Overview

The view of nature as `red in tooth and claw', as a jungle in which competition and predation are the predominant themes, has long been important in both the scientific and popular literature. However, in the past decade another view has become widespread among ecologists: the idea that mutualisms--mutually beneficial interactions between species--are just as important as competition and predation. This book is one of the first to explore this theme. Ideas and theories applicable to all sorts of mutualisms are presented and, where appropriate, examined in the light of concrete data. Themes explored include: the organisms involved, both animal and plant; how specializations evolved once mutualisms formed; how mutualisms affect population dynamics and community structure; and the role of mutualisms in different environments. The book will be of special interest to ecologists and a wide range of biologists.

Full Product Details

Author:   Douglas H. Boucher (former Professor of Biological Sciences, former Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Quebec)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press Inc
Imprint:   Oxford University Press Inc
Edition:   New edition
Dimensions:   Width: 13.50cm , Height: 1.90cm , Length: 20.30cm
Weight:   0.347kg
ISBN:  

9780195053920

ISBN 10:   0195053923
Pages:   400
Publication Date:   18 February 1988
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.

Table of Contents

List of Contributors Preface 1: Douglas H. Boucher: The Idea of Mutualism, Past and Future 2: D.H. Lewis: Symbiosis and Mutualism: Crips Concepts and Soggy Semantics 3: D.H. Janzen: The Natural History of Mutualism 4: Kathleen H. Keeler: Cost: Benefit Models of Mutualism 5: Alan R. Templeton and Lawrence E. Gilbert: Population Genetics and the Coevolution of Mutualism 6: Richard Law: Evolution in a Mutualistic Environment 7: Clayton B. Cook: Equilibrium Populations and Long-term Stability of Mutualistic Algae and Invertebrate Hosts 8: Jorge Soberon Mainero and Carlos Martinez del Rio: Cheating and taking Advantage in Mutualistic Associations 9: John Addicott: Competition in Mutualistic Systems 10: Carole L. Wolin: The Population Dynamics of Mutualistic Systems 11: Antony M. Dean: The Dynamics of Microbial Commensalisms and Mutualisms 12: W.M. Post: Mutualism, Limited Competition and Positive Feedback 13: John Vandermer et al: Indirect Facilitation and Mutualism 14: Patricia A. Lane: A Food Web Approach to Mutualism in Lake Communities 15: Douglas H. Boucher: Mutualism in Agriculture Index

Reviews

<br> Excellent...A useful technical contribution richly studded with biological data, historical references, and thoughtful theoretical insights. --Choice<br> After decades of neglect, mutualism finally is receiving the attention it deserves from ecologists and evolutionists. The Biology of Mutualism is the first edited volume in many years devoted to the subject....An interesting and balanced short history of mutualism. --The Quarterly Review of Biology<br> A very useful summary of what is known about mutualisms....required reading for everyone interested in species interactions. --Ecology<br> A useful book that illustrates the diversity of questions and approaches that are developing in the study of mutualism. --American Scientist<br>

Excellent...A useful technical contribution richly studded with biological data, historical references, and thoughtful theoretical insights. --Choice<br> After decades of neglect, mutualism finally is receiving the attention it deserves from ecologists and evolutionists. The Biology of Mutualism is the first edited volume in many years devoted to the subject....An interesting and balanced short history of mutualism. --The Quarterly Review of Biology<br> A very useful summary of what is known about mutualisms....required reading for everyone interested in species interactions. --Ecology<br> A useful book that illustrates the diversity of questions and approaches that are developing in the study of mutualism. --American Scientist<br>

Author Information

Douglas H. Boucher is a Professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Quebec.

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