Evolution of Biological Diversity

Erscheinungsjahr 2002
ISBN: 978-0-19-850304-0
Verlag: OUP Oxford

Buch, Englisch, 341 Seiten, Format (B × H): 152 mm x 229 mm, Gewicht: 559 g

The astounding breadth of diversity of life on earth intrigues and amazes many people, while the future of world biodiversity is a cause for widespread concern. Within the current context of global interest in biological diversity, this is a timely review of the most recent research into the evolutionary origins of biological diversity and the processes of speciation, from a stellar cast of contributors. Recent studies have discovered considerable genetic and
morphological variation both between and within populations of the same species. Yet the relation between this intraspecific variation and the processes of speciation remains poorly understood. When, how, and why do new species arise? The chapters in this book explore the question of how variation arises
within species; some emphasize the ecological and behavioural basis of differentiation; others argue for the role of natural selection in generating speciation. Several chapters focus on the important emerging links between sexual selection, sexual conflict, and population differentiation. The final chapters of the book take a broader perspective on the question, and explore the fossil record for data on the origination of species diversity - and extinctions - in the past. This book is a
must-have for all researchers and graduate students in the biological sciences who want to be abreast of the latest thinking on the evolution of biological diversity.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Magurran

May, Matt

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Botanik Pflanzenreproduktion, Verbreitung, Genetik
• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Botanik Pflanzenökologie
• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Tierkunde / Zoologie Tierökologie
• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Tierkunde / Zoologie Tiergenetik, Reproduktion
• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften Ökologie
• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften Evolutionsbiologie
• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften Genetik und Genomik (nichtmedizinisch)

Über Autor(innen)

Anne Magurran is Professor of Ecology and Evolution at the University of St Andrews. Tel. [phone] Fax. [phone] Email: [e-mail] Sir Bob May is Chief Scientific Advisor to the Government, and is based at the Department of Zoology, University of Oxford.