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The Mediterranean Basin, one of the five mediterranean-climate regions of the world, seems particularly suitable as a model system in which to integrate the study of species divergence (macroevolution) with that of population differentiation (microevolution), as it has been evidenced that both ecological specialization and geographical isolation have been primary determining factors to explain its high biodiversity. In the Mediterranean area, the genus Anthemis L. (Compositae, Anthemideae) provides a suitable plant group with which to link both the macro- and the microevolutionary approaches. It acts as a suitable proxy for the reconstruction of the biogeographical and climatological history...
Seed dispersal by ants (myrmecochory) still provides numerous interesting questions concerning dispersal patterns and mutualistic benefits to both ants and plants. The contribution of a rather small-sized but highly abundant ant species of Central Europe, Temnothorax crassispinus, to myrmecochory is studied in particular and the benefit of the plants derived from their dispersal activity is assessed. The findings are discussed and illustrated and an outlook is presented about future research perspectives. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of the specificity of seed dispersal by ants is undertaken. Despite the lack of species-specific relations in myrmecochory, where it is shown that especially seeds with very low seed mass and those with very high seed mass are dependent on both small and large ants, respectively, for their dispersal.
Photosynthesis and the Environment examines how photosynthesis may be influenced by environmental changes. Structural and functional aspects of the photosynthetic apparatus are examined in the context of responses to environmental stimuli; particular attention being given to the processing of light energy by thylakoids, metabolic regulation, gas exchange and source-sink relations. The roles of developmental and genetic responses in determining photosynthetic performance are also considered. The complexity of the responses to environmental change is demonstrated by detailed analyses of the effects of specific environmental variables (light, temperature, water, CO2, ozone and UV-B) on photosynthetic performance. Where appropriate attention is given to recent developments in the techniques used for studying photosynthetic activities. The book is intended for advanced undergraduate and graduate students and a wide range of scientists with research interests in environmental effects on photosynthesis and plant productivity.
Countless ants transport and deposit seeds and thereby influence the survival, death, and evolution of many plant species. In higher plants, seed dispersal by ants (myrmecochory) has appeared many times independently in different lineages. More than 3000 plant species are known to utilize ant assistance to be planted. Myrmecochory is a very interesting and rather enigmatic form of mutualistic ant-plant associations. This phenomenon is extremely complex, because there are hundreds of ant species connected with hundreds of plant species. This book effectively combines a thorough approach to investigating morphological and physiological adaptations of plants with elegant field experiments on th...
Self-contained and reader-friendly, this volume provides a balanced blend of evolutionary theory, population genetics, and systematics with an emphasis on the experimental approach.
This book provides a concise and readable summary of the ecology and behaviour of bumblebees, with a particular focus on practical issues such as conservation strategies, management of bumblebees for crop pollination, and the possible impacts of bumblebees as non-native invasive species.