The Ecology of Adaptive Radiation

by Dolph Schluter

Adaptive radiation is the evolution of diversity within a rapidly multiplying lineage. It can cause a single ancestral species to differentiate into an impressively vast array of species inhabiting a variety of environments. Much of life's diversity has arisen during adaptive radiations. Some of the most famous recent examples include the East African cichilid fishes, the Hawaiian silverswords, and Darwin's Galapagos finches. This book evaluates the causes of adaptive radiation. It focuses on the 'ecological' theory of adaptive radiation, a body of ideas that began with Darwin and were developed through the early part of the 20th century. This theory proposes that phenotypic divergence and speciation in adaptive radiation are caused ultimately by divergent natural selection arising from differences in environment and competition between species. The text re-evaluates the ecological theory, along with its most significant extensions and challenges, in the light of all the recent
evidence. It is the first full exploration of the causes of adaptive radiation in decades.

Genres: Science, Ecology, Nonfiction, Evolution

300 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2000

Reviews

[Joe Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book places heavy emphasis on trophic adaptations although over and over Dolph includes the caveat that sexual selection is an alternative explanation for the observed phenotypic modifications that plausibly allow or account for the radiations under discussion. So why doesn't he explore the role of sexual selection in promoting adaptive radiation? I don't know but it does seem that sexual selection has historically received short shrift in the late 20th / early 21st century literature of evolutionary ecology. Perhaps this is beginning to change. Trophic adaptations and the role of competition are indeed important to the topic of radiation but organisms can be fat as can be and it will do them no good in terms of fitness if they don't leave offspring. But forget my carping and read this book. It's very well written and interesting.

[J.P. Drury · Rating 4 out of 5]

clearly conceived, clearly argued...a text I'm sure I'll refer to often.