Phylogenetics (PDF)

The long-awaited revision of the industry standard on
phylogenetics

Since the publication of the first edition of this landmark
volume more than twenty-five years ago, phylogenetic systematics
has taken its place as the dominant paradigm of systematic biology.
It has profoundly influenced the way scientists study evolution,
and has seen many theoretical and technical advances as the field
has continued to grow. It goes almost without saying that the next
twenty-five years of phylogenetic research will prove as
fascinating as the first, with many exciting developments yet to
come.

This new edition of Phylogenetics captures the very
essence of this rapidly evolving discipline. Written for the
practicing systematist and phylogeneticist, it addresses both the
philosophical and technical issues of the field, as well as surveys
general practices in taxonomy. Major sections of the book deal with
the nature of species and higher taxa, homology and characters,
trees and tree graphs, and biogeography--the purpose being to
develop biologically relevant species, character, tree, and
biogeographic concepts that can be applied fruitfully to
phylogenetics.

The book then turns its focus to phylogenetic trees, including
an in-depth guide to tree-building algorithms. Additional coverage
includes:

* Parsimony and parsimony analysis

* Parametric phylogenetics including maximum likelihood and
Bayesian approaches

* Phylogenetic classification

* Critiques of evolutionary taxonomy, phenetics, and transformed
cladistics

* Specimen selection, field collecting, and curating

* Systematic publication and the rules of nomenclature

Providing a thorough synthesis of the field, this important
update to Phylogenetics is essential for students and
researchers in the areas of evolutionary biology, molecular
evolution, genetics and evolutionary genetics, paleontology,
physical anthropology, and zoology.