Dick Frankham is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Macquarie University, Sydney. Jon Ballou is Head of the Division of Behaviour, Ecology and Population Biology in the Department of Conservation Biology at the Smithsonian Institution's National Zoological Park. David Briscoe is Associate Professor at the Key Centre for Biodiversity and Bioresources, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney.

'A Primer of Conservation Genetics is ideal for absolute beginners as well as those seeking to consolidate knowledge. The authors bring to the book the wealth of their own experience in laboratory experimentation, hands-on genetic management and empirical data collection … So will A Primer of Conservation Genetics lead to greater advantage being taken of the opportunities offered by conservation genetics to aid in the preservation of our wondrous mammalian diversity? I believe its effective promotion of a greater understanding of genetic concepts is a major step in the right direction.' Australian Mammalogy Reviews

• Preface; Take home messages; 1. Introduction; 2. Genetic diversity; 3. Evolutionary genetics of natural populations; 4. Genetic consequences of small population size; 5. Genetics and extinction; 6. Resolving taxonomic uncertainties and defining management units; 7. Genetic management of endangered species in the wild; 8. Captive breeding and reintroduction; 9. Molecular genetics in forensics and understanding species biology; Final messages; Glossary; Sources and copyright acknowledgements; Index.