In this valuable contribution to the rapidly advancing field of microbial population genetics which treats the patterns and mechanisms of genetic variation among individuals and populations of organisms, Xu (biology, McMaster U., Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) introduces milestones in the field since Darwin and its relevance to other areas of scientific investigation. In a dozen chapters covering broad groups of microorganisms, international scientists present core concepts and current thinking on theoretical issues related to the evolution and relationship of species, and sex and recombination. On the applied side, they discuss genetic tools (e.g., SNP surveys, comparative microbial genomics, and microarray hybridizations) for tracking the evolution of infectious pathogens and antibiotic resistance, and developing strategies for the utilization of beneficial microbes. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation 2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
