Symbiotic Interactions (Oxford Science Publications) - Softcover

Douglas, Angela E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198542941 ISBN 13: 9780198542940

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA, 1994

Synopsis

Symbiotic interactions are those relationships between organisms that permit some species to overcome their physiological limitations by exploiting the capacities of others. This volume presents a modern synthesis of scientific knowledge of symbiosis, from the molecular mechanisms underlying its function to the ecological and evolutionary impact of such associations. With an emphasis on basic principles, the book takes the novel approach that symbiosis is a vehicle by which many organisms have gained access to complex metabolic capabilities. Examples are offered to illustrate this concept, including photosynthetic algae in corals, nitrogen-fixing bacteria in plant roots, and cellulose-degrading micro-organisms in herbivorous mammals. The traditional view of symbioses as mutually beneficial relationships is explicitly abandoned. The book draws together the wide-ranging literature on the topic, providing an integrated introduction that is accessible to undergraduates. The work serves as an excellent text for courses in symbiosis, and as a supplementary resource for students in ecology, evolutionary biology, and parasitology. As an up-to-date review of the field, the book will also be valued by graduate students and researchers.

About this title

Review

'It will stimulate both aspiring and established biologists.'David L. Hawksworth, Nature, Vol. 371. October 1994

'Angela Douglas has taken a much needed approach to the subject by considering the important, intriguing and relevant aspects of symbiosis as separate subjects ... a well written and informative book. It is clearly presented with informative figures and some high quality electron and light micrographs. As a teacher of undergraduates in the field of symbiosis, I will include this book as essential course reading. In addition, Angela Douglas has achieved her aim of providing an integrated text on symbiosis which will also be of interest to postgraduate students and other researchers of this subject.'I.R. Sanders, New Phytol, Volume 127, 1994

'This book is most timely. It will stimulate both aspiring and established biologists.'David L. Hawksworth, Nature, Vol. 371, October 1994

It is refreshing ... a thought-provoking book which should appeal to a wide audience ... well referenced ... well illustrated, with clear diagrams and fascinating scanning electron micrographs. This book is strongly recommended for anyone needing an overview of the subject. Patricia E.J. Wiltshire, Biologist (1995) 42 (2)

The book covers a wide range of symbioses ... It looks at many different aspects ... I found it readable and ... accurate. The breadth helped to make it interesting ... It must be the sign of a good book that it leaves the reader intrigued and wanting to find out more. (Christopher Howe, University of Cambridge, TREE vol. 9, no. 12, December 1994)

Synopsis

No organism exists in isolation. Symbiosis describes some of the most intimate interactions that occur between organisms; those in which some species can overcome their own physiological limitations by exploiting the capacities of others. Symbiotic Interactions is a modern synthesis of our knowledge of symbiosis, from the molecular mechanisms underlying the establishment and function of symbioses to the ecological and evolutionary impact of such associations. The book takes the novel approach that symbiosis is a vehicle by which many organisms have gained access to complex metabolic capabilities, and this is illustrated by a variety of associations, including photosynthetic algae in corals, nitrogen-fixing bacteria in plant roots and cellulose-degrading microorganisms in herbivorous mammals. The traditional view of symbioses as mutually-beneficial associations is explicitly abandoned. This book brings together the scattered literature on symbiosis, providing an integrated introduction for undergraduate courses and up-to-date review for postgraduate students.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198542941
• ISBN 13: 9780198542940
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160