The mathematical foundations of phylogenetics are Semple and Steel's (both mathematics and statistics, U. of Canterbury, New Zealand) main concern as they address a basic problem that has been of interest since Darwin first proposed the theory of evolution: how can the present characteristics of a group of species be used to infer, in their evolution from a common ancestor, the historical relationships between these species. The evolutionary or phylogenetic tree has been used to represent such relationships. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
'Phylogenetics' is the reconstruction and analysis of phylogenetic (evolutionary) trees and networks based on inherited characteristics. It is a flourishing area of interaction between mathematics, statistics, computer science and biology.
The main role of phylogenetic techniques lies in evolutionary biology, where it is used to infer historical relationships between species. However, the methods are also relevant to a diverse range of fields including epidemiology, ecology, medicine, as well as linguistics and cognitive psychology
This book is intended for biologists interested in the mathematical theory behind phylogenetic methods, and for mathematicians, statisticians, and computer scientists eager to learn about this emerging area of discrete mathematics.
'Phylogenetics' in the 24th volume in the Oxford Lecture Series in Mathematics and its Applications. This series contains short books suitable for graduate students and researchers who want a well-written account of mathematics that is fundamental to current to research. The series emphasises future directions of research and focuses on genuine applications of mathematics to finance, engineering and the physical and biological sciences.
