Biological Systematics

Understanding the history and philosophy of biological systematics (phylogenetics, taxonomy and classification of living things) is key to successful practice of the discipline.

In this thoroughly revised Third Edition of the classic Biological Systematics, Andrew V. Z. Brower and Randall T. Schuh provide an updated account of cladistic principles and techniques, emphasizing their empirical and epistemological clarity. Brower and Schuh cover:

-the history and philosophy of systematics
-the mechanics and methods of character analysis, phylogenetic inference, and evaluation of results
-the practical application of systematic results to:
-biological classification
-adaptation and coevolution
-biodiversity, and conservation
-new chapters on species and molecular clocks

Biological Systematics is both a textbook for students studying systematic biology and a desk reference for practicing systematists. Part explication of concepts and methods, part exploration of the underlying epistemology of systematics, This third edition addresses why some methods are more empirically sound than others.

Andrew V. Z. Brower is an Assistant Director of the National Identification Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service with the United States Department of Agriculture. He is also a Research Associate with the American Museum of Natural History, New York, and the National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC.

Randall T. Schuh is George T. Willett Curator Emeritus of Entomology and Professor Emeritus at the American Museum of Natural History, New York. He is also affiliated, in emeritus status, with Cornell University and City University of New York.

This is an excellent book. Written by a practicing systematist with a keen interest in the theoretical development of systematics, it has a blend of theory and empiricism that results in a very authoritative treatment. In total, I thoroughly recommend this book. It demands to be read as much for its readability as its content.

This lovely book is a godsend to those of us who teach systematics. I believe that Biological Systematics is the best textbook currently available for courses focusing on the theory and practice of cladistics.