In Alien Species and Evolution, biologist George W. Cox reviews and synthesizes emerging information on the evolutionary changes that occur in plants, animals, and microbial organisms when they colonize new geographical areas, and on the evolutionary responses of the native species with which alien species interact.
The book is broad in scope, exploring information across a wide variety of taxonomic groups, trophic levels, and geographic areas. It examines theoretical topics related to rapid evolutionary change and supports the emerging concept that species introduced to new physical and biotic environments are particularly prone to rapid evolution. The author draws on examples from all parts of the world and all major ecosystem types, and the variety of examples used gives considerable insight into the patterns of evolution that are likely to result from the massive introduction of species to new geographic regions that is currently occurring around the globe.
Alien Species and Evolution is the only state-of-the-art review and synthesis available of this critically important topic, and is an essential work for anyone concerned with the new science of invasion biology or the threats posed by invasive species.
Preface
PART I. Basic Concepts of Alien Invasion and Evolution Chapter 1. Alien Species and Accelerated Evolution Chapter 2. Adaptation of Alien Species for Dispersal and Establishment Chapter 3. Founder Effects and Exotic Variability Chapter 4. Introduction Sources, Cryptic Species, and Invasion Routes
PART II. Processes of Evolutionary Change and Adaptation Chapter 5. Hybridization and Evolution of Exotics Chapter 6. Hybridization and Transgenic Organisms Chapter 7. Invasion Resistance of Native Communities Chapter 8. Adaptation of Alien Species to New Habitats
PART III. Evolutionary Interaction of Aliens and Natives Chapter 9. Evolutionary Adaptation by Alien Herbivores Chapter 10. Evolutionary Adaptation by Alien Predators and Parasites Chapter 11. Adaptation of Alien Diseases to Hosts and Vectors Chapter 12. Adaptation of Plants to Alien Herbivores and Diseases Chapter 13. Adaptation of Native Herbivores to Alien Plants Chapter 14. Adaptation of Animals to Alien Predators, Parasites, and Disease Agents Chapter 15. Accumulation of Herbivores, Predators, and Parasites by Alien Species
PART IV. Global Evolutionary Consequences of Alien Invasions Chapter 16. Alien Species as Agents of Extirpation and Extinction Chapter 17. Evolutionary Ecology of Alien Biological Control Agents Chapter 18. Counteradaptation and Integration into the Biotic Community Chapter 19. Dispersing Aliens and Speciation Chapter 20. Permanently Altered Biotic Communities
