Symbiosis


Book Description

Symbiosis, Volume II: Associations of Invertebrates, Birds, Ruminants, and Other Biota focuses on associations involving insects, birds, and terrestrial vertebrates, as well as ectosymbiosis and endosymbiosis. The selection first offers information on insects and their endosymbionts and insect ectosymbiosis. Discussions focus on distribution of endosymbioses in insects; behavior of symbionts during embryogeny; physiological problems of insect symbioses; and miscellaneous insect symbioses. The manuscript also elaborates on ectosymbiosis in wood-inhabiting insects and aquatic insects. The book takes a look at avian symbiosis and intestinal microorganisms of ruminants and other vertebrates, as well as areas in which symbiosis affects birds and biochemical processes in the lower part of the alimentary tract of ruminants and in nonruminants. The selection is a dependable reference for readers interested in the relationships of insects, birds, and terrestrial vertebrates.













Population Biology


Book Description

This volume contains the Proceedings of the International Conference in Population Biology held at The University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada from June 22 to June 30, 1982. The Conference was sponsored by The University of Alberta and The Canadian Applied Mathematics Society, and overlapped with the summer meeting of CAMS. The main objectives of this Conference were: to bring mathematicians and biologists together so that they may interact for their mutual benefit; to bring those researchers interested in modelling in ecology and those interested in modelling in genetics together; to bring in keynote speakers in the delineated areas; to have sessions of contributed papers; and to present the opportunity for researchers to conduct workshops. With the exception of the last one, the objec tives were carried out. In order to lend some focus to the Conference, the following themes were adopted: models of species growth, predator-prey, competition, mutualism, food webs, dispersion, age structure, stability, evolution of ecological parameters, evolution of behaviour, life history strategies, group and social selection, and evolution of genetic systems. There were speakers (invited and/or contributed papers) in each of these areas. Talks were given on Tuesday, June 22 to Friday, June 25 and on Monday, June 28 to Wednesday, June 30. On each day there were several talks by the principal speakers as well as contributed sessions. Altogether, there were ninety one papers given, of which twelve were by the principal speakers. There were one hundred and twenty-three registered participants from twelve different countries.




Novel aspects of the biology of Chrysomelidae


Book Description

Chrysomelidae, along with Curculionidae and Bruchidae, are the most important phytophagous Coleoptera. At least 37,000 species of leaf beetles belonging to 19 subfamilies have now been described, and more probably remain to be discovered, especially in the tropics. Many species are familiar agricultural pests. The Colorado potato beetle, the cereal beetle, flea beetle and the corn root worms are but a few of the well known pests. Because of the economic importance and biological diversity, chrysomelids are an important taxonomic group for scientific inquiry. This book is divided into eight parts, entitled palaeontology, larvae and larval biology, trophic selection, genetics and evolution defence mechanisms, anatomy and reproduction, pathogens and natural enemies, and general studies in biology. The biologies of agricultural and forestry pests, Leptinotarsa, Plagiodera, Entomoscelis, Paropsis, Mecistomela and Aspidomorpha are dealt with in detail. Others, such as Timarcha and those in the poorly known Megalopodinae, are covered in Part VIII. In this volume the American, European, Asian and Australian fauna occupy the greatest part. This volume, together with Biology of Chrysomelidae (1988), provides a comprehensive coverage and helps to complete the picture of chrysomelid biology.




Insect Biodiversity


Book Description

Insect Biodiversity: Science and Society brings togetherleading scientific experts to assess the impact insects have onhumankind and the earth’s fragile ecosystems. It examines whyinsect biodiversity matters and how the rapid evolution of insectspecies is affecting us all. Insects and related arthropods make up more than 50 percent ofthe known animal diversity globally, yet a lack of knowledge aboutinsects is hindering the advance of science and society. This bookexplores the wide variety in type and number of insect species andtheir evolutionary relationships. Case studies offer assessments onhow insect biodiversity can help meet the needs of a rapidlyexpanding human population, and also examine the consequences thatan increased loss of insect species will have on the world. The book concludes that a better understanding of the biologyand ecology of insects is the only way to sustainably manageecosystems in an ever changing global environment.




Introduction to Forest and Shade Tree Insects


Book Description

This comprehenisive text approaches the subject from an ecological/evolutionary biological perspective. The assumption is that one cannot study forest insects without understanding the dynamics of the relationship between an insect and its host plant. This relationship includes knowing what factors control forest insect populations such as food, food quality, tree vigor, host selection, and symbiotic relationships. The authors also discuss tree-injuring insects from the perspective of their influence on tree physiology and growth as well as economic and commercial effects. The book represents a "modern" approach to the topic of forest and shade tree insects; is well-illustrated; and includes a comprehensive primary reference list.




Microbial Mediation of Plant-Herbivore Interactions


Book Description

Novel Aspects of Insect-Plant Interactions Edited by Pedro Barbosa and Deborah K. Letourneau Focusing on three trophic levels, this study widens the current understanding of the ecological interactions between plants, herbivores, and their parasitoids and predators. Emphasized are the mediating effects of plant-derived allelochemicals on those interactions. The book also covers microorganisms as mediators of intertrophic and intratrophic interactions; theory and mechanisms: plant effects via allelochemicals on the third trophic level; and key roles of plant allelochemicals in survival strategies of herbivores. 1988 (0 471-83276-6) 362 pp. Plant-Animal Interactions Evolutionary Ecology in Tropical and Temperate Regions Edited by Peter W. Price, Thomas M. Lewinsohn, G. Wilson Fernandes and Woodruff W. Benson An outgrowth of an international symposium on Evolutionary Ecology of Tropical Herbivores held at UNICAMP, Brazil, this unique collaborative effort from leading scientists worldwide is the first comparative analysis of the existing ecological systems of temperate and tropical regions. In-depth and timely, the book's manifold analyses includes a discussion of tropical and temperate comparisons; mutualistic relationships between plants and animals; antagonistic relationships between plants and animals; plant-butterfly interactions; specificity in plant utilization; and community patterns in natural and agricultural systems. Amply illustrated with 150 detailed graphics, the book provides a fascinating visual tour of the flora and fauna described. 1991 (0 471-50937-X) 639 pp. Integrated Pest Management Systems and Cotton Production Edited by Raymond E. Frisbie, Kamal M. El-Zik and L. Ted Wilson This work sheds light on the link between the thriving U.S. cotton crop and integrated pest management. It offers a unique theoretical and conceptual framework for studying the cotton-IPM system. Other relevant issues such as the development and use of pest models, quantitative sampling principles in cotton IPM, economic injury levels and thresholds for cotton pests, and strategies and tactics for managing weeds, plant pathogens, nematodes, and insects are also described. Covering every facet of IPM technology, this is a significant contribution to the literature of pest management. 1989 (0 471-81782-1) 437 pp.




Insect-Fungus Interactions


Book Description

The first and only book to summarize this fascinating topic. This symposium volume reviews the current state of knowledge in four principal areas: mycophagy, mutualism, insect spread of plant fungal disease, and insect mycopathology.