The Causes of Molecular Evolution

by John H. Gillespie

Overview

This work provides a unified theory that addresses the important problem of the origin and maintenance of genetic variation in natural populations. With modern molecular techniques, variation is found in all species, sometimes at astonishingly high levels. Yet, despite these observations, the forces that maintain variation within and between species have been difficult subjects of study. Because they act very weakly and operate over vast time scales, scientists must rely on indirect inferences and speculative mathematical models. However, despite these obstacles, many advances have been made. The author's research in molecular genetics, evolution, and bio-mathematics has enabled him to draw on this work, and present a coherent and valuable view of the field. The book is divided into three parts. The first consists of three chapters on protein evolution, DNA evolution, and molecular mechanisms. This section reviews the experimental observations on genetic variation. The second part gives a unified treatment of the mathematical theory of selection in a fluctuating environment. The final two chapters combine the earlier assessments in a treatment of the scientific status of two competing theories for the maintenance of genetic variation. Steeped in the enormous advances population genetics has made over the past 25 years, this book has proven highly popular among human geneticists, biologists, evolutionary theorists, and bio-mathematicians.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195092714
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	05/26/1994
Series:	Oxford Series in Ecology and Evolution , #2
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

University of California, Davis

Table of Contents

1. Protein Evolution2. DNA Evolution3. The Molecular Clock4. Selection in a Fluctuating Environment5. Strong-Selection, Weak-Mutation Approximations6. Neutral Allele Theories7. Selection Theories

Editorial Reviews

"John Gillespie has thought harder than anyone else about the subtleties of the ways in which natural selection can bring about variation and evolution at the molecular level, and he has an enviable command of the theoretical and empirical literature on molecular evolution. [His book] deserves the careful attention of everyone interested in this field....Well written and informative." —Science

"I like this book, and it is valuable to have many elements of the debate under one cover....This work will begin to counter the influence that defenders of the neutral theory have enjoyed over the past decade....A timely contribution which will promote interest in the study of adaptation at the molecular level." —Nature

"Presents a unified theory that tackles the important current problem of the origin and maintenance of the genetic variation found in natural populations. Consideration of the great advances made in the discipline of population genetics makes this of interest to many readers." —Choice

"Gillespie provides the first thorough assessment of the success of selectionist and neutralist arguments in explaining the data on genetic variation." —The Times Higher Education Supplement

"Examines the whole question of molecular evolution, with reference to both experimental and mathematical approaches. The layout of the book allows the three parts to be read independently, which may be useful for those not mathematically inclined....Recommended for geneticists, biologists, and evolutionary theorists." —Animal Breeding Abstracts

"Students in molecular evolution will welcome this book....An initial attempt to introduce realistic assumptions into current models of molecular evolution and contains many stimulating and often provocative ideas." —Laurent Excoffier (University of Geneva), Human Biology

From the Publisher