Evolution of Biological Diversity

by Anne E. Magurran, Robert M. May

Overview

Recent studies have discovered considerable genetic and morphological variation 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 arrive?Evolution of Biological Diversity, with a prominent assortment of contributors, is an extensive review of the most recent research into this and other questions of biological diversity and the processes of speciation. Major chapters explore how variation occurs within species by emphasizing the ecological and behavioral basis of differentiation while others argue for the role of natural selection. 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 extinction - in the past. This book is a necessity for all researchers and graduate students in the biological sciences seeking the latest findings on the evolution of biological diversity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198503040
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	06/24/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	341
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Anne Magurran is Professor of Ecology and Evolution at the University of St Andrews. Sir Bob May is Chief Scientific Advisor to the Government, and is based at the Department of Zoology, University of Oxford.

Table of Contents

Preface, R. M. May and A. E. MagurranList of Contributors1. The evolutionary genetics of speciation, J. A. Coyne and H. A. Orr2. Genetic diversity: do market genes tell us the whole story?, T. Tregenza and R. K. Butlin3. Genetic diversity in natural populations, J. Harwood and W. Amos4. Sympatric morphs, populations and speciation in freshwater fish with emphasis on arctic charr, S. Skúlason, S. S. Snorrason, and B. Jónsson5. Sexual selection and natural selection in bird speciation, T. Price6. Explosive speciation of African cichlid fishes, G. F. Turner7. Sexual conflict and speciation, L. Partridge and G. A. Parker8. Population differentiation without speciation, A. E. Magurran9. From genes to individuals: developmental genes and the generation of the phenotype, D. Tautz and K. Schmid10. Revealing the factors that promote speciation, T. G. Barraclough, A. P. Vogler, and P. H. Harvey11. Gulliver's further travels: the necessity and difficulty of a hierarchical theory of selection, S. J. Gould12. Geographic range size and speciation, K. J. Gaston and S. L. Chown13 Rates of speciation in the fossil record, J. J. Sepkoski, Jr.14. The evolution of diversity in ancient ecosystems: a review, S. Conway MorrisIndex