Melanism: Evolution in Action - Softcover

Majerus, Michael E. N.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198549822 ISBN 13: 9780198549826

Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A., 2005

Synopsis

Melanism: Evolution in Action describes a ubiquitous biological phenomenon, the existence of dark forms of many species of mammals, insects, and some plants. Melanism is a particularly important phenomenon for understanding evolution. Unlike many polymorphisms, the rise of a melanic population within a species can be identified easily and often occurs quickly. Examples of melanism include one of the most famous illustrations of natural selection, the peppered moth. This beautifully illustrated book, the first on melanism since 1973, gives a lucid and up-to-date appraisal of the subject. The first four chapters place melanism in historical and scientific context, giving numerous examples and an overview of physical and genetic properties. The next five chapters focus on melanism in moths and ladybugs; they examine the diverse evolutionary reasons for melanism and uncover some of the complexities behind this apparently simple phenomenon. The final chapter looks at the important role melanism plays in evolutionary biology. Written in an engaging and readable style, this book will have broad appeal to students and researchers in evolution, ecology, entomology, and genetics.

About this title

About the Author

Michael Majerus began collecting butterflies and moths when he was four. His fascination with this group, and in particular their value in studying evolution, has spanned almost forty years, and dominated his professional career. He has written over 100 scientific papers and three books on these subjects, and regularly appears on television and radio. A fellow of Clare College, Cambridge, he currently works as a lecturer in the Department of Genetics at the University of Cambridge, where he is researching melanic polymorphism in moths and ladybirds. Michael Majerus, Department of Genetics, Downing St., Cambridge, CB2 3EH. Tel. 01223-333983; Fax. 01223-333992; email: menm@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A.
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198549822
• ISBN 13: 9780198549826
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 372