Marking the change in focus of tree genomics from single species to comparative approaches
this book covers biological genomic and evolutionary aspects of angiosperm trees that provide
information and perspectives to support researchers broadening the focus of their research. The
diversity of angiosperm trees in morphology anatomy physiology and biochemistry has been
described and cataloged by various scientific disciplines but the molecular genetic and
evolutionary mechanisms underlying this diversity have only recently been explored. Excitingly
advances in genomic and sequencing technologies are ushering a new era of research broadly
termed comparative genomics which simultaneously exploits and describes the evolutionary
origins and genetic regulation of traits of interest. Within tree genomics this research is
already underway as the number of complete genome sequences available for angiosperm trees is
increasing at an impressive pace and the number of species for which RNAseq data are available
is rapidly expanding. Because they are extensively covered by other literature and are rapidly
changing technical and computational approaches-such as the latest sequencing technologies-are
not a main focus of this book. Instead this comprehensive volume provides a valuable broader
view of tree genomics whose relevance will outlive the particulars of current-day technical
approaches. The first section of the book discusses background on the evolution and
diversification of angiosperm trees as well as offers description of the salient features and
diversity of the unique physiology and wood anatomy of angiosperm trees. The second section
explores the two most advanced model angiosperm tree species (poplars and eucalypts) as well as
species that are soon to emerge as new models. The third section describes the structural
features and evolutionary histories of angiosperm tree genomes followed by a fourth section
focusing on the genomics of traits of biological ecological and economic interest. In summary
this book is a timely and well-referenced foundational resource for the forest tree community
looking to embrace comparative approaches for the study of angiosperm trees.
