Evolutionary Ecology of Birds
Life Histories, Mating systems, and Extinction
Seiten
2002
Oxford University Press (Verlag)
978-0-19-851089-5 (ISBN)
Oxford University Press (Verlag)
978-0-19-851089-5 (ISBN)
Birds show bewildering diversity in their life histories, mating systems and risk of extinction. Why, for example, are fairy-wrens so sexually promiscuous while swans show life long monogamy? This fascinating book is a comprehensive re-appraisal of avian diversity, and is the most extensive application of modern comparative methods yet undertaken.
Birds show bewildering diversity in their life histories, mating systems and risk of extinction. Why do albatrosses delay reproduction for the first 12 years of their life while zebra finches breed in their first year ? Why are fairy-wrens so sexually promiscuous while swans show lifelong monogamy? Why are over a quarter of parrot species threatened with global extinction while woodpeckers and cuckoos remain secure?
Some of these topics, such as delayed onset of breeding in seabirds, are classic problems in evolutionary ecology, while others have arisen in the last decade, such as genetic mating systems and extinction. Birds offer a unique opportunity for investigating these questions because they are exceptionally well-studied in the wild. By employing phylogenetic comparative methods and a database of up to 3,000 species, the authors identify the ecological and evolutionary basis of many of these intriguing questions. They also highlight remaining puzzles and identify a series of challenges for future investigation.
This is the most comprehensive reappraisal of avian diversity since David Lack's classic "Ecological Adaptations for Breeding in Birds". It is also the most extensive application of modern comparative methods yet undertaken. This novel approach demonstrates how an evolutionary perspective can reveal the general ecological processes that underpin contemporary avian diversity on a global scale.
Birds show bewildering diversity in their life histories, mating systems and risk of extinction. Why do albatrosses delay reproduction for the first 12 years of their life while zebra finches breed in their first year ? Why are fairy-wrens so sexually promiscuous while swans show lifelong monogamy? Why are over a quarter of parrot species threatened with global extinction while woodpeckers and cuckoos remain secure?
Some of these topics, such as delayed onset of breeding in seabirds, are classic problems in evolutionary ecology, while others have arisen in the last decade, such as genetic mating systems and extinction. Birds offer a unique opportunity for investigating these questions because they are exceptionally well-studied in the wild. By employing phylogenetic comparative methods and a database of up to 3,000 species, the authors identify the ecological and evolutionary basis of many of these intriguing questions. They also highlight remaining puzzles and identify a series of challenges for future investigation.
This is the most comprehensive reappraisal of avian diversity since David Lack's classic "Ecological Adaptations for Breeding in Birds". It is also the most extensive application of modern comparative methods yet undertaken. This novel approach demonstrates how an evolutionary perspective can reveal the general ecological processes that underpin contemporary avian diversity on a global scale.
1. COMPARATIVE METHODS ; 2. DIVERSITY AMONG LIVING SPECIES ; 6. VARIATION IN MATING SYSTEMS AND SEXUAL DIMORPHISM ; 10. VARIATION IN EXTINCTION RISK AND SPECIES RICHNESS
Erscheint lt. Verlag | 24.1.2002 |
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Reihe/Serie | Oxford Series in Ecology and Evolution |
Zusatzinfo | 5 line drawings, numerous tables and figures |
Verlagsort | Oxford |
Sprache | englisch |
Maße | 156 x 233 mm |
Gewicht | 435 g |
Themenwelt | Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Evolution |
Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Ökologie / Naturschutz | |
Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Zoologie | |
ISBN-10 | 0-19-851089-6 / 0198510896 |
ISBN-13 | 978-0-19-851089-5 / 9780198510895 |
Zustand | Neuware |
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