Synopses & Reviews
Now in full color, this biological anthropology text presents balanced coverage of the major components of the field: genetics and evolutionary theory, human biological variation, primate biology and behavior, and human evolution. The relationship between biology and culture is a major focus throughout the text, and the emphasis is on the human species within the primate order: discussions of mammals and nonhuman primates continually refer back to their potential relevance for understanding the human species. The text contains material often neglected in introductory texts, such as discussions of adaptation, human health and disease and demography, and human growth.
Synopsis
This general introduction to contemporary physical anthropology presents balanced coverage of the major components of the field: genetics and evolutionary theory, human variation, human evolution, and the biology, behavior, and evolution of primates.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 483-495) and index.
About the Author
John H. Relethford is currently SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor and Chair in the Department of Anthropology at the State University of New York College at Oneonta. His research and teaching interests are in human population genetics, human variation, and the origin of modern humans. He was born in Bayshore, New York and grew up in Bellport, New York. He received his BA, MA, and Ph.D. degrees in anthropology from the State University of New York at Albany. He spent a year as a post-doctoral research scientist at the Department of Genetics at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in San Antonio, Texas. He has taught at SUNY-Oneonta since 1981. He is the recipient of the Chancellors Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Table of Contents
Preface PART I: Evolutionary Background 1. Biological Anthropology and Evolution What is Anthropology? Special Topic: Biological Anthropologists at WorkScience and Evolution 2. Human Genetics Molecular Genetics Mendelian Genetics Mutations Special Topic: PCR and Ancient DNAGenetics and Behavior 3. Evolutionary Forces Population Genetics The Evolutionary Forces Special Topic: Tay-Sachs Disease: Genetic Drift or Natural Selection?4. The Origin and Evolution of Species The Birth and Death of Species Misconceptions about Evolution Special Topic: Science Fiction and OrthogenesisA Brief History of Life
PART II: Human Biological Variation 5. The Study of Human Variation Measuring Human Variation Race and Human Variation Global Patterns of Human Genetic VariationSpecial Topic: Genetics, Race, and IQ6. Genetics, History, and AncestryThe Genetic History of PopulationsSpecial Topic: Kennewick ManThe Genetic History of IndividualsGenetic Ancestry and Cultural Identity7. Natural Selection in Human Populations Natural Selection and DiseaseSpecial Topic: ABO Maternal-Fetal Incompatibility and Natural SelectionNatural Selection and Skin ColorNatural Selection and Culture Change8. Human Adaptation Types of Adaptation Climate and Human Adaptation Special Topic: Cranial PlasticityDid Boas Get it Right?High-Altitude Adaptation Nutritional Adaptation
PART III: Our Place in Nature 9. Primates in Nature Taxonomic Classification Characteristics of Mammals Primate Characteristics Special Topic: What Will Happen to the Primates?Models of Primate Behavior 10. The Biology and Behavior of the Living Primates Primate Suborders The Monkeys The Hominoids The Living Apes Special Topic: Social Structure and Testes Size in Primates11. The Human Species Characteristics of Living Humans The Human Life Cycle Special Topic: Should Infants Sleep with Their Parents? An Evolutionary ViewIs Human Behavior Unique? 12. Primate Origins and Evolution The Study of the Fossil Record Early Primate Evolution Evolution of the Miocene Hominoids Special Topic: The Giant Ape
PART IV: Human Evolution 13. Hominid Origins Overview of Human Evolution The First Hominids Evolutionary Trends Special Topic: The Piltdown Hoax14. The Origin and Evolution of the Genus Homo The Origin of the Genus HomoHomo erectus Archaic Humans Special Topic: Neandertals: Names and Images15. The Origin of Modern Humans Anatomically Modern Homo sapiens The Origin of Modern Humans Special Topic: The IcemanRecent Biological and Cultural Evolution in Homo sapiens 16. Human Biology and Culture Change The Biological Impact of Agriculture The Biological Impact of Civilization Recent Changes Special Topic: The Baby Boom Epilogue: The Future of Our Species
Appendix 1: Mathematical Population Genetics Appendix 2: Classification of Living Primates Appendix 3: Conversion Factors Appendix 4: Comparative Primate Skeletal Anatomy
GlossaryIndex