Adaptive radiation is the evolution of diversity within a rapidly multiplying lineage. It can cause a single ancestral species to differentiate into an impressively vast array of species inhabiting a variety of environments. Much of life's diversity has arisen during adaptive radiations. Some of the most famous recent examples include the East African cichlid fishes, the Hawaiian silverswords, and of course, Darwin's Gal--aacute--;pagos finches,. This book evaluates the causes of adaptive radiation. It focuses on the 'ecological' theory of adaptive radiation, a body of ideas that began with Darwin and was developed through the early part of the 20th Century. This theory proposes that phenotypic divergence and speciation in adaptive radiation are caused ultimately by divergent natural selection arising from differences in environment and competition between species. In The Ecology of Adaptive Radiation the author re-evaluates the ecological theory, along with its most significant extensions and challenges, in the light of all the recent evidence. This important book is the first full exploration of the causes of adaptive radiation to be published for decades, written by one of the world's best young evolutionary biologists.

'...a scholarly work of great clarity and force of argument. It is essential reading for all students of evolution... a book that will take its place near the ones by Dobzhansky, Lack, Mayr and Simpson that inspired it.' Peter R. Grant, Quarterly Review of Biology '...in each decade, one book stands out in terms of its influence on the field of evolutionary biology... Although only one-year old, this decade might have already produced its member of this pantheon: Dolph Schluter' The Ecology of Adaptive Radiation ...it will lead to new avenues of research and new ways of thinking about adaptive radiation.' Jonathan B. Losos, Trends in Ecology and Evolution '...presents and impressively thorough evaluation of the empirical evidence that has accumulated since Simpson's snythesis...an absolute 'must read' for all graduate students in the fields of ecology and evolution and for anyone interested in evolutionary diversity. It will become a classic' Axel Meyer, Science '...should be read and regularly consulted by anybody interested in adaptive radiation, in natural selection, and in speciation' Konrad Bachmann, Plant Systematics and EvolutionMuch of life's diversity was generated by adaptive radiation - concentrated bursts of evolution during which new species rapidly formed, diverging from a common ancestor in ecology and phenotype. There are many living examples of this spectacular phenomenon - the most famous include the East African cichlid fishes, the Hawaiian silverswords, and of course, Darwin's Galápagos finches. This book evaluates the causes of adaptive radiation, focusing on the 'ecological' theory, a body of ideas that began with Darwin. The author re- evaluates the ecological theory, along with its most significant extensions and challenges, in the light of all the recent evidence. This important book is the first full exploration of the causes of adaptive radiation to be written for decades, by one of the world's leading young evolutionary biologists.

"In a book both beautifully illustrated and deeply informative, Jonathan Losos, a leader in evolutionary ecology, celebrates and analyzes the diversity of the natural world that the fascinating anoline lizards epitomize. Readers who are drawn to nature by its beauty or its intellectual challenges—or both—will find his book rewarding."—Douglas J. Futuyma, State University of New York, Stony Brook "This book is destined to become a classic. It is scholarly, informative, stimulating, and highly readable, and will inspire a generation of students."—Peter R. Grant, author of How and Why Species Multiply: The Radiation of Darwin's Finches "Anoline lizards experienced a spectacular adaptive radiation in the dynamic landscape of the Caribbean islands. The radiation has extended over a long period of time and has featured separate radiations on the larger islands. Losos, the leading active student of these lizards, presents an integrated and synthetic overview, summarizing the enormous and multidimensional research literature. This engaging book makes a wonderful example of an adaptive radiation accessible to all, and the lavish illustrations, especially the photographs, make the anoles come alive in one's mind."—David Wake, University of California, Berkeley "This magnificent book is a celebration and synthesis of one of the most eventful adaptive radiations known. With disarming prose and personal narrative Jonathan Losos shows how an obsession, beginning at age ten, became a methodology and a research plan that, together with studies by colleagues and predecessors, culminated in many of the principles we now regard as true about the origins and maintenance of biodiversity. This work combines rigorous analysis and glorious natural history in a unique volume that stands with books by the Grants on Darwin's finches among the most informed and engaging accounts ever written on the evolution of a group of organisms in nature."—Dolph Schluter, author of The Ecology of Adaptive Radiation

This volume surveys advances in the study of adaptive radiation showing how molecular characters can be used to analyze the origin and pattern of diversification within a lineage in a non-circular fashion.

Peering into every biological facet of the lives of these long-neglected mammals, the volume includes; introductory chapters explaining the paleontological and biogeographic context for opossum evolution; an overview of the extant fauna, which includes over 100 species in 18 genera ; a section devoted to opossum phenotypes: morphology, physiology, and behavior; detailed information on opossum natural history, including habitats, diets, predators, and parasites; in-depth and novel interpretations of opossums' adaptive radiation in a phylogenetic contextIntended for undergraduate biology majors, graduate students, and research professionals, this coherent and original portrait of opossums will be of particular interest to mammalogists, evolutionary biologists, and Neotropical field biologists as well as biomedical researchers working with Monodelphis domestica as a model organism.

"This volume captures the state-of-the-art in the study of insect-plant interactions, and marks the transformation of the field into evolutionary biology. The contributors present integrative reviews of uniformly high quality that will inform and inspire generations of academic and applied biologists. Their presentation together provides an invaluable synthesis of perspectives that is rare in any discipline."--Brian D. Farrell, Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University "Tilmon has assembled a truly wonderful and rich volume, with contributions from the lion's share of fine minds in evolution and ecology of herbivorous insects. The topics comprise a fascinating and deep coverage of what has been discovered in the prolific recent decades of research with insects on plants. Fascinating chapters provide deep analyses of some of the most interesting research on these interactions. From insect plant chemistry, behavior, and host shifting to phylogenetics, co-evolution, life-history evolution, and invasive plant-insect interaction, one is hard pressed to name a substantial topic not included. This volume will launch a hundred graduate seminars and find itself on the shelf of everyone who is anyone working in this rich landscape of disciplines."--Donald R. Strong, Professor of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis "Seldom have so many excellent authors been brought together to write so many good chapters on so many important topics in organismic evolutionary biology. Tom Wood, always unassuming and inspired by living nature, would have been amazed and pleased by this tribute."--Mary Jane West-Eberhard, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

This book covers bromeliad biology, rather than cultivation.