A Companion to Anthropological Genetics (Wiley Blackwell Companions to Anthropology)

Explore the latest research in anthropological genetics and understand the genome’s role in cultural and social development A Companion to Anthropological Genetics illustrates the role of genetic analysis in advancing the modern study of human origins, populations, evolution, and diversity. Broad in scope, this essential reference work establishes and explores the relationship between genetic research and the major questions of anthropological study. Through contributions by leading researchers, this collection explores molecular genetics and evolutionary mechanisms in the context of macro- and microevolution, paleontology, phylogeny, diet, and disease, with detailed explanations of quantitative methods, including coalescent and approximate Bayesian computation. With an emphasis on contextualizing new and developing genetic research within anthropological frameworks, this text offers critical perspective on the conditions of molecular evolution that accompany cultural and social transformation, while also addressing critical disciplinary questions, such as the ethical issues surrounding ancestry testing and community-based genetic research. Acts as an essential reference on the contributions of genetic science to the field of anthropology Features new work by leading researchers of the field Explores the evolution of immunity, including the genetics and epigenetics of pathogens, chronic illness, and disease resistance Provides in-depth examination of mutation and dietary adaptation, including AMY1 , lactase persistence, and sensory polymorphisms Explains essential quantitative and phylogenetic methods for aligning genomic analysis with evolution and migration time scales Offering thorough coverage on leading questions and developing research, A Companion to Anthropological Genetics is a comprehensive resource for students and scholars. **Explore the latest research in anthropological genetics and understand the genome’s role in cultural and social development** __A Companion to Anthropological Genetics__ illustrates the role of genetic analysis in advancing the modern study of human origins, populations, evolution, and diversity. Broad in scope, this essential reference work establishes and explores the relationship between genetic research and the major questions of anthropological study. Through contributions by leading researchers, this collection explores molecular genetics and evolutionary mechanisms in the context of macro- and microevolution, paleontology, phylogeny, diet, and disease, with detailed explanations of quantitative methods, including coalescent and approximate Bayesian computation. With an emphasis on contextualizing new and developing genetic research within anthropological frameworks, this text offers critical perspective on the conditions of molecular evolution that accompany cultural and social transformation, while also addressing critical disciplinary questions, such as the ethical issues surrounding ancestry testing and community-based genetic research. * Acts as an essential reference on the contributions of genetic science to the field of anthropology * Features new work by leading researchers of the field * Explores the evolution of immunity, including the genetics and epigenetics of pathogens, chronic illness, and disease resistance * Provides in-depth examination of mutation and dietary adaptation, including __AMY1__, lactase persistence, and sensory polymorphisms * Explains essential quantitative and phylogenetic methods for aligning genomic analysis with evolution and migration time scales COVER Contents About the Editor Notes on Contributors Preface PART I Anthropological Genetics in Context CHAPTER 1 History and Evolution of Anthropological Genetics CHAPTER 2 The Ethics of Genetic Ancestry Testing CHAPTER 3 CommunityOriented Research and the Future of Anthropological Genetics PART II Macroevolution and Phylogenetics CHAPTER 4 Calibrating the Clock CHAPTER 5 Primate Genomics and Phylogenetics CHAPTER 6 The Neanderthal and Denisovan Genomes CHAPTER 7 Evaluating Correspondence in Phenotypic Variation, Genetic Diversity, Geography, and Environmental Factors CHAPTER 8 Simulating Human Demographic Processes and Patterns of Genetic Variation PART III Microevolution: Colonization, Dispersal, and Differentiation CHAPTER 9 Human Population Structure and History CHAPTER 10 Regional Patterns of Variation: Concepts and Applications CHAPTER 11 Genetic Variation and the Colonization of Eurasia CHAPTER 12 Homo sapiens Dispersal and the Peopling of the Americas CHAPTER 13 Ancient DNA and Bioarcheology PART IV Human Adaptation: Natural Selection and Physiological Variation CHAPTER 14 Tempo of Recent Human Evolution CHAPTER 15 Natural Selection and Adaptation to Extreme Environments: High Latitudes and Altitudes CHAPTER 16 Sensory Polymorphisms and Dietary Adaptation CHAPTER 17 The Evolution of the Human Pigmentation Phenotype CHAPTER 18 Anthropological Genetics and Growth and Development CHAPTER 19 Epigenetics and Human Variation PART V Anthropology, Genetics, and the Evolution of Health and Disease CHAPTER 20 The Primate Immune System: A Survey of Innate and Acquired Immune Genes CHAPTER 21 Genetics, Evolutionary Medicine, and the Evolution of Human Pathogens References Index "Like most academic disciplines, anthropological genetics experienced a long period of development and maturation, characterized by 'hybridization' between physical (biological) anthropology, human genetics, and molecular biology. The first acknowledgement, of which I'm aware, of anthropological genetics as a distinct academic field is in an article title (Assumption and Fact in Anthropological Genetics) by Derek Roberts in 1965. Thus, we have just recently passed the 50 year anniversary of the 'emergence' of the discipline. The real foundation of the field, however, is usually pinned to Crawford and Workman's seminal volume, Method and Theory in Anthropological Genetics, published 45 years ago this spring"--Provided by publisher