An Introduction to Molecular Ecology

by Trevor J.C. Beebee, Graham Rowe

Ecology--the study of how individuals and species interact with their surroundings, and each other -- has been revolutionized by a new molecular approach to the subject. By using molecular, biological and molecular genetic techniques, ecological interactions can be investigated in more detail and with more accuracy than ever before. An Introduction to Molecular Ecology makes this fascinating area of research accessible to students for the first time. Beginning with the history of molecular ecology, involving the relationships between natural history, genetics and evolution, the book moves on to discuss the areas of molecular population genetics, phylogeography, and molecular ecology in conservation biology. These are just a few of the ten chapters, which are individually structured to include background information, questions of interest, the underlying theory of the various molecular and analytical approaches, and a range of relevant examples. Two substantial appendices detail accounts of the main practical and analytical methods currently used in molecular ecology.

Genres: Biology, Science, Ecology

372 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2004

Reviews

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

This edition seemed merely a reshuffling of the previous one. There was not a lot of updated info despite the major advances and expansion in the field. The author has not attempted to incorporate new technological advances (e.g. high-throughput sequencing) nor does the author have a good grasp of the major trends in software used in the field. Most of the software programs recommended by the author were obscure. I knew of better programs more robust and more widely accepted than the ones he recommended. While there is a glut of software programs out there and researchers have a lot to choose from this was definitely not a strong part of the book. However, it is a good introduction to the field and gets the basics going. The last chapter on GMOs need to be dropped. To end a book about such a rapidly expanding field on such a mundane topic is a major letdown.