About the Book
This book reviews the developments and achievements of systematics in the 50 years since the foundation of the Systematics Association in 1937, and more particularly since the publication of "The New Systematics", edited for the Association by Sir Julian Huxley in 1940. It is based on an international symposium held by the Association to mark its golden jubilee in 1987. Botanists, microbiologists, palaeontologists, zoologists, theoreticians, practitioners and users have contributed articles on differing aspects of the subject and the directions in which it might develop into the next century. The impression created is one of an active subject adapting concepts and practices to accommodate new information from rapidly expanding areas of biology, but also one which needs to take increased note of the requirements of its users. The contributors argue that the main challenge for systematics in the coming decades is the need to re-establish its position as the keystone of biology.
Table of Contents:
Part 1 Introduction: systematics, D.L.Hawksworth, F.A.Bisby (Department of Biology, University of Southampton); recent historical developments, E.Mayr (Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University); the structure of systematics, V.H.Heywood (Department of Botany, University of Reading). Part 2 Systematics and evolution: the impact of evolutionary theories on systematics, C.Patterson (British Museum); species concepts and speciation in parasites, M.F.Claridge (Department of Zoology, University College, Cardiff); the detection of phylogeny, J.Felsenstein (Department of Genetics, University of Washington); the contribution of palaeontology to systematics and evolution, A.Hallam (Geology Department, University of Birmingham). Part 3 Implications of modern methods: the new genetics, G.A.Dover (Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge); the estimation of protein and nucleic acid homologies, J.P.W.Young (John Innes Institute, Norwich); isozyme studies and their interpretation, A.Ferguson (Department of Zoology, Queen's University, Belfast); some implications of the revolution in molecular biology, K.A.Joysey (University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge); electron microscopy in systematics - genesis and revelations, J.G.Duckett (Botany Department, Queen Mary College, London); numerical techniques as an aid to objectivity, J.C.Gower (Statistics Department, Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden); the phenetic and cladistic approaches, P.H.A.Sneath (Department of Microbiology, University of Leicester). Part 4 Taxonomic information systems: communications in taxonomy, F.A.Bisby; automated taxonomic descriptions, L.Watson (Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University) et al; the uses and future of bibliographic database systems, S.G.Dextre Clarke (CAB International, Slough); taxonomically intelligent database programs, R.Allkin (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew); towards a unified system of biological nomenclature, W.D.L.Ride (School of Applied Science, Canberra College of Advanced Education). Part 5 Systematics and applications: exploitation of taxonomic databases in selective isolation programmes, R.D.Nolan (ICI Pharmaceuticals Division, Macclesfield); the needs of plant breeding, agriculture and horticulture, B.Pickersgill (Department of Agricultural Botany, University of Reading); the demands of medicine and veterinary science, R.L.J.Muller (CAB International Institute of Parasitology, St Albans), J.R.Baker. Part 6 Prospects for the next century: user needs in systematics and obstacles to their fulfilment, P.T.Haskell (University College, Cardiff), P.J.Morgan (National Museum of Wales, Cardiff); systematics in the education of biologists, R.J.Berry (Department of Zoology, University College, London); the view from the origin and early evolution of life - secession of the Protoctista from the animal and plant kingdoms, L.Margulis (Department of Biology, Boston University). Index. Systematics Association publications.
