Read more
The Neotropics hold high levels of biodiversity, figuring among the essential hotspots for conservation on Earth. Invaluable genetic resources of this biogeographic dominion must deserve attention of conservationists, as well as of breeders. This project is aimed at producing a book on population genetics directed to an audience of undergraduate and graduate students but not limited to those. In a distinct approach, we seek to develop a material devoted to population genetics in the Neotropics, contextualizing examples of several animal and plant species belonging to this highly diverse dominion. Traditional books available in the subject of population genetics commonly deal with organisms that are native to North America and Europe, while neotropical organisms are lacking in the context, so our book comes forth as an initiative towards covering that.
Among several subjects, this textbook addresses studies on molecular evolution and phylogenetics, genetic structure at broad and fine spatial scales, landscape genetics, niche modeling and climate change, conservation genetics and quantitative variation and its genetic components in hotspots of biodiversity such as the Amazon, the Brazilian Savanna and the Atlantic Rain Forest. It should provide an easy going reading, with the main concepts being presented and contextualized within the Neotropical dynamics of plants and animal populations. Basic mathematical foundations of population genetics theory are provided, but no further details on deductions and advanced algebra are given, for the purpose of simplicity. The application of the studies on conservation and breeding is also addressed. The chapters were planned to be brief, describing the main concepts, processes and case studies. Invited authors were encouraged to describe examples from their own research in the Neotropics. Altogether, this project may offer students with a textbook with concepts and ideas of the Neotropical genetic diversity, bringing awareness and stimulating endeavors towards the continuance of conservation of endangered species in their environments of origin.
List of contents
Chapter 1 - Population genetics in the Neotropics - Looking back to see the way forward.- Section 1 - Principles of Population Genetics.- Chapter 2 - Why study biodiversity in Neotropics? .- Chapter 3 What is and why is genetic variation important? .- Chapter 4 What is the meaning of genetic drift? .- Chapter 5 How does natural selection modulate genetic variation?.- Chapter 6 - How do gene flow and migration affect populations?.- Chapter 7 What are the genetic consequences of inbreeding?.- Chapter 8 What is the genetic and phenotypic basis of quantitative variation in populations?.- SECTION 2 - TOOLS FOR POPULATION GENETICS.- Chapter 9 How have biochemical and molecular markers been applied in population genetics?.- Chapter 10 - How can we generate genomic resources for neotropical species?.- Chapter 11 - How to integrate population genetics with ecological modeling?.- Chapter 12 - How have genetics and genomics made it possible to understand the structure of populations in the Neotropical landscape?.- Chapter 13 - What does Phylogeography teach us about population genetics in the Neotropics?.- Section 3 - Population Genetics in Practice.- Chapter 14 - What are the strategies for genetic conservation in plant populations in the Neotropics?.- Chapter 15 - What are the strategies for genetic conservation in animal populations in the Neotropics?.- Chapter 16 - What can we say about plant domestication in the Neotropics?.- Chapter 17 - Strategies for breeding animal populations in the Neotropics.- Chapter 18 - How did evolutionary processes influence the genetic structure of humans in the Neotropics?.
