The Evolutionary Ecology of AntPlant Mutualisms [Paperback]

This important work explores the natural history, experimental approach, and integration of evolutionary and ecological literature of antplant mutualisms.Reviews the natural history of ant-plant interactions, discusses the scientific evidence for the mutualistic nature of these relationships, and reaches significant conclusions about the ecological and evolutionary processes that mold them. Will appeal to a wide variety of scientists because of its integration of natural history with contemporary evolutionary and ecological literature.Reviews the natural history of ant-plant interactions, discusses the scientific evidence for the mutualistic nature of these relationships, and reaches significant conclusions about the ecological and evolutionary processes that mold them. Will appeal to a wide variety of scientists because of its integration of natural history with contemporary evolutionary and ecological literature.Mutualistic interactions between ants and plants involve rewards offered by plants and services performed by ants in a mutually advantageous relationship. The rewards are principally food and/or nest sites, and ants in turn perform a number of services for plants: they disperse and plant seeds; they protect foliage, buds, and reproductive structures from enemies such as herbivores and seed predators; they fertilize plants with essential nutrients; and they may sometimes function as pollinators. In this book, initially published in 1985, Professor Beattie reviews the fascinating natural history of antplant interactions, discusses the scientific evidence for the mutualistic nature of these relationships, and reaches some conclusions about the ecological and evolutionary processes that mold them. This important work explores the natural history, experimental approach, and integration with contemporary evolutionary and ecological literature of the time will appeal to a wide variety of biologists.Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Origins and early evolution of antl³!