˜Theœ Coevolutionary Process

Traditional ecological approaches to species evolution have frequently studied too few species, relatively small areas, and relatively short time spans. In The Coevolutionary Process, John N. Thompson advances a new conceptual approach to the evolution of species interactions—the geographic mosaic theory of coevolution. Thompson demonstrates how an integrated study of life histories, genetics, and the geographic structure of populations yields a broader understanding of coevolution, or the development of reciprocal adaptations and specializations in interdependent species. Using examples of species interactions from an enormous range of taxa, Thompson examines how and when extreme specialization evolves in interdependent species and how geographic differences in specialization, adaptation, and the outcomes of interactions shape coevolution. Through the geographic mosaic theory, Thompson bridges the gap between the study of specialization and coevolution in local communities and the study of broader patterns seen in comparisons of the phylogenies of interacting species. Traditional Ecological Approaches To Species Evolution Have Frequently Dealt With Too Few Species, Relatively Small Areas, And Relatively Short Time Spans. In The Coevolutionary Process, John N. Thompson Advances A New Conceptual Approach To The Evolution Of Species Interactions - The Geographic Mosaic Theory Of Coevolution. Thompson Demonstrates How An Integrated Study Of Life Histories, Genetics, And The Geographic Structure Of Populations Yields A Surprisingly Broad Understanding Of Coevolution. Thompson Examines How And When Extreme Specialization Evolves In Interdependent Species And How Geographic Differences In Specialization, Adaptation, And The Outcomes Of Interactions Shape Coevolution. Through The Geographic Mosaic Theory, He Connects The Study Of Specialization And Coevolution In Local Communities And The Study Of Broader Patterns Seen In Comparisons Of The Phylogenies Of Interacting Species.--jacket. The Entangled Bank : Specialization Within Darwin's Entangled Bank -- From The Entangled Bank To The Evolutionary Synthesis -- Specialization And Coevolution Since The Evolutionary Synthesis -- The Evolution Of Specialization : Phylogeny Of Specialization -- Evolutionary Genetics Of Specialization -- Ontogeny Of Specialization -- Natural Selection And The Geographic Structure Of Specialization : Why Parasitism Is Special -- Choosing Among Multiple Victims -- Coping With Multiple Enemies: The Geography Of Defense -- Extreme Specialization In Mutualists -- Further Limitations On Specialization In Mutualisms -- Specialization And Coevolution : Genetics Of Coevolution -- The Geographic Mosaic Theory Of Coevolution -- Diversifying Coevolution -- Asymmetries In Specialization And Coevolution -- Pushing The Limits Of Coevolution -- Synthesis : The Geographic Mosaic In Evolving Interactions -- Epilogue : Specialization, Coevolution, And Conservation. John N. Thompson. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 296-343) And Index. Contents Preface Overview Part I. The Entangled Bank 1 Specialization within Darwin's Entangled Bank 2 From the Entangled Bank to the Evolutionary Synthesis 3 Specialization and Coevolution since the Evolutionary Synthesis Part II. The Evolution of Specialization 4 Phylogeny of Specialization 5 Evolutionary Genetics of Specialization 6 Ontogeny of Specialization Part III. Natural Selection and the Geographic Structure of Specialization 7 Why Parasitism Is Special 8 Choosing among Multiple Victims 9 Coping with Multiple Enemies: The Geogrraphy of Defense 10 Extreme Specialization in Mutualists 11 Further Limitations on Specialization in Mutualisms Part IV. Specialization and Coevolution 12 Genetics of Coevolution 13 The Geographic Mosaic Theory of Coevolution 14 Diversifying Coevolution 15 Assymetries in Specialization and Coevolution 16 Pushing the Limits of Coevolution Synthesis: The Geographic Mosaic in Evolving Interactions Epilogue: Specialization, Coevolution, and Conservation Literature Cited Index In this text, the author outlines his geographic mosaic theory of coevolution. Through this theory, he creates connections between the study of specialization and coevolution in local communities and the study of patterns seen in comparisons of the phylogenies of interacting species.