Evolution on Islands: Originating from Contributions to a Discussion Meeting of the Royal Society of London (Linguistics; 11) - Softcover

Grant, Peter R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198501714 ISBN 13: 9780198501718

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 1997

Synopsis

The study of patterns and processes of evolution on islands has played an important role in the development of general theories of how and why evolution occurs. Small, discrete pieces of the environment, islands are frequently isolated from the continental processes of gene flow. They are often inhabited by unique species, like the Komodo dragon, dodos, or daisies as tall as trees. They may display remarkable rapidity of diversifying evolution - nearly 1000 species of fruit-fly were formed in the Hawaiian archipelago in only a few million years. Thus, it is easy to see why islands have been referred to as 'natural experiments'. Such studies are continuing to yield exciting new fields for investigation as theoreticians attack questions of genetic change in island models and empirical biologists seek explanations of adaptive radiations in archipelagos. This unique book surveys our current knowledge and understanding of island evolution in eighteen chapters written by experts on various aspects of microevolution, speciation, and adaptive radiation. They cover the major trends and processes displayed by plants and animals, on tropical and temperate zone islands, and in lakes and tropical forest refugia. The book closes with a discussion of several unresolved issues that deserve further study. No other book has been published that focuses solely on the evolutionary processes that occur in islands. This will be of interest to all students and researchers in the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology.

About this title

Review

This volume contains thirteen chapters based on a Royal Society discussion meeting (1995) but revised and updated with new introductory chapters by the editor to each of the three main sections of the book. They cover patterns on islands and microevolution; speciation; and radiations, communities and biogeography. A new contribution on adaptive plant evolution is also included. (ASLIB 63.9,00/09/1998)

I would certainly add Evolution on Islands to the essential reading list...: indeed it focused my mind more clearly on both the potential and the pitfalls. (Jeremy Holloway, Heredity, 81, 120124.)

The contributed chapters are almost all excellent, and the book is well worth reading, particularly for those interested in speciation.J Coyne, Evolution, 52(6) P1877, 1998

Edition details

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198501714
• ISBN 13: 9780198501718
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352