Population Genetics

This book aims to make population genetics approachable, logical and easily understood. To achieve these goals, the book’s design emphasizes well explained introductions to key principles and predictions. These are augmented with case studies as well as illustrations along with introductions to classical hypotheses and debates. Pedagogical features in the text include: Interact boxes that guide readers step-by-step through computer simulations using public domain software. Math boxes that fully explain mathematical derivations. Methods boxes that give insight into the use of actual genetic data. Numerous Problem boxes are integrated into the text to reinforce concepts as they are encountered. Dedicated website at www.wiley.com/go/hamiltongenetics This text also offers a highly accessible introduction to coalescent theory, the major conceptual advance in population genetics of the last two decades.

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

An inspiring introduction to a vital scientific field. The reader is taken through ten mathematical derivations that lead to important results, explaining in a hands-on manner the key concepts and methods of theoretical population genetics. The derivations are carefully worked out and easy to follow. Particular attention is given to the underlying assumptions and the mathematics used. The results are discussed and broadened out with relevant current implications. All topics feature questions with helpful answers. The book is intended for the reader who already knows some population genetics but requires a more comprehensive understanding. It is particularly suited to those who analyse genetic data and wish to better grasp what their results actually mean. It will also be helpful for those who wish to understand how population genetics contributes to the explanation of evolution. Or as the writers claim: If one wants to understand life ? in all its improbable and amazing richness ? one must start by understanding population genetics.

The only book available in the area of forward-time population genetics simulations—applicable to both biomedical and evolutionary studies The rapid increase of the power of personal computers has led to the use of serious forward-time simulation programs in genetic studies. Forward-Time Population Genetics Simulations presents both new and commonly used methods, and introduces simuPOP, a powerful and flexible new program that can be used to simulate arbitrary evolutionary processes with unique features like customized chromosome types, arbitrary nonrandom mating schemes, virtual subpopulations, information fields, and Python operators. The book begins with an overview of important concepts and models, then goes on to show how simuPOP can simulate a number of standard population genetics models—with the goal of demonstrating the impact of genetic factors such as mutation, selection, and recombination on standard Wright-Fisher models. The rest of the book is devoted to applications of forward-time simulations in various research topics. Forward-Time Population Genetics Simulations includes: An overview of currently available forward-time simulation methods, their advantages, and shortcomings An overview and evaluation of currently available software A simuPOP tutorial Applications in population genetics Applications in genetic epidemiology, statistical genetics, and mapping complex human diseases The only book of its kind in the field today, Forward-Time Population Genetics Simulations will appeal to researchers and students of population and statistical genetics.

Despite the substantial interest in landscape genetics from the scientific community, learning about the concepts and methods underlying the field remains very challenging. The reason for this is the highly interdisciplinary nature of the field, which combines population genetics, landscape ecology, and spatial statistics. These fields have traditionally been treated separately in classes and textbooks, and very few scientists have received the interdisciplinary training necessary to efficiently teach or apply the diversity of techniques encompassed by landscape genetics. To address the current knowledge gap, this book provides the first in depth treatment of landscape genetics in a single volume. Specifically, this book delivers fundamental concepts and methods underlying the field, covering particularly important analytical methods in detail, and presenting empirical and theoretical applications of landscape genetics for a variety of environments and species. Consistent with the interdisciplinary nature of landscape genetics, the book combines an introductory, textbook like section with additional sections on advanced topics and applications that are more typical of edited volumes. The chapter topics and the expertise of the authors and the editorial team make the book a standard reference for anyone interested in landscape genetics. The book includes contributions from many of the leading researchers in landscape genetics. The group of scientists we have assembled has worked on several collaborative projects over the last years, including a large number of peer reviewed papers, several landscape genetics workshops at international conferences, and a distributed graduate seminar on landscape genetics. Based on the experiences gained during these collaborative teaching and research activities, the book includes chapters that synthesize fundamental concepts and methods underlying landscape genetics (Part 1), chapters on advanced topics that deserve a more in depth treatment (Part 2), and chapters illustrating the use of concepts and methods in empirical applications (Part 3). This structure ensures a high usefulness of the book for beginning landscape geneticists and experienced researchers alike, so that it has a broad target audience. At least one of the four co editors is involved in almost every chapter of the book, thereby ensuring a high consistency and coherency among chapters.

Invasion Genetics: the Baker & Stebbins legacy provides a state-of-the-art treatment of the evolutionary biology of invasive species, whilst also revisiting the historical legacy of one of the most important books in evolutionary biology: The Genetics of Colonizing Species, published in 1965 and edited by Herbert Baker and G. Ledyard Stebbins. This volume covers a range of topics concerned with the evolutionary biology of invasion including: phylogeography and the reconstruction of invasion history; demographic genetics; the role of stochastic forces in the invasion process; the contemporary evolution of local adaptation; the significance of epigenetics and transgenerational plasticity for invasive species; the genomic consequences of colonization; the search for invasion genes; and the comparative biology of invasive species. A wide diversity of invasive organisms are discussed including plants, animals, fungi and microbes.

Ecological Genetics addresses the fundamental problems of which of the many molecular markers should be used and how the resulting data should be analysed in clear, accessible language, suitable for upper-level undergraduates through to research-level professionals. A very accessible straightforward text to deal with this difficult topic – applying modern molecular techniques to ecological processes. Written by active researchers and teachers within the field. There will be an accompanying web site managed by the authors, comprising of worked examples, test data sets and hyperlinks to relevant web pages.

A revolutionary way to describe business, xBML (extended Business Modelling Language) is an intuitive graphical language that unlocks the DNA of a corporation using a system of diagrams based on five Ws (Who; What; Which; Where; When). xBML gives companies an complete and accurate map of their enterprise, that can then be re-used repeatedly to describe, plan and create improvement. It’s time to throw out the flow charts. xBML breaks down the silos of an enterprise and provides the means for clear, concise communication between all members of the organization. Tyler and Baker provide a complete guide to xBML, and to why unlocking an organization’s Business Genetics will lead to quantifiable business improvement.

The analysis and interpretation of data is fundamental to the subject of genetics and forms a compulsory part of the undergraduate genetics curriculum. Indeed, the key skills that a genetics student requires are an ability to design and understand experimental strategies and to use problem-solving skills to interpret experimental results and data. Genetics? No Problem! provides students with a graded set of problems that aim to enthuse, challenge and entertain the reader. The book is divided into three sections – introductory; intermediate and advanced – each with 10 problems. For first level students there will be short genetics problems embedded in a wide range of scenarios, such as murder mysteries. As the book progresses, the stories will get longer and the science will get progressively more complex to challenge final year students and enable the reader to identify genetic disease in obscure organisms as well as designing and testing treatments and cures. Genetics? No Problem!: Takes a unique, innovative approach that provides students with a set of graded problems designed to develop both their skills, and their ability to tackle problems with confidence Includes problems embedded in a narrative, written in an interesting, informative and entertaining style by an Author with a proven track record in teaching, research and communication Is well illustrated in full colour throughout. The book will prove invaluable to all students of genetics across a range of disciplines needing to get to grips with the analysis and interpretation of data that is fundamental to the subject.