Part of the "Oxford Series in Ecology and Evolution", this book explains how and when to use the comparative method and shows how this approach complements other approaches to problem-solving in evolution such as optimality theory, population genetic models, and experimentation. It provides a discussion of techniques and also worked examples.

The comparative method for studying adaptation; Why worry about phylogeny?; Reconstructing phylogenetic trees and ancestral character states; Comparative analysis of discrete data; Comparative analysis of continuous variables; Determining the form of comparative relationships; Conclusion; References

`Paul Harvey has been in the vanguard of the research that, in the past 10 years or so, has been introducing proper statistics into comparative biology. His new book with mark Pagel is an authoritative and remarkably up-to-date account of the many comparative methods which have recently been put into print. Times Higher Education Supplement 'Harvey and Pagel's compelling survey of the powerful analytical techniques currently available for the study of adaptation in a phylogenetic context provides the basis for new and deeper insights into the origin of and maintenance of organic diversity.' Science, Vol. 254, 1991 'Certainly, this is a seminal, welcome and utterly mandatory book for anyone interested (pro or con) in the comparative study of adaptation.' Trends in Ecology and Evolution Vol. 7, No. 2 'Was Darwin right? The authors of this earnest and useful book have long been involved in developing and testing methods to distinguish these effects. They have produced a book that will be essential reading for those faced with the problem. Lecturers will find it a gold mine of interesting examples. This in itself will make the book worthwhile for many ... the book is a major step in the comparative study of biological taxa. Evolutionists and statisticians can learn a lot from this book.' D. Penny, Massey University, Journal of Classification, Vol. 9, No. 1/92 'A book to be recommended for everyone interested in evolutionary biology.' V.P. Chopra, Anthropologischer Anzeiger, Jahrg. 51, Heft 4