Cryptic Species
Morphological Stasis, Circumscription, and Hidden Diversity
Simon J Mayo editor Alexandre K Monro editor
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
Published:8th Sep '22
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This book critically evaluates cryptic species - a growing trend in taxonomy - and their importance for evolutionary biology.
This book critically evaluates the phenomenon of cryptic species and demonstrates how they can play a valuable role in improving our understanding of evolution. It is aimed at biology researchers and undergraduate and graduate students interested in species and their delimitation, definition, and purpose.Cryptic species are organisms which look identical, but which represent distinct evolutionary lineages. They are an emerging trend in organismal biology across all groups, from flatworms, insects, amphibians, primates, to vascular plants. This book critically evaluates the phenomenon of cryptic species and demonstrates how they can play a valuable role in improving our understanding of evolution, in particular of morphological stasis. It also explores how the recognition of cryptic species is intrinsically linked to the so-called 'species problem', the lack of a unifying species concept in biology, and suggests alternative approaches. Bringing together a range of perspectives from practicing taxonomists, the book presents case studies of cryptic species across a range of animal and plant groups. It will be an invaluable text for all biologists interested in species and their delimitation, definition, and purpose, including undergraduate and graduate students and researchers.
'This is rewarding reading for evolutionary biologists and geneticists, and perhaps also for philosophers … Recommended.' M. Gochfeld, Choice
ISBN: 9781316513644
Dimensions: 262mm x 210mm x 22mm
Weight: 890g
350 pages