"Reconstructing phylogenetic trees from DNA sequences has become a popular exercise in many branches of biology, and here the award-winning geneticist John advise explains why. Molecular phylogenies provide a genealogical backdrop for interpreting the evolutionary histories of many other types of biological traits (anatomical, behavioral, ecological, physiological, biochemical, and even geographical). Guiding readers on a natural history tour along dozens of evolutionary pathways, the author describes how creatures ranging from microbes to elephants came to possess their current phenotypes."--BOOK JACKET.