Natural Enemies: The Population Biology of Predators, Parasites and Diseases / Edition 1

by Michael J. Crawley

Overview

This book is about disease and death. It is an ecologist's view of Darwin's vivid evocation of Nature, red in tooth and claw. An international team of authors examines broad patterns in the population biology of natural enemies, and addresses general questions about the role of natural enemies in the population dynamics and evolution of their prey. For instance, how do large natural enemies like wolves differ from small natural enemies like bacterial diseases in their effects on prey abundance? Is it better to chase after prey, or sit and wait for it to come to you? How should prey behave in order to minimize the risk of being eaten? The answers are all in this fascinating senior undergraduate/postgraduate text.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780632026982
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	11/03/1992
Pages:	592
Product dimensions:	3.94(w) x 9.84(h) x 0.59(d)

About the Author

Michael J. Crawley, FRS, is with the Department of Biological Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine. He is the author of three bestselling Wiley statistics titles and five life science books.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Background; Evolution of exploiter - victim relationships; Correlates of carnivory: approaches and answers; Population dynamics of natural enemies and their prey; Foraging theory;Part 2: Population biology of natural enemies; Large carnivores; Birds of prey; Insectivorous mammals; Marine mammals; Marine invertebrates; Predatory arthropods; Bloodsucking arthropods; Spiders as representative sit-and-wait predators; Macroparasites: worms and others; Macroparasites: viruses and bacteria;Part 3: Synthesis; Predator psychology and the evolution of prey coloration; Natural enemies and community dynamics; Biological control; The dynamics of predator-prey and resource-harvester systems; Prey defence and predator foraging; Overview; References; Index

Editorial Reviews

Begins with background on evolution, morphology, and population dynamics, and general themes in the biology of predator-prey interactions, followed by description of how different taxonomic groups affect and are affected by their prey. The final section examines conclusions on predator-prey co-evolution, on natural enemies within the community, and on humans as predators or as managers of natural enemies in biological pest control. Not for the squeamish--predator-prey interactions are not a pretty sight. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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