Molecular Evolution A Statistical Opproach

Presents and explains the statistical methods and computational algorithms developed in molecular evolution, phylogenetics and phylogeography for the comparative analysis of genetic sequence data
• Clear explanations of complex statistical models and principles, using examples of real data analysis and numerical calculations to illustrate the theory
• Web-based support material includes example data sets, C and R programs that implement computational algorithms discussed in the book, and a primer on probably and statistics
• Ideal graduate seminar course material with working problems at the end of each chapter
Studies of evolution at the molecular level have experienced phenomenal growth in the last few decades, due to rapid accumulation of genetic sequence data, improved computer hardware and software, and the development of sophisticated analytical methods. The flood of genomic data has generated an acute need for powerful statistical methods and efficient computational algorithms to enable their effective analysis and interpretation.

„ I think Molecular Evolution: A Statistical Approach would also work very well as a text for a graduate level course in statistical phylogenetics ... The exercises at the end of each chapterwould be useful for academics anting to use the book as a course textquestions cover an interesting range of problems that would get the class both thinking and programming." - Barbara R. Holland, Systematic Biology
Ziheng Yang, RA Fisher Professor of Statistical Genetics, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London
Ziheng Yang is currently RA Fisher Professor of Statistical Genetics in University College London. He obtained a Ph. D in agronomy in Beijing Agricultural University in 1992. Since then he held a few postdoctoral researcher positions in the UK and US. He joined UCL in 1997, first as a lecturer, then reader and professor. He teaches statistical genetics. He has published about 150 research papers and book chapters in molecular evolution, phylogenetics, population genetics, and computational biology. His program package paml is widely used in the molecular evolution community. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2006.