Plant Taxonomy: A Historical Perspective, Current Challenges, and Perspectives -- Guidelines for the Choice of Sequences for Molecular Plant Taxonomy -- Isolation and Purification of DNA from Complicated Biological Samples -- Herbarium Specimens: A Treasure for DNA Extraction, an Update -- Sequencing of Complete Chloroplast Genomes -- Utility of the Mitochondrial Genome in Plant Taxonomic Studies -- Nuclear Ribosomal RNA Genes: ITS Region -- Plant DNA Barcoding Principles and Limits: A Case Study in the Genus Vanilla -- High-Throughput Genotyping Technologies in Plant Taxonomy -- Genotyping-by-Sequencing Technology in Plant Taxonomy and Phylogeny -- Development of Microsatellite Markers Using Next-Generation Sequencing -- Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism: Applications and Recent Developments -- Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Derived Techniques -- Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR), Microsatellite-Primed Genomic Profiling Using Universal Primers -- Retrotransposable Elements: DNA Fingerprinting and the Assessment of Genetic Diversity -- Introduction to Population Genomics Methods -- The Application of Flow Cytometry for Estimating Genome Size, Ploidy Level Endopolyploidy, and Reproductive Modes in Plants -- Molecular Cytogenetics (FISH and Fluorochrome Banding): Resolving Species Relationships and Genome Organization -- GISH: Resolving Interspecific and Intergeneric Hybrids.

This fully updated edition explores conceptual as well as technical guidelines for plant taxonomists and geneticists, such as the increasing use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies for numerous applications in plant taxonomy. The volume provides molecular approaches to be used within an "integrative taxonomy" framework, combining a range of nucleic acid and cytogenetic data together with other crucial information (taxonomy, morphology, anatomy, ecology, reproductive biology, biogeography, paleobotany, etc.), which will help not only to best circumvent species delimitation but also to resolve the evolutionary processes in play. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, Molecular Plant Taxonomy: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition is an ideal guide for researchers seeking a better understanding of evolutionary processes, at species and population level, through molecular techniques.