Human Population Genetics - (Foundation of Human Biology) by John H Relethford (Paperback)

About the Book

Includes bibliographical references (p. 267-278) index.

Book Synopsis

Introductory guide to human population genetics and microevolutionary theory

Providing an introduction to mathematical population genetics, Human Population Genetics gives basic background on the mechanisms of human microevolution. This text combines mathematics, biology, and anthropology and is best suited for advanced undergraduate and graduate study.

Thorough and accessible, Human Population Genetics presents concepts and methods of population genetics specific to human population study, utilizing uncomplicated mathematics like high school algebra and basic concepts of probability to explain theories central to the field. By describing changes in the frequency of genetic variants from one generation to the next, this book hones in on the mathematical basis of evolutionary theory.

Human Population Genetics includes:

• Helpful formulae for learning ease

• Graphs and analogies that make basic points and relate the evolutionary process to mathematical ideas

• Glossary terms marked in boldface within the book the first time they appear

• In-text citations that act as reference points for further research

• Exemplary case studies

• Topics such as Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, inbreeding, mutation, genetic drift, natural selection, and gene flow

Human Population Genetics solidifies knowledge learned in introductory biological anthropology or biology courses and makes it applicable to genetic study.

NOTE: errata for the first edition can be found at the author's website: http: //employees.oneonta.edu/relethjh/HPG/errata.pdf

From the Back Cover

Introductory guide to human population genetics and microevolutionary theory

Providing an introduction to mathematical population genetics, Human Population Genetics gives basic background on the mechanisms of human microevolution. This text combines mathematics, biology, and anthropology and is best suited for advanced undergraduate and graduate study.

Thorough and accessible, Human Population Genetics presents concepts and methods of population genetics specific to human population study, utilizing uncomplicated mathematics like high school algebra and basic concepts of probability to explain theories central to the field. By describing changes in the frequency of genetic variants from one generation to the next, this book hones in on the mathematical basis of evolutionary theory.

Human Population Genetics includes:

• Helpful formulae for learning ease

• Graphs and analogies that make basic points and relate the evolutionary process to mathematical ideas

• Glossary terms marked in boldface within the book the first time they appear

• In-text citations that act as reference points for further research

• Exemplary case studies

• Topics such as Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, inbreeding, mutation, genetic drift, natural selection, and gene flow

Human Population Genetics solidifies knowledge learned in introductory biological anthropology or biology courses and makes it applicable to genetic study.

Review Quotes

"Relethford's Human Population Geneticsis a superb attempt at facing the challenges of explaining the basics of population genetics to those with a limited background in evolutionary theory and a fear of the quantitative." (The Quarterly Review of Biology, 1 September 2014)

"For many students, and likely some instructors, who have found the mathematical underpinnings of evolutionary genetics daunting, this new volume will be a welcome addition to the bookshelf. It is an easy book to recommend either as a primary text in anthropological genetics courses, or as a recommended or adjunct text in upper division/beginning graduate courses in human biology, human genetics, or human evolution." (American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 19 September 2013)

About the Author

Dr. John H. Relethford (Distinguished Teaching Professor) is a biological anthropologist who received his Ph.D. in anthropology in 1980 from the State University of New York at Albany. Dr. Relethford's major interests are in the fields of anthropological genetics, human variation, and modern human origins. Much of his research has focused on the reconstruction of history from patterns of modern biological variation. His past work has also included studies of migration, quantitative genetics, child growth, epidemiology, and aging. His current work focuses on two topics, the evolutionary history of Irish populations and the origin of modern humans.