Ecology of Butterflies in Europe

by Josef Settele, Tim Shreeve, Martin Konvicka, Hans Van Dyck

Overview

Due to the attractiveness of butterflies, and their usefulness as model systems for biological questions, there has been a considerable amount of material written on butterfly biology, largely in Europe. This book synthesizes all relevant and recent knowledge in the field, which is a must for those making use of this taxonomic group as a model system. It is divided into five major parts which deal with habitat use, population ecology and genetics, evolutionary ecology, distribution and phylogeny, and global change and conservation. There are growing numbers of scientific projects and networks in Europe in which the use of butterflies as tools and targets for conservation is central, and application of knowledge is closely related to European cultural landscapes. However, the chapters can also be applied to a wide geographic scope. Written by an international team of experts, this timely book is suitable for students, researchers and enthusiasts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521747592
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	10/15/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	526
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.60(h) x 1.10(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction: ecology of butterflies in Europe – where are we now and where to go? Roger Dennis; Part I. Habitat-Use: Resources and Constraints: 2. Adult food resources in butterflies Andreas Erhardt and Jovanne Mevi-Schütz; 3. Mating behaviour in butterflies Per-Olof Wickman; 4. Butterfly oviposition: sites, behaviour and modes Enrique García-Barros and Thomas Fartmann; 5. Butterfly herbivory and larval ecology Miguel L. Munguira, Enrique Garcia-Barros and José Martin Cano; 6. Thermoregulation and habitat use in butterflies Per-Olof Wickman; 7. Predictive species distribution modelling in butterflies Boris Schröder, Barbara Strauss, Birgit Binzenhöfer, Robert Biedermann and Josef Settele; Part II. Population Biology: Population Structure, Dynamics and Genetics: 8. Butterfly population structure and dynamics Rob Wilson and David Roy; 9. Costs and benefits of dispersal in butterflies Thomas Hovestadt and Marko Nieminen; 10. Population genetics of butterflies Gabriel Nève; 11. Parasitoids of European butterflies Mark Shaw, Constanti Stefanescu and Saskya van Nouhuys; Part III. Evolutionary Ecology: 12. Adaptation and plasticity in butterflies: the interplay of genes and environment Hans Van Dyck and Jack Windig; 13. Functional significance of butterfly wing morphology Tim Shreeve, Martin Konvicka and Hans Van Dyck; 14. Evolutionary ecology of butterfly fecundity Bengt Karlsson and Hans Van Dyck; 15. Gradients in butterfly biology Sören Nylin; Part IV. Species in Time and Space: Distribution and Phylogeny: 16. Bad species - how ecology and evolution confuse butterfly taxonomy Henri Descimon and James Mallet; 17. Butterfly faunal structures, phylogeography, and historical implications Roger Dennis and Thomas Schmitt; 18. Butterfly richness patterns and gradients David Gutierrez; 19. Ecological genetics and evolutionary ecology in butterfly hybrid zones Adam Porter; Part V. Global Change and Conservation: 20. Climate warming and distribution changes in butterflies Jane K. Hill, Ralf Ohlemüller, Richard Fox and Chris D. Thomas; 21. Conservation status of European butterflies Chris Van Swaay, Dirk Maes and Martin Warren; 22. (Meta)population viability analysis in butterflies: a crystal ball for the conservation of endangered butterflies? Nicolas Schtickzelle and Michel Baguette; 23. Butterflies of European ecosystems: impact of land use and options for conservation management Josef Settele, John Dover, Matthias Dolek and Martin Konvicka.

Editorial Reviews

"This very well-written, easy-to-read, iconic book has highly integrated chapters that incorporate details of natural history, ecological theory and methods and analysis suitable for use in biological and ecological studies of Lepidoptera. Useful to ecologists, lepidopterists, and anyone involved in conservation efforts worldwide. Highly recommended."
J.M. Gonzalez, Choice Magazine

"... this is an excellent and enthralling book[.] In every chapter I have found intriguing ideas and facts. Its messages are important and wide-ranging. And it is easily recommendable to every ecologist. Don't be put off by the 'European' part of the title. The range of species, habitat, climate, threat and response make this a book with world-wide importance."
Mark Young, Bulletin of the British Ecological Society

"... the quality of writing is high throughout, with an evenness that speaks to the diligence and effectiveness of its four editors. It has much to offer the general scientific community in that the editors have given authors considerable rein to be both informative and entertaining. While every chapter does use butterfly systems as case studies, presentation of theory and conceptual topics is often quite general, rendering it potentially good fodder for a graduate seminar in ecology, evolution, and behavior or an excellent textbook for a graduate course in butterfly biology. The reference list alone (totally 100 pages) is worth hours of web and journal searching."
Camille Parmesan and Michael C. Singer, Ecology

From the Publisher