Comprising a substantial part of living biomass on earth, ants are integral to the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. More than 12,000 species have been described to date, and it is estimated that perhaps as many still await classification. Ant Ecology explores key ecological issues and new developments in myrmecology across a range of scales. The book begins with a global perspective on species diversity in time and space and explores interactions at the community level before describing the population ecology of these social insects. The final section covers the recent ecological phenomenon of invasive ants:how they move across the globe, invade, affect ecosystems, and are managed byhumans. Each chapter links ant ecology to broader ecological principles, provides a succinct summary, and discusses future research directions. Practical aspects of myrmecology, applications of ant ecology, debates, and novel discoveries are highlighted in text boxes throughout the volume. The book concludes with a synthesis of the current state of the field and a look at exciting future research directions. The extensive reference list and full glossary are invaluable for researchers, and those new to the field. INDICE: E.O. Wilson: Foreword Lori Lach, Catherine Parr & Kirsti Abbott: Preface PART 1 - GLOBAL ANT DIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION 1: Philip Ward: Taxonomy, Phylogenetics, and Evolution 2: Brian Fisher: Biogeography 3: Rob Dunn, Benoit Guénard, Michael Weiser & Nathan Sanders: Geographic Gradients 4: Leeanne Alonso: Ant Conservation: Current Status and Call to Action PART 2 - COMMUNITY DYNAMICS 5: Catherine Parr & Heloise Gibb: Competition and the Role of Dominant Ants 6: Joshua Ness, Kailen Mooney & Lori Lach: Ants as Mutualists 7: Nico Blüthgen & Heike Feldhaar: Food and Shelter: How Resources Influence Ant Ecology 8: Stacy Philpott, Ivette Perfecto, Inge Armbrecht & Catherine Parr: Ant Biodiversity and Function in Disturbed and Changing Habitats PART 3 - POPULATION ECOLOGY 9: Christian Peeters & Mathieu Molet: Colonial Reproduction and Life Histories 10: Florian M. Steiner, Ross H. Crozier & Birgit C. Schlick-Steiner: Colony Structure 11: Patrizia D'Ettorre & Alain Lenoir: Nestmate Recognition 12: Anna Dornhaus & Scott Powell: Foraging and Defence Strategies in Ants PART 4 - INVASIVE ANTS 13: Andrew Suarez, Terry McGlynn & Neil Tsutsui: Biogeographic and Taxonomic Patterns of Introduced Ants 14: Paul Krushelnycky, David Holway & Edward LeBrun: Invasion Processes and Causes of Success 15: Lori Lach & Linda Hooper-Bui: Consequences of Ant Invasions 16: Ben Hoffmann, Kirsti Abbott& Peter Davis: Invasive Ant Management 17: Lori Lach, Catherine Parr & KirstiAbbott: Synthesis and Perspectives Glossary References Index
- ISBN: 978-0-19-954463-9
- Editorial: Oxford University
- Encuadernacion: Cartoné
- Páginas: 424
- Fecha Publicación: 03/12/2009
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Inglés