PLANT SYSTEMATICS: A PHYLOGENETIC APPROACH. 4TH EDITION

1:The Science of Plant Systematics
2:Methods and Principles of Biological Systematics
3:Classification and System in Flowering Plants: Historical Background
4:Taxonomic Evidence: Structural and Biochemical Characters
5:The Evolution of Plant Diversity
6:An Overview of Green Plant Phylogeny
7:Lycophytes, Ferns, and Gymnosperms
8:Phylogenetic Relationships of Angiosperms

A comprehensive introduction to vascular plant phylogeny, the fourth edition of Plant Systematics reflects changes in the circumscription of several families in order to represent monophyletic groups, following the classification of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (and recent phylogenetic analyses). Appendices cover botanical nomenclature as well as field and herbarium methodology.

The text is copiously illustrated, using in large part the informative analytical drawings developed as part of the Generic Flora of the Southeastern United States project.

Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, Fourth Edition, is appropriate for any course devoted to the systematics of angiosperms or vascular plants and, secondarily, for local flora courses. The text assumes no prerequisites other than introductory botany or biology.

• The authors follow a phylogenetic approach throughout (as opposed to a phenetic or evolutionary taxonomic/eclectic approach).
• The text is copiously illustrated, using in large part the informative analytical drawings developed as part of the Generic Flora of the Southeastern United States project.

New to this Edition:
• Chapter 2, Methods and Principles of Biological Systematics, has been completely rewritten with information on molecular (DNA-based) systematics now fully integrateda change required by the increasing importance of molecular methods in the construction of phylogenetic hypotheses.
• Sections on speciation and species concepts have been rewritten to incorporate extensive recent research on these topics.
• Extensive revisions to 13 families that have undergone significant changes in circumscription have been implemented, and several familial clades are for the first time included in the book.
• Higher-level phylogenetic relationships have been updated on the basis of recently published analyses, and these relationships are reflected in the authors use of names.
• Updates to all chapters and to nearly all cladograms take into account recent taxonomic methods and hypotheses. In addition, several new cladograms and figures have been added.
• A greatly expanded online Photo Gallery of Vascular Plants includes over 9,700 photographs illustrating the diagnostic characters and morphological diversity of each of the familial clades covered in the textbook. The photos also include taxa of both temperate and tropical distribution, economically important species, and examples of important anatomical characteristics.