Evolutionary Conservation Genetics

by Jacob Hïglund

Overview

Conservation genetics focuses on understanding the role and requirement of genetic variation for population persistence. However, considerable debate now surrounds the role of genetic factors (as opposed to non-genetic factors such as habitat destruction etc.) in population extinction, and a comprehensive synthesis is now timely. Can extinction be explained by habitat destruction alone or is lack of genetic variation a part of the explanation? The book thoroughly reviews the arguments for a role of genetics in the present biodiversity crisis. It describes the methods used to study genetic variation in endangered species and examines the influence of genetic variation in the extinction of species.
To date, conservation genetics has predominantly utilized neutral genetic markers e.g. microsatellites. However, with the recent advances in molecular genetics and genomics it will soon be possible to study 'direct gene action', following the fate of genetic variation at the level of DNA, through expression, to proteins in order to determine how such phenotypes fare in populations of free living organisms. Evolutionary Conservation Genetics explores these exciting avenues of future research potential, integrating ecological quantitative genetics with the new genome science. It is now more important than ever that we ask relevant questions about the evolutionary fate of endangered populations throughout the globe and incorporate our knowledge of evolutionary processes and the distribution of genetic diversity into effective conservation planning and action.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199214228
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	05/05/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Professor Jacob Hoglund was born in Uppsala, Sweden in 1958. He received his BSc (1983), PhD (1989) and DrSci (1992) from the Uppsala University in Sweden. He completed his post doctoral studies in the UK (1990). He has been a Professor at the Uppsala University since 2000 lecturing mainly in Conservation Genetics.

Books by the same author:
Leks |a Jacob Hoglund and Rauno V. Alatalo

Table of Contents

Preface1. The Extinction Vortex - is Genetic Variation Related to Extinction? 2. How to Measure Genetic Variation3. Inbreeding, Geographic Subdivision and Gene Flow4. Genetic Diversity in Changing Environments5. Genes Under Selection: Mhc and Others6. Local Adaptation7. Ecological Genomics8. An Evolutionary Conservation BiologyReferencesIndex

Editorial Reviews

"Those in the fields of ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation biology will find this book very helpful, as the author explains the often-confusing but central parts of conservation genetics in a straightforward manner. This book would be an excellent seminar course textbook for students. Overall, I like this book, for (a) its clear and concise presentation of material, (b) its thorough review of genetic studies pertaining to conservation of species, and (c) its choice of genetic studies presented."— Ecology

"This could easily be used as a textbook; an extensive reference list and index, as well as in-text citations, allow easy fact-checking and pursuit of related topics. Unlike the average textbook, however, the author's targeted approach and use of the first person make this text very readable. Because the author assumes basic background knowledge of genetic terms, this text is most appropriate for graduate students or researchers as opposed to undergraduates." — Biological Conservation

From the Publisher