內容簡介

This new and thoroughly updated edition further consolidates the information on the principles of plant systematics, and includes descriptions of all major systems of classification, and significantly, also include discussion on the selected families of flowering plants, without sacrificing the discussion on basic principles. The description of families was deliberately left out in the earlier edition. The families included for discussion are largely those which have wide representation, as also those that are less known but significant in evaluating the phylogeny of angiosperms. The discussion of the families also has a considerable focus on their phylogenetic relationships, as evidenced by recent cladistic studies, with liberal citation of molecular data. The book strikes a balance between classical fundamental information and the recent developments in plant systematics. Special attention has been devoted to the information on botanical nomenclature, identification and phylogeny of angiosperms with numerous relevant examples and detailed explanation of the important nomenclatural problems. An attempt has been made to present a continuity between orthodox and contemporary identification methods by working on a common example. The methods of identification using computers have been further explored to help better online identification. The chapter on cladistic methods has been totally revised, and molecular systematics discussed in considerable detail.

序言

Taxonomy and Systematics; Basic Components of Systematics; Aims of Systematics; Advancement Levels in Systematics; Systematics in Internet Revolution; Historical Background of Plant Classification; Classifications based on Gross Morphology; Sexual System; Natural Systems; Phylogenetic Systems; Botanical Nomenclature; Need for Scientific Names; History of Botanical Nomenclature; Principles of ICBN; Names of Taxa; The Type Method; Author Citation; Publication of Names; Rejection of Names; Principle of Priority; Names of Hybrids; Names of Cultivated Plants; Unified Biological Nomenclature; Descriptive Terminology; Habit and Life Span; Roots; Stems; Leaves; Inflorescence; Flower; Fruit; Floral Formula; Floral Diagram; Process of Identification; Specimen Preparation; Herbarium Methods; Identification Methods; Hierarchical Classifications; Taxonomic groups, Categories and Ranks; Utilization of Categories; Variation and Speciation; Types of Variation; Variance Analysis; Isolating Mechanisms; Speciation; Taxonomic Evidence; Morphology; Anatomy; Embryology; Micromorphology and Ultrastructure; Chromosomes; Chemotaxonomy; Molecular Systematics; Phenetic Methods: Taxometrics; Principles of Taxometrics; Operational Taxonomic Units; Taxonomic Characters; Measurement of Resemblance; Cluster Analysis; Ordination; Application of Numerical Taxonomy in Angiosperms; Phylogenetic Methods: Cladistics; Important Phylogenetic Terms and Concepts; Cladistic Methodology; Developing Classifications; Phylogeny of Angiosperms; Origin of Angiosperms; Basal Living Angiosperms; Evolutionary Trends; Major Systems of Classification; Bentham and Hooker; Engler and Hutchinson; John Hutchinson; Armen Takhtajan; Arthur Cronquist; Rolf Dahlgren; Robert Thorne; Angiosperm Phylogeny Group; Major Families of Angiosperms; Subclass: Magnoliidae; Alismatidae; Liliidae; Commelinididae; Ranunculidae; Hamamelididae; Caryophyllidae; Rosidae; Asteridae; Lamiidae; Plant Geography; Historical Development; Aims and Scope; Physical Geography of Earth; Static or Descriptive Phytogeography; Dynamic or Interpretive Phytogeography

作者簡介

Gurcharan Singh is a practicing taxonomist with experience in the floristics and phytosociology of NW Himalayas and the general nomenclatural subject. He also has knowledge on the Floristics of SW United States, mainly California plants. Now retired, after nearly 40 years of experience in teaching taxonomy, ecology and environment at University of Delhi, India. He has published 42 research papers, including those on new species and nomenclatural changes. He has also authored 14 books. He is presently engaged in developing an online database that will help in online identification and providing guidance in various online forums.