The Causes of Molecular Evolution: (Oxford Series in Ecology and Evolution)

This work provides a unified theory that addresses the important problem of the origin and maintenance of genetic variation in natural populations. With modern molecular techniques, variation is found in all species, sometimes at astonishingly high levels. Yet the forces that maintain variation within and between species have been difficult subjects of study. Because they act very weakly and operate over vast time scales, scientists must rely on indirect inferences and speculative mathematical models. The author's research in molecular genetics, evolution, and bio-mathematics has enabled him to draw on his work, and present a coherent and valuable view of the field. The book is divided into three parts. The first addresses protein evolution, DNA evolution, and molecular mechanisms, reviewing the experimental observations on genetic variation. The second gives a unified treatment of the mathematical theory of selection in a fluctuating environment. The final section combines the earlier assessments in a treatment of the scientific status of two competing theories for the maintenance of genetic variation.

Table of Contents:
1: Protein Evolution 2: DNA Evolution 3: The Molecular Clock 4: Selection in a Fluctuating Environment 5: Strong-Selection, Weak-Mutation Approximations 6: Neutral Allele Theories 7: Selection Theories

Review :
"John Gillespie has thought harder than anyone else about the subtleties of the ways in which natural selection can bring about variation and evolution at the molecular level, and he has an enviable command of the theoretical and empirical literature on molecular evolution. [His book] deserves the careful attention of everyone interested in this field....Well written and informative." --Science "I like this book, and it is valuable to have many elements of the debate under one cover....This work will begin to counter the influence that defenders of the neutral theory have enjoyed over the past decade....A timely contribution which will promote interest in the study of adaptation at the molecular level." --Nature "Presents a unified theory that tackles the important current problem of the origin and maintenance of the genetic variation found in natural populations. Consideration of the great advances made in the discipline of population genetics makes this of interest to many readers." --Choice "Gillespie provides the first thorough assessment of the success of selectionist and neutralist arguments in explaining the data on genetic variation." --The Times Higher Education Supplement "Examines the whole question of molecular evolution, with reference to both experimental and mathematical approaches. The layout of the book allows the three parts to be read independently, which may be useful for those not mathematically inclined....Recommended for geneticists, biologists, and evolutionary theorists." --Animal Breeding Abstracts "Students in molecular evolution will welcome this book....An initial attempt to introduce realistic assumptions into current models of molecular evolution and contains many stimulating and often provocative ideas." --Laurent Excoffier (University of Geneva), Human Biology "John Gillespie has thought harder than anyone else about the subtleties of the ways in which natural selection can bring about variation and evolution at the molecular level, and he has an enviable command of the theoretical and empirical literature on molecular evolution. [His book] deserves the careful attention of everyone interested in this field....Well written and informative." --Science "I like this book, and it is valuable to have many elements of the debate under one cover....This work will begin to counter the influence that defenders of the neutral theory have enjoyed over the past decade....A timely contribution which will promote interest in the study of adaptation at the molecular level." --Nature "Presents a unified theory that tackles the important current problem of the origin and maintenance of the genetic variation found in natural populations. Consideration of the great advances made in the discipline of population genetics makes this of interest to many readers." --Choice "Gillespie provides the first thorough assessment of the success of selectionist and neutralist arguments in explaining the data on genetic variation." --The Times Higher Education Supplement "Examines the whole question of molecular evolution, with reference to both experimental and mathematical approaches. The layout of the book allows the three parts to be read independently, which may be useful for those not mathematically inclined....Recommended for geneticists, biologists, and evolutionary theorists." --Animal Breeding Abstracts "Students in molecular evolution will welcome this book....An initial attempt to introduce realistic assumptions into current models of molecular evolution and contains many stimulating and often provocative ideas." --Laurent Excoffier (University of Geneva), Human Biology