"This is a fascinating book, challenging a number of preconceptions and adding yet another mechanism for non-gradualist evolutionary processes. . . . it is absorbing and authoritative, with many novel thoughts for anyone interested in evolutionary processes."--The Biologist"An excellent addition to the Oxford Series in Ecology and Evolution. . .readers are almost assured of an opportunity to reconsider the latest published evidence in an engaging synthesis of this topic."--Plant Science Bulletin"Through a discussion of numerous intriguing studies, this book makes multifaceted case for the importance of hybridization. It also highlights the biases, misconceptions, and misinterpretations that might lead to an underestimate of the evolutionary importance of hybridization. . . .A convincing well-crafted testament to the importance of hybridization in evolution. The reader will be enlightened."--Science"Comprehensive. . .thoroughly documented and illustrated with case studies from many perspectives (including fossil, morphological, and molecular genetic) and taxonomic groups." --Choice"A book which will dispel many naive notions about hybridization and is a clear and interesting read."--Trends in Ecology & Evolution"Intelligent, rewarding, and important. . . .Mike Arnold presents the most extensive exposition on record for one side of an argument that has deep roots in evolutionary biology. This argument revolves around whether natural hybrids, and the variation releases by hybridization, have a future. . . .A worthy and often original addition to the literature on hybridization." --American Journal of Botany"Arnold has written a clearly structured and stimulating review of current research on hybrid zones--especially valuable for its summary of his work on the Louisiana Iris, which gives us probably the best study of natural selection on field hybrids....Natural Hybridization and Evolution is a substantial step in the right direction..."--Genetical Research"Arnold defines natural hybridization as a process in which successful matings occur in nature between individuals from two or more populations which are distinguishable on the basis of one or more heritable characters. Hybrids are the result . . . Hybrid zones are places where two or more populations of individuals that are distinguishable on the basis of one or more heritable characters overlap spatially and temporally, and cross to form viable and at least partially fertile offspring. Introgression is the movement of genes or alleles from one population or species into another. . . . Hybridization and introgression have been neglected in evolutionary biology since the 1940's. Arnold's book shows why we should not ignore these phenomena . . . The major hypothesis of Arnold's book is that natural hybridization can affect the evolutionary history of the groups in which it occurs . . . This book generates much thought and I recommend it highly."--Evolution
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