Alien Species and Evolution
The Evolutionary Ecology of Exotic Plants, Animals, Microbes, and Interacting Native Species
In Alien Species and Evolution, biologist George W. Cox reviews and synthesizes emerging information on the evolutionary changes that occur in plants, animals, and microbial organisms when they colonize new geographical areas, and on the evolutionary responses of the native species with which alien species interact.
The book is broad in scope, exploring information across a wide variety of taxonomic groups, trophic levels, and geographic areas. It examines theoretical topics related to rapid evolutionary change and supports the emerging concept that species introduced to new physical and biotic environments are particularly prone to rapid evolution. The author draws on examples from all parts of the world and all major ecosystem types, and the variety of examples used gives considerable insight into the patterns of evolution that are likely to result from the massive introduction of species to new geographic regions that is currently occurring around the globe.
Alien Species and Evolution is the only state-of-the-art review and synthesis available of this critically important topic, and is an essential work for anyone concerned with the new science of invasion biology or the threats posed by invasive species.
Preface
Part I. Basic Concepts of Alien Invasion and Evolution
1. Alien Species and Accelerated Evolution
2. Adaptation of Alien Species for Dispersal and Establishment
3. Founder Effects and Exotic Variability
4. Introduction Sources, Cryptic Species, and Invasion Routes
Part II. Processes of Evolutionary Change and Adaptation
5. Hybridization and Evolution of Exotics
6. Hybridization and Transgenic Organisms
7. Invasion Resistance of Native Communities
8. Adaptation of Alien Species to New Habitats
Part III. Evolutionary Interaction of Aliens and Natives
9. Evolutionary Adaptation by Alien Herbivores
10. Evolutionary Adaptation by Alien Predators and Parasites
11. Adaptation of Alien Diseases to Hosts and Vectors
12. Adaptation of Plants to Alien Herbivores and Diseases
13. Adaptation of Native Herbivores to Alien Plants
14. Adaptation of Animals to Alien Predators, Parasites, and Disease Agents
15. Accumulation of Herbivores, Predators, and Parasites by Alien Species
Part IV. Global Evolutionary Consequences of Alien Invasions
16. Alien Species as Agents of Extirpation and Extinction
17. Evolutionary Ecology of Alien Biological Control Agents
18. Counteradaptation and Integration into the Biotic Community
19. Dispersing Aliens and Speciation
20. Permanently Altered Biotic Communities
Literature Cited
Glossary
Index
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