"The comparative analysis of DNA sequences is becoming increasingly important in systematic and evolutionary biology and will continue to do so as faster and more efficient methods for collecting these data are developed. Large amounts of comparative sequence data will be required to answer most molecular systematic questions, but this labor-intensive effort will only be the first of several problems faced by the systematist. Although the use of DNA sequences in systematics is still in its infancy, already a healthy mixture of opinion exists about the most appropriate methods for reconstructing phylogenetic history from nucleotide data. Moreover, some question whether DNA sequences will prove to be more informative in all cases when compared to more traditional data-bases. Thus, in using DNA sequences comparatively, the biologist is confronted by staggering complexities that are often not appreciated even by the expert systematist or molecular evolutionist.
This volume has assembled an internationally recognized group of investigators representing different theoretical viewpoints and disciplines to address critically a diversity of questions about DNA systematics. The book begins with an introduction by Miyamoto and Cracraft, followed by 14 additional chapters emphasizing data acquisition, sequence analysis, and the broader systematic importance of nucleotide information. Contributors on data acquisition have focused on improved techniques for obtaining comparative sequence information by manual (Slightom et al.) and automated (Ferl et al.) approaches. With regard to data analysis, authors have concentrated on methodological problems dealing with sequence alignment (Waterman et al. and Mindell) and different tree-building algorithms (Nei, Sidow and Wilson, Fitch and Ye, and Penny et al.). Finally, contributors have focused on more general issues having broad implications within systematics. Specifically, their chapters have concentrated on the evaluation of phylogenetic reliability and information content of different sequences and data sets (Cracraft and Helm-Bychowski, Li and Gouy, and Hillis), on the relationship between molecular evolutionary bias and phylogeny reconstruction (Larson), and on the application of consensus and congruence approaches in systematics (Swofford and Wheeler).
This book has its roots in the symposium "Recent Advances in Phylogenetic Studies of DNA Sequences," which was part of the special centennial celebration of the American Society of Zoologists, held in conjunction with the Society of Systematic Zoology, on December 26-30, 1989 in Boston, Massachusetts. Researchers from different disciplines and approaches presented papers at the symposium, but rather than just describe their methods or dwell on particular groups, each participant concentrated on the strengths, limitations, and assumptions of their approaches relative to others. The diversity of topics and viewpoints represented at the symposium constituted its greatest strength, and in turn, has now become the most important quality of this book.
The following people and organizations are profoundly acknowledged for their assistance. The American Society of Zoologists and Society of Systematic Zoology contributed administrative and financial assistance for the symposium. J.S. Farris, J. Felsenstein, A.G. Kluge, T.D. Kocher, J.A. Lake, and A. Meyer presented papers at the symposium, but chose not to contribute chapters. External reviews of the individual chapters were provided by M.W. Allard, J.M. Carpenter, J. Felsenstein, D.H.A. Fitch, W.M. Fitch, D.M. Hillis, R. Holmquist, R.L. Honeycutt, B.F. Koop, W.-H. Li, D.R. Maddison, D.P. Mindell, C.J. Nairn, J.L. Patton, D.R. Siemieniak, J.L. Slightom, D.L. Swofford, B.S. Weir, W.C. Wheeler, R. Wilson, C.-I. Wu, and E.A. Zimmer. W.F. Curtis of Oxford University Press is recognized for his encouragement and for his help in seeing this volume through the initial stages of production. The book's index was compiled by M.R. Tennant, and K. Lee, and G. Kiltie, and A. McClaughry helped with all aspects of the secretarial work. Both editors were supported by National Science Foundation awards during the organization of the symposium and completion of the book. Financial assistance was also provided by our respective Departments and Universities. All of these individuals and institutions are gratefully thanked for their help and support.
Finally, Michele R. Tennant and Terry Root are especially thanked for their continuous love and support."
Apreciem sem moderação.
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