Symbiotic Interactions / Edition 1

by A. E. Douglas

Overview

Symbiotic interactions are those relationships between organisms that permit some species to overcome their physiological limitations by exploiting the capacities of others. This volume presents a modern synthesis of scientific knowledge of symbiosis, from the molecular mechanisms underlying its function to the ecological and evolutionary impact of such associations. With an emphasis on basic principles, the book takes the novel approach that symbiosis is a vehicle by which many organisms have gained access to complex metabolic capabilities. Examples are offered to illustrate this concept, including photosynthetic algae in corals, nitrogen-fixing bacteria in plant roots, and cellulose-degrading micro-organisms in herbivorous mammals. The traditional view of symbioses as mutually beneficial relationships is explicitly abandoned. The book draws together the wide-ranging literature on the topic, providing an integrated introduction that is accessible to undergraduates. The work serves as an excellent text for courses in symbiosis, and as a supplementary resource for students in ecology, evolutionary biology, and parasitology. As an up-to-date review of the field, the book will also be valued by graduate students and researchers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198542940
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	03/03/1994
Series:	Oxford Science Publications
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	156
Product dimensions:	9.21(w) x 6.14(h) x 0.34(d)

About the Author

University of York

Table of Contents

1. An Introduction to Symbiosis2. Symbiosis as a Source of Novel Metabolic Capabilities3. Novel Structures in Symbiosis4. Nutritional Interactions in Symbiosis5. How Symbioses are Formed6. Regulation of Microbial Symbionts7. The Ecological Impact of Symbiosis8. Symbiosis and the Eukaryotic CellIndex

Editorial Reviews

"This book is most timely. . .It will stimulate both aspiring and established biologists." —Nature

"This book has been nicely produced. It is exceptionally easy to read; technical jargon is kept to a minimum and the writing style is simple and clear, as well as up to date. Readers will particularly appreciate the abundant diagrams, summary tables, and photographs (which are uniformly crisp and well labeled)." —Ecology

". . .best suited as a supplemental text for courses such as microbiology, symbiosis and coevolution, and plant and animal physiology. Students are likely to appreciate the book's brevity and clarity." —Bioscience

". . .An excellent job of covering some familiar themes, such as algae in corals, ruminant microorganisms, luminescent bacteria of marine fishes, lichens, mycorrhizal associations, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. A well written book with fine line illustrations, line drawings, and graphs. Highly recommended." —Choice

From the Publisher