Soay Sheep Dynamics and Selection in an Island Population [Paperback]

Synthesis of remarkable long-term and well-known study of the population dynamics of soay sheep on St Kilda.Advance praise for this book: ' A major, very important book in population biology, with first class contributors...a most valuable contribution to the ecology literature. I recommend it most highly.' Charles J. Krebs, University of British Columbia. 'A remarkable long-term study by a remarkable group of scientists... a pleasure to read... exemplifies how great advances in animal ecology can be achieved through the cooperation of researchers with different skills and interests.' Marco Festa-Bianchet, Université de SherbrookeAdvance praise for this book: ' A major, very important book in population biology, with first class contributors...a most valuable contribution to the ecology literature. I recommend it most highly.' Charles J. Krebs, University of British Columbia. 'A remarkable long-term study by a remarkable group of scientists... a pleasure to read... exemplifies how great advances in animal ecology can be achieved through the cooperation of researchers with different skills and interests.' Marco Festa-Bianchet, Université de SherbrookeUnlike most other large mammals, the Soay sheep population of Hirta in the St. Kilda archipelago show persistent oscillations, sometimes increasing or declining by more than 60% in a year. This study explores the causes of these oscillations and their consequences for selection on genetic and phenotypic variation within the population, drawing on studies over the past twenty years of the life-histories and reproductive careers of many sheep. It will be essential reading for vertebrate ecologists, demographers, evolutionary biologists and behavioral ecologists.1. Individuals and populations T. H. Clutton-Brock and J. M. Pemberton; 2. The sheep of St Kilda T. H. Clutton-Brock, J. M. Pemberton, T. N. Coulson, I.R. Stevenson and A. D. C. MacColl; 3. Population dynamics in Soay sheep T. H. Clutton-Brock, T. lƒN