Progress In Population Genetics And Human Evolution

This book is devoted to the collection, interpretation and analysis of population genetic data. Among the topics included here are studies on human evolutionary history, molecular techniques for generating data, statistical and computational techniques for the interpretation of such data, and stochastic models for genealogy and population structure. The chapters reflect the close interaction between experimental molecular biologists and theoreticians. The book will be useful for specialists in the area, as well as mathematicians, statisticians, computer scientists and biologists wanting a brief overview of current problems in the field.

Devoted to the collection, interpretation and analysis of population genetic data, topics included here include studies on human evolutionary history, molecular techniques for generating data, statistical and computational techniques for the interpretation of such data, and stochastic models for genealogy and population structure. The book reflects the close interaction between experimental molecular biologists and theoreticians, and as such will be useful for specialists in the area, as well as mathematicians, statisticians, computer scientists and biologists wanting a brief overview of current problems in the field.

Population genetics is the study of the allele frequency distribution and change under the influence of the four evolutionary forces: natural selection, genetic drift, mutation and gene flow. It also takes account of population subdivision and population structure in space. This book presents the latest research in the field from around the globe.

The advances made possible by the development of molecular techniques have in recent years revolutionized quantitative genetics and its relevance for population genetics. Population Genetics and Microevolutionary Theory takes a modern approach to population genetics, incorporating modern molecular biology, species-level evolutionary biology, and a thorough acknowledgment of quantitative genetics as the theoretical basis for population genetics. Logically organized into three main sections on population structure and history, genotype-phenotype interactions, and selection/adaptation Extensive use of real examples to illustrate concepts Written in a clear and accessible manner and devoid of complex mathematical equations Includes the author's introduction to background material as well as a conclusion for a handy overview of the field and its modern applications Each chapter ends with a set of review questions and answers Offers helpful general references and Internet links

"Now in full color, this new edition of Human evolutionary genetics has been brought up-to-date with the many advances and discoveries made since the publication of the highly regarded first edition. The focus of the book is human genetic diversity: the mechanisms that generate it, how we study it, its implications in evolution, and its implications today. It will be an invaluable resource for anyone studying human evolution, genetic variation, population genetics, and biological anthropology"--

Introductory guide to human population genetics and microevolutionary theory Providing an introduction to mathematical population genetics, Human Population Genetics gives basic background on the mechanisms of human microevolution. This text combines mathematics, biology, and anthropology and is best suited for advanced undergraduate and graduate study. Thorough and accessible, Human Population Genetics presents concepts and methods of population genetics specific to human population study, utilizing uncomplicated mathematics like high school algebra and basic concepts of probability to explain theories central to the field. By describing changes in the frequency of genetic variants from one generation to the next, this book hones in on the mathematical basis of evolutionary theory. Human Population Genetics includes: Helpful formulae for learning ease Graphs and analogies that make basic points and relate the evolutionary process to mathematical ideas Glossary terms marked in boldface within the book the first time they appear In-text citations that act as reference points for further research Exemplary case studies Topics such as Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, inbreeding, mutation, genetic drift, natural selection, and gene flow Human Population Genetics solidifies knowledge learned in introductory biological anthropology or biology courses and makes it applicable to genetic study. NOTE: errata for the first edition can be found at the author's website: http://employees.oneonta.edu/relethjh/HPG/errata.pdf

Comprehensive, advanced treatment of nature and source of inherited characteristics, with treatment of mathematical techniques. Mendelian populations, mutations, polymorphisms, genetic demography, much more. Emphasizes interpretation of data in relation to theoretical models.

While the basic pattern of hominid evolution is well documented, the recent evolutionary history of homo sapiens is less clear. Application of molecular genetics techniques has great potential for resolving issues over this period, but as the complexity of such data increases, the quantitative methods used for its analysis are becoming more important. This phase is also one of the richest for biological and behavioural evidence derived from both fossils and archaeology. The book will contain expository and state-of-the-art research contributions from experts in these diverse areas, covering data and its interpretation, and experimental and analytical techniques.