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Contents:

Part 1 - Introduction; Part 2 - Evolutionary genetics; Part 3 - Adaptation and Natural Selection; Part 4 - Evolution and Diversity; Part 5 - Macroevolution.

Review:

The fact that this text has run to three editions in slightly over 10 years attests to both the development of the subject and the interest in it. Whereas evolution was of only marginal interest to ecology forty or more years ago, it has now become central to much of our work as we seek deeper explanations of new patterns and better analysis of old ones. This subject, allied as it it to genetics and molecular ecology is poised to take an even more central role in our studies. Therefore, any text which seeks to study the subject in detail, as this does, is worth further study.

The 23 chapters of this book are arranged into five parts corresponding, so argues the author, to the main areas of study. Usefully, we start with four chapters comprising an introduction to the subject. The rise of evolutionary biology is an appropriate starting point because the developmental history of a subject is often left out or glossed over and yet it provides a firm anchor for the beginner (one of the target markets of this book). From here the reader is introduced to genetics from both Mendelian and molecular perspectives. Since evolution has always been a controversial subject the inclusion of 'evidence for evolution' is to be welcomed. A final chapter on natural selection completes this part. With the reader having a good grasp of the development and key concepts of evolution, part two moves on to look at evolutionary genetics. Population genetics is a key area of study. This part starts by examining the basic models of population genetics. Other chapters add detail to the work so that more detail can be added. For example, chapter six deals with random effects on genetics: both random sampling and drift are key issues here. This is then taken further to see the effect this has on molecular evolution. The final chapters look at more complex situations with multi-loci models and the methods behind them. Part three looks at an old issue, adaptation, in a new light. Although this idea was known before Darwin, modern ideas have increased our understanding. An adaptation is a change but not all changes are adaptations as is made clear early on in this part. The author argues that only natural selection produces adaptations. Of course, the next part of the argument is adaptation for whom i.e. who precisely benefits - is it the genome, organism, species? A final chapter uses a range of case studies to show the practical study of adaptation. Part four looks at diversity from the point of view of evolution. We start with speciation - the creation of two species from one and then move on to look at relationships between species (phylogeny) and the principles of biological classification. A final chapter in this part looks at the impact these areas have on biogeography. Most evolution is small-scale. Part five looks at the larger changes - macroevolution i.e. changes above the level of speciation. This starts with an overview of the history of life and moves on to evolutionary genomics and evolutionary development. The rate of evolution (or speciation) is controversial because there are a range of competing theories for rates of change. Readers are introduced to these arguments here along with co-evolution (changes in one species due to changes in another) and the concept of diversity.

There are a range of devices to help the reader in each chapter. Boxes and sidebars add detail and provide guidance respectively. Review questions reinforce learning and summaries, introductions and brief review lists all help get better understanding and greater depth in study. Of particular interest is the dedicated website which has one of the best range of features of such sites including image downloads, virtual experiments, further references and classic papers. Overall, this is a most impressive package. The upgrade in this edition has made it one of the key texts in its field. Although aimed at teachers and undergraduates it would suit extension work in senior students. This really deserves it's place on the library shelves.