"The study reported here explores the possibilities of investigating the important question of genetic and environmental interaction by genetic methods utilizing the techniques of morphological description and measurement. The complex nature of man's genetic variation and some of the problems which are unique to human studies are reviewed. The twin method is then evaluated, within the context of our understanding of the phenomenon of human twinning, for its usefulness in detecting genetic variability and analyzing genetic and environmental interaction. With this background, the twin method is then applied to the study of different descriptions and measurements of morphological variation. Because this is a preliminary study, emphasis has been placed upon the methods of investigation and upon providing an empirical basis for the application of genetic and morphological studies to different human problems. It is hoped that the methods presented here and the results of this analysis will suggest further twin research and morphological studies in genetics, anthropology, and the medical sciences. While the present study was designed for the analysis of genetic and environmental effects on what may be termed "normal" morphological variation, selection of the subjects on the basis of medical histories and examinations has made it possible to extend considerably the scope of the investigation. Most of the data relating to medical information have been reported elsewhere. Those aspects which have a bearing on the evaluation of the twin method or the analysis of morphological variables are reported here. Extensive data available from the records of the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center also have been incorporated. The Twin Study Project was carried out under the auspices of the Institute for the Study of Human Variation in Columbia University, and was conducted within the facilities of the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. The collection of the data was started in September 1952 with a poll of all new admissions to Vanderbilt Clinic, for twins; it was completed in March 1956"--Preface. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

The Arthur M. Sackler Colloquia of the National Academy of Sciences address scientific topics of broad and current interest, cutting across the boundaries of traditional disciplines. Each year, four or five such colloquia are scheduled, typically two days in length and international in scope. Colloquia are organized by a member of the Academy, often with the assistance of an organizing committee, and feature presentations by leading scientists in the field and discussions with a hundred or more researchers with an interest in the topic. Colloquia presentations are recorded and posted on the National Academy of Sciences Sackler colloquia website and published on CD-ROM. These Colloquia are made possible by a generous gift from Mrs. Jill Sackler, in memory of her husband, Arthur M. Sackler.

Despite recent advances in genetics, development, anatomy, systematics, and morphometrics, the synthesis of ideas and research agenda put forth in the classic Morphological Integration remains remarkably fresh, timely, and relevant. Pioneers in reexamining morphology, Everett Olson and Robert Miller were among the first to explore the concept of the integrated organism in both living and extinct populations. In a new foreword and afterword, biologists Barry Chernoff and Paul Magwene summarize the landmark achievements made by Olson and Miller and bring matters discussed in the book up to date, suggest new methods, and accentuate the importance of continued research in morphological integration. Everett C. Olson was a professor at the University of Chicago and at the University of California, Los Angeles. He was a former president of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. Robert L. Miller was associate professor of geology at the University of Chicago, associate scientist in marine geology at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and a member of the board of editors of the Journal of Geology.

Two of the great mysteries of biology yet to be explored concern the distribution and abundance of genetic variation in natural populations and the genetic architecture of complex traits. These are tied together by their relationship to natural selection and evolutionary history, and some of the keys to disclosing these secrets lie in the study of wild organisms in their natural environments. This book, featuring a superb selection of papers from leading authors, summarizes the state of current understanding about the extent of genetic variation within wild populations and the ways to monitor such variation. It proposes the idea that a fundamental objective of evolutionary ecology is necessary to predict organism, population, community, and ecosystem response to environmental change. In fact, the overall theme of the papers centers around the expression of genetic variation and how it is shaped by the action of natural selection in the natural environment. Patterns of adaptation in the past and the genetic basis of traits likely to be under selection in a dynamically changing environment is discussed along with a wide variety of techniques to test for genetic variation and its consequences, ranging from classical demography to the use of molecular markers. This book is perfect for professionals and graduate students in genetics, biology, ecology, conservation biology, and evolution.

This is the first compendium of protocols specifically geared towards genetic variation studies. It includes detailed step-by-step experimental protocols that cover the complete spectrum of genetic variation in humans and model organisms, along with advice on study design and analyzing data.

The goldfish, Carassius auratus, a member of the Carp family, Cyprinidae, has been domesticated for many hundreds of years, as a food fish, a laboratory animal and now most important commercially, for ornamental and aesthetic purposes. There are now many scores of recognised varieties, which have been produced over time by selection processes and other methods described in detail in this stimulating book. Goldfish Varieties and Genetics covers all major aspects relating to goldfish breeding and genetics in a readable and user-friendly style. An account is presented of the domestication and evolution of the goldfish, including comprehensive details of the relevant genetic and biological principles involved in the development strategies and production of new varieties. The book also covers the subject of goldfish appreciation and the international significance of goldfish shows and show standards. The book concludes with an exciting forward look at the potential evolutionary future for the goldfish. This important and timely book brings together, for the first time, a wealth of scientific information, presented in a clear and understandable manner by Dr Joseph Smartt, who has many years' experience working in fish genetics and breeding. The book is a must-have purchase for all serious goldfish breeders, hobbyists and dealers, fish biologists and geneticists, aquarium keepers and aquaculture personnel. The author, Joseph Smartt is a Senior Visiting Research Fellow at the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, UK.

The global demand for high quality fruits that are rich in nutrients and that can endure the demands of worldwide supply chains is growing rapidly. Fruits are an important component of the human diet, providing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. All of these qualities contribute to the nutritional needs and health maintenance of humans. Breeding for Fruit Quality reviews the application of modern plant breeding methods to the development of improved varieties of fruits. Breeding for Fruit Quality opens with chapters that look at fruit biology and breeding strategies behind specific traits, including a look at traits such as organoleptic quality, nutritional value, and improved yield, among others. Subsequent chapters review breeding efforts to improve overall quality in a wide range of specific fruits. Providing broad ranging coverage of cutting edge methods now being applied to the development of fruit crops, Breeding for Fruit Quality will be a valuable resource for fruit biologists, breeders, geneticists, and industry personnel. Key Features: Broad coverage of modern breeding technologies being implemented to improve overall fruit quality Trait specific chapters explore efforts to promote traits of industrial and nutritional importance Chapters in fruits, ranging from apple and grapes to tomatoes and olives, provide detailed coverage of breeding practices for economically important fruit crops

The impetus for this book arose out of my previous book, The Evolution of Life Histories (Roff, 1992). In that book I presented a single chapter on quanti tative genetic theory. However, as the book was concerned with the evolution of life histories and traits connected to this, the presence of quantitative genetic variation was an underlying theme throughout. Much of the focus was placed on optimality theory, for it is this approach that has proven to be extremely successful in the analysis of life history variation. But quantitative genetics cannot be ig nored, because there are some questions for which optimality approaches are inappropriate; for example, although optimality modeling can address the ques tion of the maintenance of phenotypic variation, it cannot say anything about genetic variation, on which further evolution clearly depends. The present book is, thus, a natural extension of the first. I have approached the problem not from the point of view of an animal or plant breeder but from that of one interested in understanding the evolution of quantitative traits in wild populations. The subject is large with a considerable body of theory: I generally present the assumptions underlying the analysis and the results, giving the relevant references for those interested in the intervening mathematics. My interest is in what quantitative genetics tells me about evolutionary processes; therefore, I have concentrated on areas of research most relevant to field studies.

Biosocial Surveys analyzes the latest research on the increasing number of multipurpose household surveys that collect biological data along with the more familiar interviewerâ€"respondent information. This book serves as a follow-up to the 2003 volume, Cells and Surveys: Should Biological Measures Be Included in Social Science Research? and asks these questions: What have the social sciences, especially demography, learned from those efforts and the greater interdisciplinary communication that has resulted from them? Which biological or genetic information has proven most useful to researchers? How can better models be developed to help integrate biological and social science information in ways that can broaden scientific understanding? This volume contains a collection of 17 papers by distinguished experts in demography, biology, economics, epidemiology, and survey methodology. It is an invaluable sourcebook for social and behavioral science researchers who are working with biosocial data.