Plant Molecular Systematics

Plant molecular systematics is a discipline that uses molecular data to unravel the evolutionary relationships among plant species. This book serves as an introduction to the core principles of plant molecular systematics, presenting the fundamentals in a concise and coherent way. It equips students with both foundational knowledge and insights from the latest research. The book details how molecular data can be leveraged to build phylogenetic trees, which depict evolutionary relationships among plant species. Structured into 18 chapters, the book explores various aspects of molecular systematics in an engaging and stimulating manner. Each chapter includes summaries and relevant illustrations to reinforce key concepts. To further support learning, the book features a glossary of essential scientific terms, suggested further reading, and a dedicated section on current challenges and future directions in the field. Key molecular techniques and their applications in plant systematics are comprehensively covered, including the following: Nucleic acids, genes, and genomes Molecular markers DNA isolation and amplification Next-generation sequencing Phylogenetic tree construction Molecular clocks DNA barcoding This book is intended for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students in plant sciences, especially those interested in plant taxonomy. It provides a comprehensive resource for anyone pursuing studies in plant molecular systematics.