebrate species that abstain from sexual reproduction. John C. Avise, a distinguished geneticist, synthesizes data from genetics, ecology, and natural history to examine the approximately 100 vertebrate species that utilize asexual or quasi-clonal methods. The text presents a comparative framework to understand why sexual reproduction remains the dominant strategy while exploring the specific environmental and genetic conditions that allow clonal lineages to persist.

Experts recognize this work as a comprehensive reference for understanding the rare exceptions to sexual reproduction in vertebrates. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is tailored for students and researchers in evolutionary biology.