Developmental Genetics and Plant Evolution

This benchmark text integrates the recent revolution in the molecular-developmental genetics of plants with mainstream evolutionary thought. There is increasing co-operation between strongly genomics-influenced researchers, with their strong grasp of technology, and evolutionary morphogenetists and systematics who are more deeply rooted in comparative biology and patterns of plant evolution. This book discusses our increasing understanding of gene function and expression, along with modern phylogenies integrating morphological and molecular data to highlight specific key transitions in plant evolution most worthy of intensive study. Furthermore, it explores increasing knowledge of the physical expression of plant development from disciplines such as anatomy and palaeobotany. Rather than focus on the technical aspects of plant genomics, this book provides genuinely integrated explanations of plant evolution. This leading panel of contributors have succeeded in turning a demanding subject into an accessible volume for a wide range of professional botanists and postgraduate and senior undergraduates in developmental biology, applied molecular biology, molecular evolution, morphogenesis, organismal botany and theoretical systematics.