Comprising a substantial part of living biomass on earth, ants are integral to the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. More than 12,000 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 explores 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.
Ant Ecology is a well-written and comprehensive summary of the diversity, community ecology, and population dynamics of ant communities. It is an effective synthesis of more than 50 years of literature, integrating topics ranging from behavioural ecology to conservation biology...The structure of the book enables the next generation of researchers to access relevant literature and identify current areas of interest. ^i Ant Ecology ^r is thus an important addition to the literature; it will rest on the bookshelves of mymecologists next to their beloved copy of ^i The Ants ^r, destined to become equally dog-eared, sticky with Tanglefoot, and streaked with Fluon, the badges of honour of a well-used and invaluable resourse on ant biology. * Amy L. Mertl and James F. A. Traniello, American Entomologist * Ant Ecology is probably the most complete summary of what is known about the ecology of ants to date. It is a must-read for first-year graduate students either planning to use ants as a model system or interested in various aspects of ant ecology. Ant Ecology will serve as a reference for cutting-edge ecological research on ants by among the most up-and-coming myrmecologists around. * Ecology * The editors have successfully woven together pieces from a wide range of contributors to create an enjoyable volume that provides both a comprehensive overview for those new to the field, and a useful reference volume for experienced myrmecologists. * TREE * The book as a whole has been extremely well written, in a simple and clear style which makes most of the contents appealing to a wide range of readers, even those without a strong background in biology. The book also incorporates 15 superb colour plates depicting a selection from the vast array of fascinating antlife. * Animal Behaviour *
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