A Primer of Ecological Genetics

by Jeffrey K. Conner, Daniel L. Hartl

This book covers basic concepts in population and quantitative genetics, including measuring selection on phenotypic traits. The emphasis is on material applicable to field studies of evolution focusing on ecologically important traits. Topics addressed are critical for training students in ecology, evolution, conservation biology, agriculture, forestry, and wildlife management.

Many texts in this field are too complex and mathematical to allow the average beginning student to readily grasp the key concepts. A Primer of Ecological Genetics , in contrast, employs mathematics and statistics--fully explained, but at a less advanced level--as tools to improve understanding of biological principles. The main goal is to enable students to understand the concepts well enough that they can gain entry into the primary literature. Integration of the different chapters of the book shows students how diverse concepts relate to each other.


For Students

Solutions to Problems

Solutions to all of the problems in the textbook, worked out in full, are available. (See the Solutions to Problems button at right.)


For Instructors (Available to qualified adopters)

The Instructor's Resource Library features all of the textbook's figures, tables, and equations, provided in ready-to-use PowerPoint presentations. All of the images have been formatted and optimized for excellent projection quality.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Textbooks

320 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

Reviews

[Lillie]

As a community ecologist, my background in genetics has been sparse. I thought the concepts were well-laid out and easy to grasp as someone with a scientific (but not genetic) background. I do wish there was an equation/symbol page or symbols were presented in a table - my most recent campaign to stop hiding parts of equations in the text!

[Aušrinė]

Labai gera knyga visiems, norintiems susipažinti su ekologine genetika. Skaitosi maloniai, lengvai, parašyta suprantamai. Tikriausiai kada nors ateityje prie šio vadovėlio dar sugrįšiu - kai kurie skyriai liko neperskaityti.

[Vincent Formica]

Very good primer. I refer to it all the time and also lend it to my students.

[Fernanda Fadel]

I only read Chapter 4 - Quantitative genetics I: Genetic variation.
This is the chapter that includes heritability, which is what I needed.

In general, it's a easy to read book. It's for introducing the topics on population genetics for people from other areas.

Some examples and concepts are outdated. They really could use a new edition since in general it's a really good introductory book.