With recent technological advances, vast quantities of genetic and
genomic data are being generated at an ever-increasing pace. The
explosion in access to data has transformed the field of evolutionary
genetics. A thorough understanding of evolutionary principles is
essential for making sense of this, but new skill sets are also needed
to handle and analyze big data. This contemporary textbook covers all
the major components of modern evolutionary genetics, carefully
explaining fundamental processes such as mutation, natural selection,
genetic drift, and speciation. It also draws on a rich literature of
exciting and inspiring examples to demonstrate the diversity of
evolutionary research, including an emphasis on how evolution and
selection has shaped our own species.
Practical experience is essential for developing an understanding of how
to use genetic and genomic data to analyze and interpret results in
meaningful ways. In addition to the main text, a series of online
tutorials using the R language serves as an introduction to programming,
statistics, and analysis. Indeed the R environment stands out as an
ideal all-purpose source platform to handle and analyze such data. The
book and its online materials take full advantage of the authors' own
experience in working in a post-genomic revolution world, and introduces
readers to the plethora of molecular and analytical methods that have
only recently become available.
Evolutionary Genetics is an advanced but accessible textbook aimed
principally at students of various levels (from undergraduate to
postgraduate) but also for researchers looking for an updated
introduction to modern evolutionary biology and genetics.
