99.9% of vertebrate species reproduce sexually. This book describes the other 0.1%-the clonal reproducers. Asexual animals are inherently fascinating and also uniquely instructive about alternative reproductive modes. The author guides readers into the astonishing realm of sexual abstinence, from levels of DNA molecules and cells to whole animals and populations.

PREFACE; PART I. BACKGROUND: LIKE BEGETS LIKE; CLONALITY AT THE GENE LEVEL: DNA REPLICATION; CLONALITY AT THE GENOMIC LEVEL: MITOSIS; CLONALITY IN THE CELLULAR CYTOPLASM: MITOCHONDRIAL DNA; CLONALITY IN THE SEX CHROMOSOMES; CLONALITY ACROSS THE SOMATIC CELLS; SEX AT THE INTER-CHROMOSOMAL LEVEL: MEIOSIS, SYNGAMY, AND MENDELS LAWS; SEX AT THE INTRA-CHROMOSOMAL LEVEL: DNA RECOMBINATION VIA CROSSING OVER; RECOMBINATION VERSUS MUTATION AS SOURCES OF GENETIC VARIATION; THE PARADOX OF SEX; SEX AND DEATH; CELLULAR AUTONOMY AND IMMORTALITY; SYNOPSIS; SUMMARY OF PART I; PART II. UNISEXUAL CLONALITY IN NATURE; THE CAST OF PLAYERS; CELLULAR AND GENETIC MECHANISMS; EVOLUTION AND PHYLOGENY; COMPARATIVE ECOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY; THE CAST OF PLAYERS; CELLULAR AND GENETIC MECHANISMS; EVOLUTION AND PHYLOGENY; COMPARATIVE ECOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY; SUMMARY OF PART II; PART III. SEXUAL CLONALITY IN NATURE; THE CAST OF PLAYERS; GENETIC AND EMBRYOLOGICAL MECHANISMS; ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION; THE CAST OF PLAYERS; GENETIC AND REPRODUCTIVE MECHANISMS; EVOLUTION AND ECOLOGY; SUMMARY OF PART III; PART IV. CLONALITY IN THE LABORATORY; GENE CLONING; WHOLE-INDIVIDUAL CLONING BY QUASI-NATURAL MECHANISMS; WHOLE-INDIVIDUAL CLONING BY MECHANISMS UNKNOWN IN NATURE; SUMMARY OF PART IV; EPILOGUE; GLOSSARY

"The concepts in Clonality are vividly and entertainingly conveyed. [A] highly entertaining and thought-provoking book from a master of the field of evolutionary genetics."--Trends in Ecology and Evolution

Selling point: First comprehensive treatment of the full range of clonal phenomena in vertebrate animals Selling point: Gives an accessible account of clonality in the natural world, in contrast to the politically charged and mainstream issue of cloning in the laboratory Selling point: Filled with beautiful line illustrations of the species discussed

John C. Avise is a Distinguished Professor at the University of California at Irvine, and an elected member of both the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In twelve previous books and more than 280 scientific articles, he has helped to popularize as well as pioneer molecular genetic approaches in ecology, natural history, and evolution. He has received national and international awards for career-long contributions to ornithology, molecular ecology, biogeography, marine biology, and wildlife conservation. Books by the same author: Molecular Markers, Natural History, and Evolution Conservation Genetics: Case Histories from Nature, Coedited by J. L. Hamrick The Genetic Gods: Evolution and Belief in Human Affairs Phylogeography: The History and Formation of Species Captivating Life: A Naturalist in the Age of Genetics Genetics in the Wild The Hope, Hype, and Reality of Genetic Engineering Molecular Markers, Natural History, and Evolution Evolutionary Pathways in Nature: A Phylogenetic Approach A Field Guide to Little Known Genetically Engineered Organisms (Including Revisionary Interpretations About Their Impact on World History) On Evolution In the Light of Evolution, Volume I. Adaptation and Complex Design, Coedited with F. J. Ayala

Selling point: First comprehensive treatment of the full range of clonal phenomena in vertebrate animals Selling point: Gives an accessible account of clonality in the natural world, in contrast to the politically charged and mainstream issue of cloning in the laboratory Selling point: Filled with beautiful line illustrations of the species discussed