The Biology of Mutualism Ecology and Evolution [Paperback]

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.

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