A Primer of Conservation Genetics. Richard Frankham, Jonathon Ballou and David Briscoe., A Review by Andrea C Taylor.

Abstract

MAMMALOGISTS who set out to acquaint themselves with a general understanding of the significance of genetics in conservation biology via Frankham, Ballou and Briscoe’s 2002 offering, Introduction to Conservation Genetics, may be forgiven a little reticence in tackling its successor, A Primer of Conservation Genetics. The first book was originally touted as providing an ‘accessible introduction’ to the field. However the substantial size of Introduction to Conservation Genetics - partly due to repetition of concepts among chapters intended to provide the basis for undergraduate lectures - may be sufficient to deter all but the keenest professional student. For readers whose ‘study’ time is concentrated into office coffee breaks, train commutes or bed-time reading A Primer of Conservation Genetics is an infinitely better choice (as it is for less-specialist undergraduate courses). Professional wildlife managers these days are expected or even legally compelled to incorporate genetic issues into management programs and/or avail themselves of multi-disciplinary sources of information including that provided by ‘molecular ecologists’. However the conservation genetics revolution has occurred sufficiently recently that it is only just beginning to infiltrate University teaching. Fortunately the false dichotomy between genetics and whole organism biology is breaking down, and the former is now recognised as providing valuable tools that undergraduate students are keen to master as part of a holistic education in biology. Nonetheless most practising wildlife managers have probably received little formal genetics training any relevance. A Primer of Conservation Genetics is ideal for absolute beginners as well as those seeking to consolidate knowledge. The authors bring to the book the wealth of their own experience in laboratory experimentation, hands-on genetic management and empirical data collection.