Ant Ecology

Comprising a substantial part of living biomass on earth, ants are integral to the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. More than 12,500 species have been described to date, and it is estimated that perhaps as many still await classification. Ant Ecology explores key ecological issues and new developments in myrmecology across a range of scales. The book begins with a global perspective on species diversity in time and space, and examines interactions at the community level before describing the population ecology of these social insects. The final section covers the recent ecological phenomenon of invasive ants: how they move across the globe, invade, affect ecosystems, and are managed by humans. Each chapter links ant ecology to broader ecological principles, provides a succinct summary, and discusses future research directions. Practical aspects of myrmecology, applications of ant ecology, debates, and novel discoveries are highlighted in text boxes throughout the volume. The book concludes with a synthesis of the current state of the field and a look at exciting future research directions. The extensive reference list and full glossary are invaluable for researchers, and those new to the field.

Product details

• Authors: Kirsti Abbott, Lori Lach, Lori (The University of Western Australia Lach, Lori Parr Lach, Catherine Parr
• Assisted by: Kirsti Abbott (Editor), Abbott Kirsti (Editor), Lori Lach (Editor), Lach Lori (Editor), Catherine Parr (Editor), Parr Catherine (Editor)
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 10.06.2010
• EAN: 9780199592616
• ISBN: 978-0-19-959261-6
• No. of pages: 424
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative linguistics; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Biology > Zoology; SCIENCE / Life Sciences / Zoology / General, SCIENCE / Life Sciences / Biological Diversity, SCIENCE / Life Sciences / Zoology / Entomology, Biodiversity, Insects (entomology), Animal behaviour, Animal Ecology, Ethology and animal behaviour, Zoology and animal sciences, Biodiversity / Ecosystems