Evolutionary Quantitative Genetics

The impetus for this book arose out of my previous book, The Evolution of Life Histories (Roff, 1992). In that book I presented a single chapter on quanti­ tative genetic theory. However, as the book was concerned with the evolution of life histories and traits connected to this, the presence of quantitative genetic variation was an underlying theme throughout. Much of the focus was placed on optimality theory, for it is this approach that has proven to be extremely successful in the analysis of life history variation. But quantitative genetics cannot be ig­ nored, because there are some questions for which optimality approaches are inappropriate; for example, although optimality modeling can address the ques­ tion of the maintenance of phenotypic variation, it cannot say anything about genetic variation, on which further evolution clearly depends. The present book is, thus, a natural extension of the first. I have approached the problem not from the point of view of an animal or plant breeder but from that of one interested in understanding the evolution of quantitative traits in wild populations. The subject is large with a considerable body of theory: I generally present the assumptions underlying the analysis and the results, giving the relevant references for those interested in the intervening mathematics. My interest is in what quantitative genetics tells me about evolutionary processes; therefore, I have concentrated on areas of research most relevant to field studies. Focusing On Issues Relating To Evolutionary Biology And Ecology, This Important Reference Provides A Comprehensive, Up-to-date Study Of Quantitative Genetics. Coverage Includes Both Topics Necessary For A General Understanding Of Quantitative Genetic Analyses And Those Associated With Evolutionary Processes In Natural Populations. With Its Unique Emphasis On Evolutionary Issues, Evolutionary Quantitative Genetics Will Be An Essential Resource For Ecologists And Evolutionary Biologists With An Interest In Genetics. In Addition, Geneticists And Molecular Biologists Will Benefit From The Exhaustive, Current Coverage And The Numerous References. Evolutionary Quantitative Genetics Is Written At A Level Suitable For Advanced Undergraduates Or Graduate Students And For Researchers In The Field. Ch. 1. Introduction -- Ch. 2. Heritability -- Ch. 3. The Genetic Correlation -- Ch. 4. Directional Selection -- Ch. 5. Directional Selection And The Correlated Response -- Ch. 6. Phenotypic Plasticity And Reaction Norms -- Ch. 7. Sex-related Effects On Quantitative Variation -- Ch. 8. Bottlenecks, Finite Populations, And Inbreeding -- Ch. 9. The Maintenance Of Genetic Variation -- Ch. 10. A Summing Up. Derek A. Roff. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-xv Introduction....Pages 1-23 Heritability....Pages 24-72 The Genetic Correlation....Pages 73-117 Directional Selection....Pages 118-164 Directional Selection and the Correlated Response....Pages 165-195 Phenotypic Plasticity and Reaction Norms....Pages 196-240 Sex-Related Effects on Quantitative Variation....Pages 241-284 Bottlenecks, Finite Populations, and Inbreeding....Pages 285-338 The Maintenance of Genetic Variation....Pages 339-387 A Summing Up....Pages 388-398 Back Matter....Pages 399-493 This new textbook in quantitative genetics incorporates an evolutionary viewpoint, combining the theoretical basis of quantitative genetics with respect to evolution in natural populations and various statistical methods of analysis. Topics of current research such as genetic correlation and phenotypic plasticity are included. The book addresses the current problems in quantitative genetic evolutionary theory and presents the most commonly used methods of analysis Comprehensive reference on quantitative genetics, with emphasis on issues relating to evolutionary biology and ecology. For ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and advanced students.