Migration and Colonization in Human Microevolution (Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology, Series Number 24) (Volume 0) - Softcover

Fix, Alan G.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521019540 ISBN 13: 9780521019545

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2005

Synopsis

Migration and colonization are major forces affecting the frequency, spatial pattern and spread of genes in human populations. Here, Alan Fix reviews theories of migration developed by biologists and social scientists and surveys patterns of migration in a diverse sample of human populations. Using these empirical studies, he evaluates models of migration developed by population geneticists and explores more realistic models using computer simulation. He then shows the relevance of studies of migration as a microevolutionary process to the understanding of longer term global patterns of human diversification, by examining the spread of anatomically modern Homo sapiens, the demic diffusion of agriculture in Europe, and the origins of human diversity in the Malayan Peninsula. By focusing on migration as a process rather than on its genetic consequences, the book provides a bridge between biological and social science studies of migration, genetic microevolutionary theory, and longer term human evolution.

About this title

Book Description

Migration and colonization are major forces affecting the frequency, spatial pattern and spread of genes in human populations. Differing from other books by focusing on migration as a process rather than as its genetic consequences, this volume provides a bridge between the biological and social science studies of migration, to look at the evolutionary consequences in human populations. It will provide much food for thought for professionals and students interested in how migration has affected and continues to affect human migration.

Review

"This is an excellent summary of what geneticists and evolutionary biologists should know about human migration." Quarterly Review of Biology

"...major contribution and one of very few significant works on this topical issue in recent decades." Science

"The book's treatment of these different appoaches is excellent...As such, the book will serve as a classic reference from which to further research human migration." American Jrnl of Human Biology

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521019540
• ISBN 13: 9780521019545
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256