Books in the Systematics Association Special Volumes series

Discussing the diversity and evolution of plants, this volume takes a molecular approach. It looks at population genetics, phylogeny (history of evolution) and developmental genetics, to provide a framework from which to understand evolutionary patterns and relationships amongst plants.

There have been radical changes and controversy surrounding the methods used, problems to be addressed, and conclusions drawn in phylogenetic reconstruction. This book looks at all these changes and provides an up-to-date review of the subject.

The aim of this book is to bring together information from biologists from all the diverse disciplines with an interest in plant galls and to demonstrate the range of viewpoints from which galls can be studied; scientists from the same wide array of backgrounds, whether ecology, systematics, physiology, plant-animal interactions or coevolution, will find material of interest within it.

There is increasing cooperation between genomics-influenced researchers, with their strong grasp of technology and evolutionary morphogenetists, more deeply rooted in comparative biology and patterns of plant evolution. This title discusses gene function and expression to highlight specific key transitions in plant evolution.

Provides a much needed summary of the interdisciplinary work between biologists and mathematicians who study shape and form of organisms and those who work on evolutionary relationships by analysis of common characteristic

This volume brings together novel approaches from such diverse fields as palaeobotany, ontogeny, molecular biology, and systematics. Three main issues are discussed: the evidence provided by the fossil record, the contribution of ontogenetic data, and methods of systematic analysis.

Looks at the effort of several groups, especially the Global Bioinformation Diversity Facility, to catalog the world's biodiversity and make it accessible via databases. This work covers such technology as DNA barcoding and its applications, computer-assisted species identification, digital morphology, and E-typification.

Flagellated protozoa are important members of aquatic ecosystems. This book reviews the diversity of flagellates, each chapter focusing on a specific area in order to provides a synthesis of information on such organisms.

Demonstrates how phylogenetics and developmental biology can provide complementary and mutually supportive information about evolutionary events which have had a significant impact on life on this planet, e.g. the origin of jaws and fins.

Offers a compilation of the patterns of plant biodiversity in the species-rich savannas and seasonally dry forests of the neotropics. This book focuses on the molecular phylogenies and molecular population genetics for uncovering biogeographic history. It looks at evolutionary history, including links to analogous vegetation in Africa.

Based on contributions for some of the experts in both fields, this book bridges the gap between palaeogeographers and palaeobiographers, two communities of researchers who work on the same issues but typically use different types of data. It emphasizes the availability and use of electronic resources and analytical software.

Tropical lichens are not only of interest in themselves but are of importance in the study of the ecosystems of which they are a part. Information on tropical lichens has not hitherto been readily available in book form, and the object of this volume is to synthesize what is known at present and to indicate areas where further research is needed.

The Prymnesiophyte algae are of special interest because of their importance for dating rocks and sediments and for their potential environmental effects. This volume covers all aspects of Prymnesiophyte biology, including taxonomy, structure, ecology, biochemistry, origins and evolution.

The last major report on the state of the British countryside was written in 1974. This volume makes an assessment of what has happened to biodiversity in the intervening period, reviewing the factors affecting losses, gains and change.

Based on contributions from eminent experts in both fields, this book bridges the gap between palaeogeographers and palaeobiogeographers, two communities of researchers who work on the same issues but typically use different types of data. It emphasises the availability and use of electronic resources and analytical software. It also covers the burgeoning array of software packages that store and manipulate spatial data, allow palaeogeographic maps to be drawn and used to plot spatial distributions, and utilise analytical methods that reconstruct the biogeographic histories of taxa.