Cryptic Species : morphological stasis, circumscription, and hidden diversity.
Resource type
Book
Date published
September 2022
Abstract
Cryptic species are organisms which look identical, but which represent distinct evolutionary lineages. They are an emerging trend in organismal biology across all groups, from flatworms, insects, amphibians, primates, to vascular plants. This book critically evaluates the phenomenon of cryptic species and demonstrates how they can play a valuable role in improving our understanding of evolution, in particular of morphological stasis. It also explores how the recognition of cryptic species is intrinsically linked to the so-called 'species problem', the lack of a unifying species concept in biology, and suggests alternative approaches. Bringing together a range of perspectives from practicing taxonomists, the book presents case studies of cryptic species across a range of animal and plant groups. It will be an invaluable text for all biologists interested in species and their delimitation, definition, and purpose, including undergraduate and graduate students and researchers.
Creator (organisation)
Cambridge University Press
Project(s)
Priority 4: Accelerated Taxonomy
Volume
89
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Place of publication
Cambridge, UK
Official URL
Rights statement
In Copyright