The comparative method for studying adaptation; Why worry about phylogeny?; Reconstructing phylogenetic trees and ancestral character states; Comparative analysis of discrete data; Comparative analysis of continuous variables; Determining the form of comparative relationships; Conclusion; References
`Paul Harvey has been in the vanguard of the research that, in the
past 10 years or so, has been introducing proper statistics into
comparative biology. His new book with mark Pagel is an
authoritative and remarkably up-to-date account of the many
comparative methods which have recently been put into print. Times
Higher Education Supplement
'Harvey and Pagel's compelling survey of the powerful analytical
techniques currently available for the study of adaptation in a
phylogenetic context provides the basis for new and deeper insights
into the origin of and maintenance of organic diversity.'
Science, Vol. 254, 1991
'Certainly, this is a seminal, welcome and utterly mandatory book
for anyone interested (pro or con) in the comparative study of
adaptation.'
Trends in Ecology and Evolution Vol. 7, No. 2
'Was Darwin right? The authors of this earnest and useful book have
long been involved in developing and testing methods to distinguish
these effects. They have produced a book that will be essential
reading for those faced with the problem. Lecturers will find it a
gold mine of interesting examples. This in itself will make the
book worthwhile for many ... the book is a major step in the
comparative study of biological taxa. Evolutionists and
statisticians
can learn a lot from this book.'
D. Penny, Massey University, Journal of Classification, Vol. 9, No.
1/92
'A book to be recommended for everyone interested in evolutionary
biology.'
V.P. Chopra, Anthropologischer Anzeiger, Jahrg. 51, Heft 4
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