Evolution in Isolation
The Search for an Island Syndrome in Plants

Tests for repeated patterns in evolution of island plants, which together comprise an 'island syndrome' analogous to animals.

Kevin C. Burns (Author)

9781108422017, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 16 May 2019

236 pages, 78 b/w illus.
23.5 x 15.6 x 1.5 cm, 0.51 kg

'In this slender, captivating volume, Kevin Burns surveys hypotheses about island syndromes - 'repeated patterns in plant form and function on islands' … The volume ends with fascinating case studies (e.g., the cucumber tree of Socotra), and summarizes traits hypothesized as island syndromes … This should give biologists excellent grounds to dig deeper into the fascinating biology of island plants …' Robert D. Holt, The Quarterly Review of Biology

Oceanic islands are storehouses for unique creatures. Zoologists have long been fascinated by island animals because they break all the rules. Speedy, nervous, little birds repeatedly evolve to become plump, tame and flightless on islands. Equally strange and wonderful plants have evolved on islands. However, plants are very poorly understood relative to animals. Do plants repeatedly evolve similar patterns in dispersal ability, size and defence on islands? This volume answers this question for the first time using a modern quantitative approach. It not only reviews the literature on differences in defence, loss of dispersal, changes in size, alterations to breeding systems and the loss of fire adaptations, but also brings new data into focus to fill gaps in current understanding. By firmly establishing what is currently known about repeated patterns in the evolution of island plants, this book provides a roadmap for future research.

1. Emblematic island animals
2. Differences in defence
3. Reduced dispersibility
4. Gender and out-crossing
5. Size changes
6. Loss of fire adapted traits
7. Emblematic island plants.

Subject Areas: Applied ecology [RNC], Biogeography [RGM], Animal ecology [PSVS], Plant ecology [PSTS], Plant reproduction & propagation [PSTL], Plant physiology [PSTD], Botany & plant sciences [PST], Evolution [PSAJ]