Model Systems in Behavioral Ecology: Integrating Conceptual, Theoretical, and Empirical Approaches

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Model Systems in Behavioral Ecology: Integrating Conceptual, Theoretical, and Empirical Approaches. Edited by Lee Alan Dugatkin Model Systems in Behavioral Ecology: Integrating Conceptual, Theoretical, and Empirical Approaches by Lee Alan Dugatkin Review by: Reviewed by Lawrence M Dill The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 77, No. 3 (September 2002), pp. 361-362 Published by: The University of Chicago Press Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/345260 . Accessed: 10/12/2012 15:15

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REVIEWS AND BRIEF NOTICES

History, Philosophy & Ethics ...... 307 Plant Sciences ...... 328 General Biology ...... 312 Animal Sciences ...... 331 For Tyros & Laics ...... 314 Aquatic Sciences ...... 346 Paleontology ...... 315 Environmental Sciences ...... 347 Molecular Biology ...... 317 Neural Sciences ...... 355 Cellular Biology ...... 317 Behavior ...... 360 Genetics & Evolution ...... 318 Human Biology & Health ...... 362 Reproduction & Development ...... 326 Biomedical Sciences ...... 364 Microbiology ...... 327

HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY & ETHICS occurs before selection on the rest of the phenotype is well laid out. Forsdyke concludes that, if his THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES Revisited: A Victorian interpretation is correct, Romanes and Bateson Who Anticipated Modern Developments in were light years ahead of their contemporaries. Darwin’s Theory. This assumes that we can equate the modern-day By Donald R Forsdyke. Montreal and Ithaca (New knowledge that aspects of species-specific base %Gםcomposition in viral DNA (in particular, C ם York): McGill-Queen’s University Press. $49.95. xi 275 p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-7735-2259-X. 2001. differences) indicate some physiological basis for From the dust jacket, I expected this to be an his- selection and, specifically, for speciation of organ- torical treatment into antecedents to Darwin’s the- isms other than viruses, which is a real stretch. ory on the origin of species. It is part history—“[i]n Romanes and Bateson were seeking a physiologi- places I am drawn to ask questions of a historical cal mechanism. Whether we have found that in .G% differences in viruses remains to be seenםnature” (p 3)—but the history takes the form of C looking for hints in the 19th century for recent Other aspects of the phenotype of the gene (pat- physiological and molecular approaches to the ori- terns of methylation, imprinting) are not consid- gin of species. Forsdyke believes that he has found ered; whether any aspects of the heritable pheno- such hints in the works of Romanes, Gulick, and type of the gene relate to speciation (initiation or Bateson, the latter being well known for his redis- adaptation) remains to be proven. What Forsdyke covery of Mendel’s paper. Romanes was a staunch does is remind us that individuals other than Dar- supporter of Darwin. Gulick (for most of his life a win were seeking alternate mechanisms of speci- missionary) is known to some for his discovery of ation. speciation in isolated, but contiguous populations Brian K Hall, Biology, Dalhousie University, Hali- of Hawaiian snails. Less well known is that Gulick fax, Nova Scotia, Canada anticipated “organic selection” (the Baldwin effect) by 11 years. Forsdyke admits that his approach is unabashed Whig history, which histo- Dear Mr Darwin: Letters on the Evolution of rians are not supposed to do. But Forsdyke is not Life and Human Nature. an historian, he is a biochemist and molecular biol- By Gabriel Dover. Berkeley (California): University of .p; ill.; index 268 ם ogist. California Press. $27.50. xvi As his mechanism of speciation, Darwin opted ISBN: 0-520-22790-5. [First published in Great for natural selection over the production of vari- Britain in 1999 by Weidenfeld & Nicolson.] 2000. ants—most evolutionary biologists would not In this imaginary correspondence with Charles define variation as “like does not produce like,” or Darwin the author asserts that many of the ideas inheritance as “like produces like,” as Forsdyke of William Hamilton, George Williams, Robert does (p 16). Bateson wanted to include reproduc- Trivers, and John Maynard Smith are based upon tive criteria in his definition of a species. Romanes’s the “illusion” that genes are the ultimate units of thesis that reproductive or physiological selection selection (p 70), that evolutionary factors addi-

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This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 308 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 tional to natural selection have been overlooked into her account, Ceccarelli adds an important (such as neutral drift, “exaptation,” “adoptation,” contribution to our understanding of how science and “molecular drive”), and that DNA, RNA, and develops. proteins have cooperated and coevolved since the The book is separated into four sections. The origin of life. The important writings of Richard first three are case studies of scientists attempting Dawkins on these subjects are repeatedly carica- to inspire interdisciplinarity through inspirational tured and scornfully dismissed, and Edward O Wil- monographs; the fourth section then offers con- son is called “the father of evolutionary psychol- clusions concerning the genre, including how it ogy” (p 233). Also, the author finds evidence from contributes to the rhetoric of science, the history his teary experiences in watching football (soccer) of science, and interdisciplinary studies. Each case matches (p 186) and in listening to music (p 242) study is further separated into two chapters. The that human behavior is not genetically determined first chapter places the volume within its historical and therefore that we have free will. How, he asks, context, outlining the social, conceptual, and theo- could the behavior of team athletes and their sup- retical debates on the eve of the book’s publication. porting fans be under the control of selfish genes The second chapter then offers a close reading of if they are unrelated and from such diverse back- the text itself combined with an examination of its grounds? reception within the scientific community. Through The author does not provide the background this admixture of the rhetoric of science and the information needed by his intended audience history of science, textual analysis, and reader (general readers) to evaluate this truly astonishing response, Ceccarelli is able to explain how the suc- mishmash of confused and ignorant assertions. cessful inspirational monograph was rhetorically Anyone wishing to gain a clear understanding of designed to unite the social and conceptual divi- the topics discussed in this book should go to one sions among disciplines to form new interdisciplin- of the recently published introductory textbooks ary fields of research. on sociobiology or evolutionary psychology, or to The three volumes Ceccarelli examines are The- the original writings of the authors mentioned odosius Dobzhansky’s Genetics and the Origin of Spe- above. The same course of action is recommended cies (1937. New York: Columbia University Press), for the author. Erwin Schro¨dinger’s What Is Life?: The Physical William F Zimmerman, Biology, Amherst College, Aspect of the Living Cell (1944. Cambridge: Cam- Amherst, Massachusetts bridge University Press), and Edward O Wilson’s Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge (1998. New York: Knopf). Although the first two books helped usher Shaping Science with Rhetoric: The Cases of in the modern synthesis and molecular biology, Dobzhansky, Schro¨dinger, and Wilson. respectively, the third has arguably ended in fail- By Leah Ceccarelli. Chicago (Illinois): University of Chi- ure. The most exciting and useful conclusion cago Press. $55.00 (hardcover); $20.00 (paper). xi comes from a comparison of why, rhetorically, p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-226-09906-7 (hc); 0- these volumes succeeded or failed. Ceccarelli 204 ם 226-09907-5 (pb). 2001. defines two specific rhetorical strategies used to Despite the book’s title, this is no disciplinary appeal to two different disciplines. The first, con- defense of how rhetoric is responsible for the crea- ceptual chiasmus, is a rhetorical strategy that tion of scientific knowledge. Rather, the author has encourages each discipline to view the world gone beyond the former generation of rhetori- through the other’s intellectual space. The sec- cians of science to demonstrate how “interdisci- ond, polysemous constructions, allows an ambig- plinary inspirational monographs” help form new uous passage to be read and interpreted by each disciplines within science and thus shape future sci- community in more than one way. As Ceccarelli entific research. Ceccarelli defines these mono- demonstrates, these constructions are expertly graphs as volumes that address groups of scientists represented in the work of Dobzhansky and from different fields urging them to enter into new Schro¨dinger, and decidedly absent in the work of interdisciplinary alliances. Although Shaping Sci- Wilson. ence is about interdisciplinarity, it is also an inter- At the turn of the 20th century, methodological disciplinary inspirational textbook, a new addition disagreements and ideological commitments sepa- to the genre. The author nicely weaves together rated descriptive naturalists and experimental the disciplinary strengths and professional inter- geneticists. As Ceccarelli argues, a close reading ests of rhetoricians and historians to explore how of the text and its reviews reveal that Dobzhansky scientists successfully motivate their colleagues to was sensitive to the different social, political, and cross disciplinary boundaries. By incorporating professional concerns of both the naturalists and social, professional, and cognitive explanations the geneticists. He used mechanistic language to

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 309 describe natural selection, while introducing non- interdisciplinary research. In the end, science is reductionist explanations of biological processes. indeed shaped by both social and cognitive forces. Through this conceptual chiasmus, Dobzhansky As Ceccarelli defines the genre of the interdisci- was able to make the competing camps conceptu- plinary inspirational monograph, Shaping Science is alize their fields differently. Moreover, the text was itself an example of the genre. Through her own written in such a manner to allow for two different use of conceptual chiasmus and polysemy, she has readings. Unlike the rhetoric of conquest found in taken a large step toward reinvigorating the rheto- Wilson’s Consilience, Dobzhansky used a polyse- ric of science, offering innumerable possibilities mous construction that safeguarded the naturalist for those interested not only in science studies, but tradition, while simultaneously suggesting the fer- in interdisciplinary research in general. tile ground that would be opened to the geneticist. Michael S Reidy, History & Philosophy, Montana He thereby smoothed political tensions to make State University, Bozeman, Montana each group believe that it was in their own best interest to collaborate. Ceccarelli identifies the same rhetorical strate- The Evolution of Reason: Logic as a Branch gies in Schro¨dinger’s monograph. Although it of Biology. Cambridge Studies in Philosophy and offered no new scientific findings and was replete Biology. with errors, Schro¨dinger helped convince both By William S Cooper. Cambridge and New York: Cam- ;.p; ill 226 ם biologists and physicists that collaboration was bridge University Press. $52.95. x desirable. By animating the atom and mechanizing index. ISBN: 0-521-79196-0. 2001. the organism, Schro¨dinger, unlike Wilson, was From at least as early as the publication of Charles careful not to place one discipline above the other Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, scholars have in his exposition. Like Dobzhansky, Schro¨dinger attempted to locate the origin of human behavioral also used a polysemous construction. In an ambig- and mental traits within animal groups assumed to uous passage in his introduction, he suggested that be ancestral to humans. In The Evolution of Reason, living matter would likely involve “other laws of William Cooper takes this reductive process one physics.” Rather than using her rhetorical analysis step further by locating the origin of reason and to determine what Schro¨dinger actually meant or logic within the process of evolution. As he states to support a certain historical reading, Ceccarelli his position, there is no need “to account for acknowledges the ambiguity of Schro¨dinger’s logic—only a drawing out of the consequences of “other laws of physics” passage and demonstrates known principles of natural selection” (p 5) is how the different readings of the passage were required. valid from each discipline’s perspective. Here, as To support his view, he develops the “Reducibil- elsewhere in Shaping Science, Ceccarelli notes how ity Thesis,” and then provides a lengthy logic-based different audiences produce different readings of philosophical defense of a reductive chain con- a volume, as they come to it with different profes- necting evolution theory to mathematics, through sional and ideological assumptions. Those sequential steps of life-history strategy theory, deci- researchers interested in the public understanding sion theory, inductive logic, and deductive logic. of science will find this especially appealing. Importantly, these steps are not merely artificial In an attempt to carve out a disciplinary space, conventions since biology’s “evolutionary branch is pioneering rhetoricians of science focused largely a subscience that, in addition to its ordinary offices, on the major scientists and their exemplary text- predicts and explains logic” (p 12). In other words, books. Too often science was reduced entirely to as the book’s title strongly implies, reason and logic persuasive techniques. Although Ceccarelli acknowl- are products of the evolutionary process. And edges her debt to these earlier researchers, she has herein resides a two-part rub. moved gracefully beyond. Rather than a battle cry First, despite the title, there is little discussion of for disciplinary space, Ceccarelli places the “subdis- biology or evolution theory. Cooper does refer to cipline” of the rhetoric of science within an inter- predation, shelter, and food resources, but always disciplinary framework that speaks to rhetoricians of in a general sense and only in connection with science, those in the large discipline of rhetorical decision theory or life-history strategy. Similarly, inquiry, historians of science, and larger interdis- evolutionary ideas such as selection, adaptation, ciplinary research communities. By focusing on and survival make it into the text, but in most cases interdisciplinary inspirational monographs, the they, too, lack any specific context, serving instead author was able to use the advances made by the as generalized statements that enable the author to earlier generation of scholars and investigate, on transcend the biological basis of his argument for equal terms, the book, the historical context, and the logical aspects of the “Reducibility Thesis.” the broader social and cognitive factors leading to Without clear and convincing examples that illus-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 310 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 trate how evolutionary processes drawn from biol- onomic status in letters to colleagues. Richard ogy may lead causally to logic, Cooper is not just Owen was the most obsessed with the biology of asking readers to accept an implication from evo- the platypus. He spent years attempting to obtain lution theory, but he is requiring one to leap with specimens to determine the animal’s mode of abandon from evolution theory to logic. reproduction. Despite accounts by Aborigines that Second, Cooper implicitly positions himself the platypus laid eggs, it took over 80 years before within a long tradition of providing a naturalistic this fact was verified and the platypus attained its basis for logic and reason, as well as philosophy. particular scientific status as intermediate between There is, however, no discussion that indicates what reptiles and mammals. Cooper is offering is something new. How does he The book is chronologically structured to show avoid the naturalistic fallacy? How does he avoid how the scientific view of the platypus changed the social and cultural setting of reason and logic? over time, particularly with respect to evolutionary Are we to assume that only in the western world theory. This link between the platypus and its has reason and logic from animal ancestors found importance in the construction of evolutionary fertile ground in which to take root? Or, does Coo- theory at times seems a bit forced, although sci- per assume that the long tradition of western logic entists were impressed by this biological novelty. and reason is essentially identical to nonwestern The book is written for general readers, but it can logical and rational systems? Again, without con- be appreciated by scholars of biology and the his- fronting these issues, especially through the bene- tory of science. Little detailed information on the fit of an extensive body of historical work, his book biology of the platypus is presented in the book, appears to offer a naı¨ve argument. At the very least, and readers interested in such accounts are better it would seem appropriate to ask for a contextual referred to other books listed in the bibliography. setting for his “Reducibility Thesis.” From an historical perspective, Moyal has done a But perhaps it is not fair to judge The Evolution exceptional job in documenting the impact of the of Reason from either the perspective of the biolo- platypus, including a rich collection of black-and- gist or the historian. After all, given its content and white illustrations, color plates, stories, and poems, given the nature of its argument, Cooper may have which are entwined in the fabric of Australian cul- directed his claims to a philosophical audience. ture. The book is entertaining for those readers Certainly these readers would find his book more interested in this most enigmatic of mammals. accessible. Nevertheless, such a provocative thesis Frank E Fish, Biology, West Chester University, West should aim to reach the larger audience of general Chester, Pennsylvania readers of biological literature. Keith R Benson, History, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California The Perversion of Knowledge: The True Story of Soviet Science. By Vadim J Birstein. Boulder (Colorado): Westview p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0- 492 ם Platypus: The Extraordinary Story of How a Press. $32.50. xx Curious Creature Baffled the World. 8133-3907-3. 2001. By Ann Moyal. Washington (DC): Smithsonian Insti- This volume records the corruption of Soviet sci- pl; ill.; ence by state power. Vadim Birstein, a geneticist 8 ם p 226 ם tution Press. $21.95. xiii index. ISBN: 1-56098-977-7. 2001. trained in biology during the Lysenko era, explains There is perhaps only one animal in the world how members of scientific institutions, particularly that since its discovery could have been described the prestigious Academy of Sciences, collaborated as a hoax, a prank, a myth, a novelty, eccentric, in the legitimization of inhumane research and in unnatural, improbable, anomalous, archaic, highly the suppression of colleagues. Birstein emphasizes evolved, complex, and a paradox. This is the plat- the Stalinist period, ending with a sober appraisal ypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus. In her book, Moyal of post-Soviet scientific leadership. The book is affectionately examines the scientific history of extensively documented from work with available one of nature’s most fascinating oddities. The archives and published materials in Russian and arrival of specimens of the “amphibious mole” in English. In particular, the records of the human Europe starting in 1799 coincided with the active rights organization, Memorial, and KGB docu- period of the development of evolutionary theory. ments that Birstein acquired drew him to Grigory Indeed, all the major players in the arguments over Mairanovsky’s career. The notorious biochemist- evolution in the early 19th century had something physician directed Laboratory No. 1 for the NKVD to say about the platypus. Darwin had observed and MGB in the 1930s and 1940s. At that facility, and hunted platypus in Australia, while serving on prisoners were administered poisons in controlled the HMS Beagle, and he pondered the animal’s tax- experiments that led ultimately to their deaths.

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The resulting data were applied in espionage and torical perspective on the scientific findings in biological and chemical weaponry. Although behind the discovery and eventual understanding Birstein compares these experiments with similar of the large decreases in stratospheric ozone con- ones in Nazi Germany, and mentions American centrations that have occurred over the last few radiation and British nerve gas tests on volunteers, decades. Of particular focus is the discovery in it is clear that he regards the Soviet activity as the 1984 of the large springtime ozone decrease over most repugnant. Antarctica, known as the ozone “hole,” which then Just as devastating was the deadly political led to much speculation about possible causes merger between Lysenkoism and the security ser- before key atmospheric measurements finally dem- vices under the auspices of the Academy of Sci- onstrated that chlorine, and to some extent bro- ences. The Academy not only accepted the quack mine, from human related activities were largely professoriate of Trofim Lysenko into its ranks, it responsible. Although it misses on some details, also allowed security agents to adopt the institution this brief synopsis generally does an excellent job as a “cover,” conferring degrees and membership. of describing the key scientific questions confront- In addition, Academy careerists participated in the ing the science community as each piece of evi- professional and personal destruction of promi- dence was discovered. nent scientists, such as the plant geneticist Nikolai The rest of this book uses the history of the sci- Vavilov. Even after the fall of Lysenko, his legacy entific discoveries of the ozone hole and associated continued to inflict damage on this elite institu- hypotheses to examine ongoing debates in the phi- tion. losophy of science. I found this part of the book to Birstein chronicles heroes as well as villains, be repetitive, as Christie reexamines the science notably academician Dmitrii Pryanishnikov. In findings about the ozone hole in light of different 1940, Pryanishnikov openly criticized Lysenko in past philosophical arguments about the scientific an effort to save Vavilov, a former pupil. This cou- process and the relationships among philosophy, rageous example is, however, rare among Birstein’s history, and science. For example, some philoso- innumerable case histories of state crime and pro- phers and historians of science see it as essentially fessional collusion in those crimes. These stories failure if a theory does not capture all that is later are both the book’s strength and its weakness, discovered, whereas I and most other scientists do mainly because of the author’s uncommonly dis- not see the early versions of theories as failures, but cursive style. His biographical detail nearly over- as important steps in understanding and accept whelms important observations about modern revisions to the theory as part of the progress of relationships between science and state. The book, science. In her discussion, Christie shows that she nevertheless, is valuable for contemplative scien- understands this difference in viewpoint and uses tists and teachers. the ozone analyses as a means for modifying the Joan Klobe Pratt, History, University of Northern philosophical perspective. Despite the repetitions, Colorado, Greeley, Colorado I did find much of this discussion interesting, although some of it is clearly aimed at the philosophy of science community. The Ozone Layer: A Philosophy of Science Donald J Wuebbles, Atmospheric Sciences, Univer- Perspective. sity of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois By Maureen Christie. Cambridge and New York: Cam- bridge University Press. $65.00 (hardcover); $23.00 p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-521- America’s Botanico-Medical Movements: VOX 215 ם paper). xii) 65072-0 (hc); 0-521-65908-6 (pb). 2000. POPULI. Perhaps I just spent too many years frustrated by By Alex Berman and Michael A Flannery. Pharma- my lack of athletic ability, but I found myself adapt- ceutical Products Press. Binghamton (New York): ing an old sporting adage usually applied to Haworth Press. $69.95 (hardcover); $24.95 :pl; ill.; index. ISBN 29 ם p 289 ם coaches or referees as I was reading this book. In (paper). xxiii this case, those that can do science do it, while 0-7890-0899-8 (hc); 0-7890-1235-9 (pb). 2001. those that cannot, philosophize about it. Nonethe- The botanico-medical movements in the United less, The Ozone Layer: A Philosophy of Science Perspec- States during the 19th century are expertly drawn tive, by Maureen Christie, a lecturer in philosophy together in this volume that makes order out of the of science at the University of Melbourne, is gen- “increasingly complex” situation that the succes- erally well written and does offer valuable insights sors of Thomsonianism created. After 1840, the as it examines how scientific thought and theory authors tell us, “[a]ffiliations and names change developed for a real and very important issue. rapidly; ephemeral botanic medical schools and The first 70 pages of the book provide an his- journals appear and vanish; local and national soci-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 312 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 eties succeed each other with kaleidoscopic speed; and uneasy alliances spring up between warring botanic factions” (p 69). The vicissitudes of the botanic sects—Thomsonians, Neo-Thomsonians, Eclectics, Physio-Medical physicians, and variations—their fundamental assumptions and empir- GENERAL BIOLOGY ical approach, their striving for and attainment of professional respectability, their fratricidal quar- Homology and Systematics: Coding Charac- rels, and their eventual decline, are spelled out in ters for Phylogenetic Analysis. Based on a sym- detail. posium held in Oxford, August 1997. The Systematics In a ﬁnal and most interesting chapter, Where Association Special Volume Series, Volume 58. Have All the Botanics Gone?, the authors bring Edited by Robert W Scotland and R Toby Pennington. the story up to the present. Although vestiges of London and New York: Taylor & Francis. $110.00. ם botanical movements continued well into the vii 217 p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-7484-0920-3. 20th century—Naturopathy can be viewed as a 2000. continuation of the movement even today and the This book is the result of a symposium of the First United States Pharmacopoeia has indicated a Biennial International Conference of the System- renewed interest in plant drugs—the decline in atics Association. The volume’s nine chapters and botanical medicine is traced primarily to the blos- a little over 200 pages address the issues of char- soming of the biological and medical sciences in acter coding and homology in cladistics. Most the late 19th century. The authors conclude with authors’ empirical interests are in plants or insects, an up-to-date account of the “current botani- and chapters deal with both molecular and mor- cism,” that is, the burgeoning of the popularity of phological data. Few chapters refer to literature “food supplements,” and suggest that the chal- beyond the date of the symposium, hence the lenge now facing the pharmaceutical sciences is material is quite dated in some cases. to turn herbalism into phytomedicine. There are Brower opens with a discussion of the develop- ten appendixes that include access to documents ment of the idea of homology in systematics since not readily unearthed such as a catalogue of the pre-Darwinian times, and couches his discussion in plants recommended by Samuel Thomson, and terms of de Pinna’s primary and secondary homol- the constitution of the American Physio-Medical ogy, as well as separates the development of Association. hypotheses of primary homology into stages. This volume derived from Berman’s 1954 dis- Viewed together, the following two chapters sertation at the University of Wisconsin (Berman (Hawkins; Forey and Kitching) represent a sober- died while this book was in press). In it, and in a ing message for morphological systematists. Haw- number of subsequent articles, he pointed out kins’s survey of the botanical literature for pri- that the history of “regular” medicine was only mary homology assessment in morphological data one side of the coin: there was a pervasive and matrices reveals that there is widespread variation popular “irregular” medicine during the 19th in the way that systematists code the same kind of century in the United States that required consid- observations. In other words, there are a number eration. The present volume, however, is a new of numerical codings used to represent the result book, as is readily evident from the thorough use of identical primary homology assessments. Haw- of the literature that has appeared since 1954. kins separates coding methods into conventional The last chapter, on the present-day scene, is pre- and nonconventional categories, and many of the sumably the work of the coauthor, Michael A Flan- nonconventional coding approaches have theo- nery (the author of a recent biography of John retical disadvantages. There is widespread use of Uri Lloyd). the multistate coding approach to inapplicable David L Cowen, History, Rutgers University, New character states, although this is not the most sat- Brunswick, New Jersey isfactory way to code these observations. Forey and Kitching show that two commonly used methods (one conventional and one nonconventional) produce quite different phylogenetic results. They advocate using a Sankoff matrix for characters that have different states and are both present and absent for the coded set of taxa. This method was not used by any systematists in Hawkins’s survey. Stevens discusses homology and character state deﬁnition in morphological and molecular data,

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 313 and uses an empirical example to show that over- ones). The book is written in the theorem proof lapping state data are less useful than nonoverlap- style that mathematicians will feel comfortable ping data in morphological studies. Wheeler’s with. There is very limited discussion of biological chapter relies on the notion that alignment and examples, and the structure is developed essen- tree length minimization should be conducted tially from a mathematical point of view. simultaneously as the best solution will rely on opti- The book covers the basic models of population mizing both simultaneously in a parsimony analy- growth in continuous and discrete time, but also sis. Alignment relies on maximizing similarity presents results with delays. For interacting species between sequences, and parsimony analysis relies models, simple harvesting as well as basic models on maximizing homology. This method is now are discussed. But these models are not well related implemented in POY. Ruddall shows that incon- biologically. The succinct and clear section on gruence between molecular and morphological mathematical epidemiology is one of the high- data can improve hypotheses of primary homology. lights of the book. A brief discussion of structured Weston discusses in depth the process morphology population models completes the volume. Two of Sattler, whose main contribution seems to be notable omissions are any consideration of spatial that structure is process, or that structures are part models, and of any of the modern statistical issues of a process of development. that arise. There are extensive problems through- The final two chapters deal with homology in out the text; these are all essentially mathematical terms of three-item analysis. A statement of taxic exercises. The very quantitatively oriented and homology can be broken down into its constituent mathematically well-prepared biologist who can parts with three taxon statements. This recoding of understand the mathematics presented here will the data can produce different results to those of find that the book does present advanced mathe- matrices coded in standard form. Although it is a matical ideas quite clearly. different way to code basic observations, these Alan Hastings, Environmental Science & Policy, chapters do not address the issue of whether it is a University of California, Davis, California better way. There are some editorial lapses. Thiele’s important contribution to this debate (1993. Cladistics Insects and Gardens: In Pursuit of a Garden 9(3):275–304) is referred to as (1993) in one chap- Ecology. ter and (1994) in another. In summary, it is diffi- By Eric Grissell; with photographs by Carll Goodpas- cult to recommend this book for purchase. Few of ture. Portland (Oregon): Timber Press. $29.95. 345 the chapters contain citations to the literature p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-88192-504-7. 2001. since 1997. Most of the important contributions in If you have been dousing your garden with insec- the book have been published elsewhere in journal ticides, Eric Grissell, a gardener and wasp system- articles. Forey and Kitching’s chapter is a notable atist, wants you to stop. He would prefer that you exception. turn off your electric bug killers and get rid of your David Yeates, Australian National Insect Collec- Japanese beetle traps, too. With regard to the traps, tion, CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, Australia which are baited with pheromones, he writes, “[s]ure, extend an invitation to the poor, homeless blighters and then make certain they never leave” Mathematical Models in Population Biology (p 280). This sensible and humane attitude per- and Epidemiology. Texts in Applied Mathematics, meates Insects and Gardens, the main thesis of which Volume 40. is that a “naturalistic” garden—one in which her- By Fred Brauer and Carlos Castillo-Cha´vez. New York: bivorous insects are kept in check by predatory and p; ill.; index. ISBN: parasitic insects—is easier to tend, healthier for the 416 ם Springer. $59.95. xxiii 0-387-98902-1. 2001. environment and, most importantly, a more inter- The role of mathematics in ecology and epidemi- esting space to inhabit than a garden drenched ology has had a long history, going back at least as with poisons. far as the pioneering work of Lotka, Volterra, and Of course, one would expect an entomologist to Kermack and McKendrick. The current volume promote insects, and Grissell, clearly an unabashed focuses on this interface between mathematics and enthusiast, does his best to convert entomophobes biology. The style and contents are definitely more into entomophiles. Having always been fond of appealing for the mathematician looking at bio- insects, I cannot judge whether he is likely to suc- logical applications of mathematics, than the biol- ceed, but I can say that readers will be entertained ogist looking for an introduction to mathematical and informed by Grissell’s effort. tools used in population biology or for a discussion Insects and Gardens begins with a review of basic of theoretical questions (rather than mathematical principles such as orders of insects, metamorpho-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 314 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 sis, reproduction, and feeding types. This infor- local government official, and does not imply per- mation serves as background for understanding sonal familiarity. the ecology of gardening, especially interactions Kemp discusses the popular icons that a few sci- between insects and plants and interactions of entists manage to become, although the conven- insects with each other. The emphasis throughout tional images of Albert Einstein and Charles Dar- is on encouraging the latter while not being over- win should remind one that famous scientists are whelmed by the former. Attitude is crucial, and almost always old and male. Only one woman, Grissell argues that insects will neither do “some Maria Sybilla Merian, caught my eye as having a unimaginable harm to the gardener” nor some chapter of her own; of the few women figured, only “inestimable harm to the garden” (p 283). A one of them (Leonardo’s Mona Lisa) has her diverse garden is crucial, too, because plant diver- clothes on. There are very few youngsters in this sity promotes insect diversity, and insect diversity is book, although most of the scientists familiar to us essential for the “matrix of behavioral interactions” as seniors made their great discoveries when (p 224) that keep ecosystems and gardens in bal- young. ance. Every gardener should absorb and practice As a collection of discourses, this is a fine book this message. for the bedside. It may gather some artistic readers Carll Goodpasture’s photographs are the perfect who will find out something about science. But complement to the text, presenting the insect Kemp’s book does not break down barriers, for the world as we have never seen it: my favorites include choice of people and places tends to reinforce a caterpillar emerging from an egg and a beetle many of the most outdated stereotypes. Although poised on a stem as if planning to fly to the moon he wanders freely through an eclectic selection of that hovers in the background. images and ideas, he could perhaps have done more to explore new ground. Janice E Bowers, U.S. Geological Survey, Tucson, Brian J Ford, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom Arizona

This Incomparable Land: A Guide to American Nature Writing. By Thomas J Lyon. Minneapolis (Minnesota): Milk- p; no 277 ם weed Editions. $18.95 (paper). xii index. ISBN: 1-57131-256-0. 2001. FOR TYROS & LAICS Anyone interested in nature writing will appreciate this guide. The volume is an ideal resource for any- Visualizations: The NATURE Book of Art and one planning a course in nature writing or seeking Science. a history or annotated bibliography of essays and By Martin Kemp. Berkeley (California): University of nonfiction nature writing. ם California Press. $35.00. xv 202 p; ill.; index. The guide opens with a delightfully idiosyncratic ISBN: 0-520-22352-7. 2000. chronology of events from 1492 to 2000, starting This book is a compilation, for each chapter began with a quotation associated with Columbus’s land- life as a popular article in Nature. Kemp has no ing in the Bahamas, and ending with notes on pub- central theme, for the idea seems to be to set in lication events, the world’s population, fires in the juxtaposition the speculations and some of the western U.S., and the death of a key environmental facts that an art historian likes to retell. A selection leader in the year 2000. Following the chronology of pictures decorates each short article, every one is a taxonomy of nature writing. This taxonomy is bearing a contrived and alliterative title. When it is based on the extent to which writings include facts Kepler’s cosmos we may smile indulgently, but about natural history, personal commentary, or Goldsworthy’s genera makes one frown a little, philosophical perspective. To illustrate the taxon- while Onwin’s holistics makes you grimace at an omy, Lyon presents a table with examples of nature idea carried too far. writing in the following categories: field guides; Sometimes the disciplinary gap between art and natural history essays; rambles; solitude and back- science is not satisfactorily bridged. Thus, Kemp country living; travel and adventure; farm life; and speculates on conversations between Vermeer and man’s role in nature. Leeuwenhoek, heedless of the latter’s famous insu- Several chapters (about one-third of the book) larity. A presumed social link between the two men set the context and review the history of nature customarily arises from the fact that Leeuwenhoek writing (The American Setting; Beginnings; The was executor to the young Vermeer’s will, but this Age of Thoreau, Muir, and Burroughs; and The is likely because of Leeuwenhoek’s position as a Twentieth Century). For those of us unfamiliar

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 315 with the field of nature writing, these chapters do ogy, as well as various aspects of the paleobiology an excellent job of providing perspective. The bulk of the group. Although taking up less than half of of the book (over half of the pages) is devoted to the volume, these chapters that focus on the dif- a two-part annotated bibliography. The first section ferent dinosaurian groups are quite well done. represents the author’s choice of essays about nat- The volume, however, misses an important oppor- ural history or the experience of nature (ranging tunity to present how evolutionary relationships from wilderness to farm life). The second section among organisms (both extinct and living) can be lists philosophical essays, literary criticism, histo- determined. The use of cladistics is now a mainstay ries, anthologies, and scholarly works. in much of biology, no more so than in the most This is a valuable resource for anyone interested active areas of dinosaur research, that of the origin in an overview of the best in American nature writ- of birds. Unfortunately, nowhere in the book is ing. there discussion of how characters are selected in Marty Condon, Biology, Cornell College, Mount cladistics, the hierarchical nature of homology, and Vernon, Iowa the ways in which tree topologies can be tested. Given the other hands-on approaches presented in Martin’s book, it would also have been appropriate to introduce these powerful tools of cladistics. I was particularly surprised that there is a complete lack of bibliography and appropriate citations of primary research in this book, such that PALEONTOLOGY students do not have a direct contact with where the ideas and research originally came from. In Introduction to the Study of Dinosaurs. their place are references to websites where it By Anthony J Martin. Malden (Massachusetts): Black- might be possible to make cyber-connections to p; ill.; original references. Unfortunately, there is no 426 ם well Science. $74.95 (paper). xiv index. ISBN: 0-632-04436-5. 2001. guarantee that this is true, as I learned when I Many dinosaur books of late begin with the refrain, unsuccessfully tried to relate particular passages in “do we need another book on dinosaurs?” Indeed, the book with citations on the Web to the original I have coauthored one that starts this way, as has studies. Woe to all of us if this is going to be a con- A J Martin in his book, Introduction to the Study of tinued trend. Dinosaurs. Apparently the answer is “yes,” especially Finally, the most disappointing aspect of the given the increasing number of undergraduate sci- Martin book is the lack of decent illustrations. ence courses tailored for nonscience majors. These Given that this volume is devoted to very “photo- are often turned into bread-and-butter courses by genic” subjects, there are too few figures and those both geology and biology departments, yielding that exist are limited to less than half a page or to greater Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs), and hence the margins, making it very difficult to read the more awareness and support from the Dean’s labels. Office. What could be better—a popular class on Introduction to the Study of Dinosaurs succeeds in exciting animals (they were in the movies, after being a reasonably good textbook for undergrad- all), and it will be easy. uate science courses for nonscience majors. It has So how does Martin’s book stack up? First, it a way to go, however, before it can be considered amply demonstrates that excitement about the nat- a major contribution at this level. ural world and the science used to understand it David B Weishampel, Center for Functional Anat- can be combined under the guise of dinosaurs and omy & Evolution, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins the research that has been conducted on them. For University, Baltimore, Maryland example, much of the volume is organized around questions on how the past (deep time) can be understood through the introduction of the phys- The Armored Dinosaurs. Life of the Past. ics of body weight, stratigraphic succession and By Kenneth Carpenter. Bloomington (Indiana): Indi- ;.p; ill 526 ם radiometric dating, nasal cavity size and resonance, ana University Press. $75.00. xv the physics of head butting, and the potential for index. ISBN: 0-253-33964-2. 2001. transport in streams as a function of buoyancy. Few dinosaurs rival the spiky stegosaurs and knobby These are excellent ways to focus on numerical ankylosaurs for sheer oddness, and their dermal approaches to the life and times of dinosaurs. In exuberance has fostered some wild paleobiological addition, Martin’s handling of the dinosaurs them- speculation. The armored dinosaurs, including selves includes discussion of each major group, a these two groups and a few basal members of their treatment of within-clade evolutionary relation- common group Thyreophora, have received less sci- ships with the features that provide the tree topol- entific attention than is their due, and this collec-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 316 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 tion of papers attempts to correct this imbalance. unique perspective paleontology brings to the Here 29 authors present 21 papers on the history of study of ecology and evolution. Since the first vol- study, jaw function, pathology, development, ich- ume in 1975, the journal has been the leading nology, scatology, phylogeny and, predominantly, paleontological publication that deals with theo- descriptive morphology of armored dinosaurs, in retical issues. In fact, its original genesis was in three taxonomic sections: Thyreophora (two chap- the edited volume, Models in Paleobiology (TJM ters), Stegosauria (five chapters), and Ankylosauria Schopf. 1972. San Francisco (CA): Freeman, Coo- (14 chapters). per), which contains the most frequently cited This useful compendium of papers will excite modern paleontological paper—Punctuated equi- informed readers but, unfortunately the Table of libria: an alternative to phyletic gradualism, by Contents and Index are the only tools provided by Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould. the editor to assist uninitiated readers in seeing the Paper topics in Deep Time primarily focus on forest through the trees. There is no preface to the invertebrate paleontology (12 papers), with paleo- volume or the individual sections other than a botany (two papers) and vertebrate paleontology charming biographical dedication to ankylosaur (one paper) figuring less prominently, although pioneer Walter Coombs, and the volume consists some of the chapters do contain overlap across solely of highly specialized articles. Two well-written these three broad paleontological disciplines. It historical chapters on the initial interpretation of would have been nice to have had at least one more thyreophorans discovered in the late 19th century paper that dealt specifically with vertebrate evolu- will appeal to general readers, but the only broadly synthetic chapters are a useful summary of ankylo- tion and phylogeny from a paleontological per- saur footprint occurrences and a somewhat flawed spective. phylogenetic analysis of ankylosaurs. Geographic There are some fine contributions in this vol- coverage is broad, but favors non-Asian forms, and ume. Chief among these are the ones on biomo- there is little on their geological milieu. Illustrations lecular paleontology of continental fossils (Briggs are plentiful, but vary widely in quality, from well-lit et al.) and on directionality in the history of life stereophotographs of exquisite specimens to dark, (Knoll and Bambach). Plotnick and Baumiller also out-of-focus photographs of black lumps. Taxo- have a fine paper on functional analysis of fossils, nomic treatment is generally at the alpha level, and and Shubin and Marshall provide an interesting no systematic revisions of higher groups are pre- chapter on fossils, genes, and the origin of novelty. sented. The phylogenetic analysis provides some In addition, Foote’s paper on taxonomic diversity important observations, but its utility is hampered will be an important reference on the topic of by the designation of only the derived character quantifying speciation and extinction rates in the states, the use of supraspecific terminal taxa, and the fossil record, although surely not the last word on independent analysis of four groups of taxa. The this subject. Finally, the paleobotanical chapters on latter procedure was inspired by a paper by Vermeij modeling plant form (Niklas) and plant commu- that was heavily criticized for limiting global parsi- nity changes in response to Quaternary environ- mony (see Paleobiology 27(1):179–180). mental oscillations ( Jackson and Overpeck) also In summary, this volume will be most useful to appear particularly well chosen: a testimony to those whose interest in dinosaurs knows no bounds, Scott Wing’s successful tenure as coeditor of Paleo- but it is not an ideal reference for nonspecialists. biology. James M Clark, Biological Sciences, George Wash- One of my disappointments about this volume ington University, Washington DC reflects those authors whose work was not included. Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould should definitely have been asked to author a Deep Time: Paleobiology’s Perspective. A special paper because of their stature in the field and also volume commemorating the 25th anniversary of the jour- because of the important role their punctuated nal Paleobiology. equilibria hypothesis played in the genesis of the Edited by Douglas H Erwin and Scott L Wing. Pub- lished by The Paleontological Society, Lawrence (Kan- journal Paleobiology. Another disappointment is sas); distributed by the University of Chicago Press, Chi- that for those chapters that deal with the inverte- cago (Illinois). $60.00 (hardcover); $25.00 (paper). brate side of paleontology there is perhaps a pre- p; ill.; no index. ISBN: 0-9677554-2-5 ponderance of papers by authors from only one 373 ם vi (hc); 0-9677554-3-3 (pb). [Supplement to Volume school of thought; if this scope had been broad- 26, Number 4 of the journal Paleobiology.] 2000. ened it might have been beneficial. This is an edited volume of 15 papers that was Bruce S Lieberman, Geology and Ecology & Evo- published to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the lutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, journal Paleobiology. Its name is derived from the Kansas

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 317

provided. For example, many chapters include useful figures or diagrams of the methods and relevant machinery, as well as detailed protocols and trou- bleshooting suggestions, while others are restricted to generalities or focus on a single example using the given technique. In any case, comprehensive MOLECULAR BIOLOGY bibliographies are available at the end of each chapter for further reference. Protein-Protein Interactions: A Molecular This book will assist investigators in deciding Cloning Manual. which approaches are most relevant for studying Edited by Erica Golemis. Cold Spring Harbor (New their favorite protein-protein interactions. Undoubt- York): Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. $205.00 edly, the background overviews, introductory pro- p; ill.; tocols, and bibliographic references will get them 682 ם hardcover); $135.00 (paper). ix) index. ISBN: 0-87969-604-4 (hc); 0-87969-628-1 started in the right direction. (pb). 2002. Marissa Vignali and Victoria Brown- This new volume covers a wide range of techniques Kennerly, Genome Sciences, University of Washing- currently used in the field of protein-protein inter- ton, Seattle, Washington actions. Due to space constraints, the editor has chosen to exclude classic biochemical approaches to study proteins such as Western blotting, subcel- Endocytosis. Frontiers in Molecular Biology, Volume 36. lular fractionation, chromatography, differential Edited by Mark Marsh. Oxford and New York: Oxford centrifugation, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, University Press. $120.00 (hardcover); $65.00 :pl; ill.; index. ISBN 5 ם p 283 ם enzyme-linked immunoadsorbant assay, and immu- (paper). xxi noflourescence microscopy. 0-19-963852-7 (hc); 0-19-963851-9 (pb). 2001. The chapters in Section 1 illustrate the importance of protein-protein interactions by describing specific techniques that have been applied to par- Mobile DNA II. ticular biological problems. The second section Edited by Nancy L Craig, Robert Craigie, Martin Gel- deals with well-established biochemical and genetic lert, and Alan M Lambowitz. Washington (DC): ASM .pl; ill.; index 49 ם p 1204 ם approaches used to study protein-protein interac- Press. $169.95. xviii tions, including far-Western and Glutathione-S- ISBN: 1-55581-209-0. 2002. Transferase (GST)-pull down assays, coimmuno- Since Mobil DNA was published in 1989 (Washing- precipitation, chemical protein cross-linking, basic ton (DC): American Society for Microbiology), the yeast and bacterial two-hybrid systems, phage dis- field has exploded with new discoveries. Transpos- play, and a suppressor-hunt screen. Section 3 able DNAs have been used in gene therapy. Gen- focuses on biophysical methods: fluorescence res- omewide views of the propagation of mobile DNAs onance energy transfer microscopy, green fluores- and their impact on genome evolution are now rec- cent protein proximity imaging, mass spectrome- ognized. Several new superfamilies of transposons try, atomic force microscopy, surface plasmon have been identified. Over 90 experts have con- resonance, and quartz crystal microbalance. The tributed to this volume. fourth section is the major component of the book, and groups a wide assortment of techniques. Top- ics described include protein purification by tan- dem affinity or by specific peptide-fusions, several variations of the basic two-component protein interaction assays, and an assortment of novel developments such as peptide aptamers, catalytic CELLULAR BIOLOGY antibodies, and ribosome display. The final section explores computational approaches used to han- Mechanics of Motor Proteins and the Cyto- dle and represent large protein-interaction data skeleton. sets, and provides useful information regarding By Jonathon Howard. Sunderland (Massachusetts): .p; ill.; index 367 ם currently available databases and visualization Sinauer Associates. $59.95. xvi tools. ISBN: 0-87893-334-4. 2001. In general, the majority of the chapters provide Admittedly, in the counterintuitive nanoworld of excellent reviews and relevant background infor- cells and macromolecules, much of the physics that mation on the topics covered. In contrast, they vary biologists and biochemists were taught is plainly quite a bit in the amount of experimental detail irrelevant. Even worse, most of what we actually

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 318 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 need to know lies buried in advanced textbooks orous approaches are demanded if we are to further visited mainly by engineers. To the beating tail of expand our understanding of the cytoskeleton and a spermatozoon or a moving anaphase chromo- its motor proteins. Howard reminds us just how some—whose world is dominated by viscous, not much more, and how to frame the questions clearly. ma, but it This volume would serve as an extremely useful ס inertial forces—it may be true that F simply does not matter. How then are we to under- textbook for an advanced course in the biophysics stand the world of proteins? Based on their struc- of macromolecules. It may also find use in a variety tural properties, how should we expect them to of upper-level courses in the biochemistry and behave in the cell? molecular biology of the cell. But for anyone who Howard’s book addresses these questions for the labors in the fields of cell motility and the cytoske- proteins of the cytoskeleton, which confer upon leton, this volume is both an immensely worthwhile the cell its structure, shape, and ability to move. read and a fine biophysics reference to have on the The past few years have presented this field with shelf. Readers need not retain the partial differ- an embarrassment of riches: the elucidation of a entials; if you have scribbled adequately in the mar- vast diversity of cytoskeletal and motor proteins, gins, you will soon be pulling it down and locating extending to families and superfamilies of related the information that you need in order to recog- proteins, along with the determination of the high nize and then dismiss one piece of “intuitive” non- resolution structure of a number of the major pro- sense or another. teins. The morass of molecular detail now tempts Peter J Hollenbeck, Biology, Purdue University, us to wade in and hunt for meaning by analyzing West Lafayette, Indiana DNA and amino acid sequences. This book plots a different way forward. Howard explicates quantitatively the general mechanical properties of the Basic Cell Culture: A Practical Approach. Sec- cytoskeleton and its motor proteins, and shows ond Edition. The Practical Approach Series, Volume 254. how to use this knowledge both to probe the cyto- Edited by J M Davis. Oxford and New York: Oxford skeleton productively, and to explain the larger University Press. $120.00 (hardcover); $60.00 ם properties of cells. (paper). xxv 381 p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-19- The book begins with a lengthy section that 963854-3 (hc); 0-19-963853-5 (pb). 2002. develops, from the ground up, the physical and mechanical principles that are necessary to understand how macromolecules behave. In addition to Excitatory Amino Acids: Ten Years Later. Based on a meeting held in Manaus, Brazil, 18–22 November viscous forces, a number of other essential con- 1998. Biomedical and Health Research, Volume 45. cepts are treated, including diffusion, damping, Edited by L Turski, D D Schoepp, and E A Cavalheiro. chemical forces, and the mechanical properties of Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Washington (DC): polymers. Although there are patches of tough sled- :p; ill.; index. ISBN 346 ם IOS Press. $100.00. viii ding for those of us whose calculus has grown rusty 1-58603-072-8. 2001. with disuse, the effort is well worthwhile. For the most part, the author has used a level of mathematical detail appropriate to his goals, while leaving the bloody-minded to delve into the appendixes for the finer points. Following this groundwork, the two remaining parts of the book apply quantitative physical principles to the mechanical properties of GENETICS & EVOLUTION the cytoskeleton and the behavior of motor proteins. Both parts build nicely on the introductory The Book of Life: An Illustrated History of material and illuminate the major advances and the Evolution of Life on Earth. remaining problems in the field. Perhaps the latter General Editor: Stephen Jay Gould; Contributing Sci- are the more useful. It is easy now, years after the entists and Illustrators: Peter Andrews, John Barber, first successful assembly of cytoskeletal filaments in Michael Benton, Marianne Collins, Christine Janis, Ely the test tube, to forget that there is still much to be Kish, Akio Morishima, J John Sepkoski, Jr, Christopher learned about how a pool of tiny protein subunits Stringer, and Jean-Paul Tibbles. New York: W. W. Nor- 256 ם can polymerize into organized structures spanning ton. $45.00 (hardcover); $29.95 (paper). v the cell. And likewise, decades after the accession of p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-393-05003-3 (hc); 0-393- the rotating crossbridge model of motor protein 32156-8 (pb). 2001. action, we are often guilty of lapsing into cartoon- Why reissue a book on the evolution of life that was like explanations of motor proteins that are macro- published nearly a decade ago? The editor asks this scopically intuitive—and therefore wrong. More rig- question in the new introductory chapter. His

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 319 answer is that the book is terrific and that the Gould concludes (p 5), and some readers may story has not changed much in ten years. He is reluctantly agree. It is a difficult assignment. partly right. The book is terrific in lots of ways. Kevin Padian, Integrative Biology and Museum of The contributors are experts in their fields and Paleontology, University of California, Berkeley, Cali- great writers: the late Stephen Jay Gould (recon- fornia structing the past), the late Jack Sepkoski (evolution of marine life), Michael Benton (life and time, and all the nonmammalian vertebrates), From Genesis to Genetics: The Case of Evo- Christine Janis (mammalian evolution), and Peter lution and Creationism. Andrews and Christopher Stringer (Primates) pro- By John A Moore. Berkeley (California): University of .p; ill.; index 223 ם duced engaging chapters with lively insights and California Press. $27.50. xvi crisp summaries of groups, ages, and events that ISBN: 0-520-22441-8. 2002. are usually difficult to epitomize. The lavish illus- In the increasingly contentious debates between trations include first-rate graphics and fulsome science and religion, this book is refreshingly dis- paintings of prehistoric life that range from accu- passionate—a largely historical overview of a broad rate and evocative to wooden and cartoonish. This sweep of subjects related to the evolution and crea- is the sort of book, such as Richard Cowen’s History tion controversies. Prefacing the text with the of Life (Third Edition. 2000. Malden (MA): Black- observation that the teaching of evolution serves well Science) that you would want to give to friends as a litmus test for the rigor of scientific education, curious about what we generally know about the the author then describes several examples in past and how we know it (although Cowen’s vol- which “two immiscible patterns of thought” (p 4) ume is probably better overall). are in conflict. These differences in world-view But what of Gould’s second question? Has the include disputes between anthropologists and story of life changed much since 1993? Gould Native Americans over the Kennewick Man, mentions some examples, such as Precambrian between human rights advocates and the Taliban bilaterian embryos, more evidence about the about the role of women in society and, yes, “Cambrian Explosion,” the early history of verte- between scientists and creationists over the teach- brates, and the origin of whales, in his new intro- ing of the theory of evolution. In this context, the duction. But maybe that is not the point. He goes author examines early human history and the ori- on to lament his book’s possible shortcomings: it gins of the Bible, particularly in regard to the two inevitably proceeds chronologically, and it pres- creation stories found in modern versions of Gen- ents groups along the traditional “ladder of life,” esis. Subsequently, Darwin, his scientific predeces- so that groups introduced earlier in the chronol- sors and contemporaries, and his theory of evolu- ogy are more or less forgotten later on. A new tion are introduced. Following an historical final chapter, he adds, might have been a discus- chronology, data and observations that support sion of modern bacteria. Darwin’s theory are reviewed for the balance of the Well, maybe so. But a scala naturae approach 19th and 20th centuries, including the theory of would have been better avoided by some incorpo- genetics, models of speciation, and hypotheses for ration of phylogenetic advances. In this book, the origin of life and the origin of human beings. fishes are things that swim in the water, amphibians Finally, the history of 20th-century conflicts are tetrapods that are not reptiles (regardless of between scientists and creationists over the teach- whether they are closer to living amphibians or living of evolution in the United States is outlined. ing amniotes), and reptiles are things that are not mammals or birds. So, of course, readers get the With such a broad range of topics, some sense of a stepwise progression toward humans omissions and inconsistencies are inevitable. For (the last chapter, no surprise) instead of the example, no mention is made of recent investi- branching bush that Gould describes so often in gations of the postglacial flooding of the Black his works. Sea and the role that this may have played in flood A strong theme of the book is the continual epics, e.g., in Genesis and the Epic of Gilgamesh. recurrence to geological and climatic changes that Several “icons” of evolution (e.g., the peppered accompany the history of life. Unfortunately, inver- moth and Stanley Miller’s experiments) are pre- tebrates are largely omitted after the first chapter, sented uncritically and without further elaboration and plants are treated less as organisms than as just and qualification. The evolution of increasing com- part of the scenery, fodder, and substrate for the plexity is frequently emphasized, while examples to animals. Is only fine-tuning needed, or will the new the contrary (e.g., parasites such as amitochon- millennium bring a new way of describing the his- driate eukaryotes) are not stressed. A strict view of tory of life? “I do not know the best way for telling creation according to Genesis is criticized because this most wonderful and intricate of all stories,” “[i]t provides no acceptable explanation for the

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 320 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 remarkable biochemical similarities in the cells of Barash draws on a diverse array of scientific, microorganisms, plants, and animals, for the uni- medical, philosophical, and literature resources to versality of the genetic code, for the peculiarities review how genes may influence behavior, ranging of the geographic distribution of species, for the from social cohesiveness among bees and ants to basic structure of major groups of organisms and human nepotism and extramarital sex. As the the variations shown in the individual species in the author acknowledges, arguments presented with group, or for the cycles of life that maintain a respect to the broad spectrum of human behaviors, rough biological and chemical equilibrium in the although persuasive, rest on tenuous grounds. environment” (p 52). Nevertheless, later the obvi- Human genes whose functions have been conclu- ous creationist rejoinder is pointed out in another sively identified are relatively few in number. More context: “All vertebrates are constructed on the troubling are the difficulties encountered with same general plan, that is, they are variations on regard to the citation of research studies. In the first the vertebrate theme. This astonishing observation chapter, two studies are cited that purported to iden- could be explained as the consequence of divine tify the gene for risk taking, “novelty-seeking” behav- creation: the Creator made all the vertebrates as ior in human beings. The author states that these variations on one basic theme” (p 83). studies provided the “first example of an identified The discussion of the new creationism—intelli- human gene concerned with a normal behavioral gent design (ID) theory—could have been stronger. predisposition. . . . Almost certainly, it will not be The author correctly links this theory with William the last” (p 29). In the chapter’s footnotes, how- Paley’s centuries-old views, but does not emphasize ever, the author acknowledges that “a different that ID theory focuses on the most recently char- team of researchers was unable to replicate its find- acterized natural histories—biochemistry and ings” (p 35), and that the initial results may have molecular biology. The author then writes: “I.D. been “in error” (p 35). It is reasonable to question creationists believe that some things about organ- why this later study was not acknowledged and dis- isms are so complex that they are not just unknown cussed within the body of the chapter. Although but ultimately unknowable and, hence, are the work this appears to be an isolated incident, it creates of an Intelligent Designer” (p 180). This is some- an atmosphere of skepticism in which readers may what misleading. Rather than suggesting that molec- feel compelled to review the footnotes of each ular and biochemical mechanisms cannot be char- chapter in order to determine the credibility of the acterized, ID theory argues that such “irreducibly human genetic studies. This criticism aside, the complex” mechanisms could not have evolved. author has provided an entertaining, informative, There is little in From Genesis to Genetics to counter and provocative resource. this view. Generally, the broad sweep of this volume Neil F Sharpe, Genetic Testing Research Group, and the historical and social context make it well Hamilton, Ontario, Canada worth reading for both scientists and nonscientists. In this way, From Genesis to Genetics will lead to more Genes & Signals. miscible patterns of thought from all those con- By Mark Ptashne and Alexander Gann. Cold Spring cerned about science education. Harbor (New York): Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Neil W Blackstone, Biological Sciences, Northern ם Press. $59.00 (hardcover); $39.00 (paper). xvi Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 192 p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-87969-631-1 (hc); 0- 87969-633-8 (pb). 2002. This is a delightful book that provides an insightful Revolutionary Biology: The New, Gene-Centered view of our current understanding of how gene View of Life. expression is regulated. Beginning with gene By David P Barash. New Brunswick (New Jersey): expression in prokaryotic systems, the authors ם Transaction Publishers. $29.95. vii 213 p; index. present basic principles, using experimental exam- ISBN: 0-7658-0067-5. 2001. ples from phage lambda and E. coli. They then Any book that purports to answer fundamental move on to genetic systems with increasing com- questions such as “what is the meaning of life?” plexity in yeast and higher eukaryotes. What is very and “why are we here?” deserves close attention. nice about this book is that the authors successfully For the most part, Revolutionary Biology does not extract experimentally defined principles that reg- disappoint. The book is separated into seven ulate gene expression, and build upon these to chapters—Revolutionary Biology: The Family Face; make readers comfortable with higher levels of Altruism: Theory and Animals; Human Altruism; complexity. For example, the theme of transcrip- Reciprocity: Doing unto Others; Parenting, Adop- tional regulation by binding of a multidomain pro- tion and Step-Parenting; Conflict between Parents tein to DNA and to a transcriptional activator is and Offspring; and To Whatever Abyss. built upon throughout the book until one reaches

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 321 the complexities defining combinatorial regula- on paralogues of sex-determining genes, is by the tion of promoters in higher eukaryotes. late Susumu Ohno, to whose memory the book is Genes & Signals is comprised of four chapters on dedicated. prokaryotes, yeast, and higher eukaryotes, with a In his important review of Sry, the Y-chromosomal final chapter directed toward integrating cell sig- gene that triggers male development in mammals, naling with transcriptional control. The book is and the related Sox9 gene, which is also required ambitious in scope, but retains its clarity by incor- for male development, Koopman discusses their porating basic principles that are supplemented relationship with about a dozen other genes and with well-illustrated figures and more detailed dis- concludes that the description of sex determina- cussions of topics in boxes and footnotes. Refer- tion as a pathway is hopelessly inadequate and that ences for further reading are given at the end of we are dealing with a complex network (p 47). By each chapter. This book will be useful for students virtue of its presence in one sex only, Sry is con- who are grappling for the first time with gene fined to mammals, but Sox9 and other genes expression, but perhaps is even more informative involved in the sex-determining process are also for scientists, like myself, who work outside the field found in other vertebrates. Sry is present in mar- of transcriptional regulation, but who can greatly supials but not apparently in monotremes. The benefit from a clear understanding of the state of contribution by Pask and Graves provides a fasci- the field. Having read this volume, one can jump nating picture, based on findings in these two into the dense thicket of papers describing tran- mammalian subclasses, of the evolution of the scriptional regulators and signaling pathways with a mammalian X- and Y-chromosomes from an origi- basic understanding of the principles underlying nal autosomal pair. this exciting work. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this Avian sex chromosomes, ZZ in males and ZW in book and highly recommend it. females, are derived from a different autosome Mary Collins, Musculoskeletal Sciences, Wyeth pair. As pointed out by Clinton and Haines, avian Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts gonads are more plastic than those of (eutherian) mammals, their development being also influenced by steroid hormones and laterality. Oestrogens play Genes and Mechanisms in Vertebrate Sex Deter- an important role in the differentiation of the ovary mination. EXS, Volume 91. also in turtles, crocodilians, and lizards, whose sex Edited by G Scherer and M Schmid. Basel and Boston: is determined by the temperature of incubation dur- p; ill.; index. ing a critical period of development, referred to as 205 ם Birkhaüser Verlag. DM 196. xii ISBN: 3-7643-6168-9. 2001. the “temperature-sensitive period” (TSP); but it can During the past 30 years, a major scientific effort be seen from the diagram on page 122 that even was expended in elucidating the molecular mech- before TSP, the gonadal protein contents of Emys anism underlying the mammalian sex chromo- orbicularis, the European freshwater turtle, is higher some mechanism. This has resulted in the discov- at male- than at female-producing temperatures. ery of a number of genes with important functions Baroiller and Guiguen have alluded to the relation- in the process of male sex determination. Some- ship between water temperature and growth rates in what paradoxically, in the same period, evidence fish (pp 178 and 192). accumulated that many reptiles lack sex chromo- Although some of the genes involved in mam- somes, and that sexual development in these spe- malian sex determination have also been found in cies depends on environmental variables, of which other vertebrates, their function remains unknown. temperature of incubation seems to be the most It may be worth reversing the quest and explaining important. In the wake of these findings, there is mammalian sex determination by concentrating on now increasing interest in comparisons between the effects of temperature on the dynamics of the sex-determining mechanism of mammals and growth in poikilothermic vertebrates, who are the those of other vertebrates. The changing scientific antecedents of mammals and birds. picture is reflected in the composition of this book. Ursula Mittwoch, Biology, University College The reptilian contribution, by Pieau et al., is con- London, London, United Kingdom fined to temperature-dependent sex determination, but the sex chromosomes of snakes are briefly described in the chapter on Amphibia by Schmid The Cooperative Gene: How Mendel’s Demon and Steinlein. Evidence from Amphibia suggests Explains the Evolution of Complex Beings. that changes in repetitive DNA may precede the By Mark Ridley. New York: The Free Press. $26.00. xii .p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-7432-0161-2. 2001 324 ם -evolution of morphologically distinct sex chromo somes. The chapter on fish, by Baroiller and Gui- The theme of this book is that sexual reproduction guen, concentrates on endocrine and environmen- and Mendelian inheritance are a necessary condi- tal sex differentiation. The introductory chapter, tion for the evolution of complex, multicellular

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 322 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 organisms. The book is aimed at people who are ers would desire for personal purchase. The prob- not trained as biologists, and adopts the breathless lem set by the authors, one of whom (Orel) is the style that is currently fashionable for popular former head of the Mendelianum in Brno, is works. Ridley has chosen a major theme that will whether Gregor Mendel and the work that led him be of broad interest. Given the fact that much of to his laws of heredity came from nowhere, or what he says is based on population genetic mod- whether there was a long and rich tradition into els, he relies skillfully on ingenious, but sometimes which he was tapping and the culmination of which convoluted, verbal analogies to convey his major he represented. The authors argue that there was points. such a tradition, that in fact much was known about The argument boils down to the following: First, breeding before Mendel (especially in the realm of life originated early in evolution, but multicellular sheep improvement) and with care and a lot of life came very late. Ridley claims that this means documentation they set about making their case. that the evolution of life is probable, but complex From early breeding in Spain we move to life is improbable. This logic seems shaky, as prob- England, to the British Midlands in particular, and abilities cannot be inferred from single trials. Sec- more attention is paid to the innovative animal ond, complex organisms need large genomes, breeder, the 18th-century farmer, Robert Bakewell which imply high deleterious mutation rates and of Leicestershire. From there we proceed with hence high genetic loads, which threaten them Merino sheep to the continent, and eventually with extinction. Sexual reproduction overcomes move across toward the east of Germany and the this problem, since synergistic epistasis can greatly Austrian Empire (which is where Mendel’s mon- reduce the mutational load. Third, sex allows self- astery was located). We then start to see how breed- ish genetic elements to subvert Mendelian ratios, ing transfers from the practical farmers to the and undermine individual fitness. The reshuffling more theoretically inclined scientists, as people of genes by genetic recombination allows these to start to wonder how exactly features are transmit- be suppressed. Hence, Mendelian inheritance with ted from one generation to the next. Finally, we relatively free recombination is necessary both for move right up to the time and place of Mendel the evolution of complex life and for its continuing himself, and although it is stressed that people survival. Various other issues, such as the evolution then knew much about breeding and could make of two sexes and genetic imprinting, are discussed good predictions, the actual laws governing trans- along the way. mission were still hidden from sight. I am not convinced by all of this. Ridley tends to In other words, Mendel did belong to a rich tra- overlook alternatives to the possibilities he dis- dition, but the glory of discovery was properly his cusses; for example, could selection for reduced alone. It is good to have such a thorough and sen- mutation rates be effective in reducing any prob- sible treatment of an area of practical biology that lem from mutational load for the survival of asex- was clearly of importance to the development of ual complex organisms? He never mentions Mul- the genetics which we hold and know today. ler’s ratchet, which is a strong candidate for Michael Ruse, Philosophy, Florida State University, causing the mutation-driven extinction of asexual Tallahassee, Florida higher organisms. In addition, there is a consistent tendency to present speculative ideas as established facts (e.g., the organelle conflict model of the ori- Faunal and Floral Migrations and Evolution gin of anisogamy). The professional will be disap- in SE Asia-Australasia. pointed by the lack of a balanced treatment of many key issues. I suspect that laics may be baffled By Ian Metcalfe, Jeremy M B Smith, Mike Morwood, by the complexity of many of the issues discussed. and Iain Davidson. Rotterdam (The Netherlands): Brian Charlesworth, Institute for Cell, Animal A. A. Balkema. $130.00. 416 p; ill.; no index. & Population Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edin- ISBN: 90-5809-349-2. 2000. burgh, United Kingdom The islands of eastern Indonesia hold a special fascination for biogeographers and evolutionary biologists. It was here in the 1850s that Alfred Genetic Prehistory in Selective Breeding: A Russel Wallace identified the remarkable disjunc- Prelude to Mendel. tion between faunas of the Asiatic and Australian By Roger J Wood and Vı´teˇzslav Orel. Oxford and New regions. Wallace also recognized that to under- p; stand patterns of species distribution it requires 323 ם York: Oxford University Press. $85.00. xvii ill.; index. ISBN: 0-19-850584-1. 2001. knowledge of a region’s geological history. Our This is a really useful and interesting book, well understanding of geological processes has worth ordering for a college library, although I advanced significantly since Wallace traveled the think it is more specialized than most general read- Malay Archipelago, and this volume presents a use-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 323 ful overview of the current state of knowledge diversity in situ to the furthest extent possible. The about evolutionary processes and biogeography in current book begins by outlining these issues, and Southeast Asia and Australasia. encourages “pure” scientists to become more The book is a compilation of 31 papers separated involved with the debates, which are already well into six sections. The first section contains two represented by corporate (financial) interests. The excellent papers that describe tectonic evolution primary goal of this short volume is, however, to and changing configurations of land and sea in the present the first coordinated effort (to my knowl- region, and these provide a useful geological edge) to summarize legislation governing access to framework for most other chapters. Section 2 (five genetic resources in the Americas. Chapter 2 pro- papers) discusses Palaeozoic and Mesozoic bioge- vides a brief history of related legislation in seven ography, presenting case studies from a broad countries: Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa range of taxa ranging from plants to dinosaurs. Rica, Paraguay, Peru, and United States. Chapter The six papers in Section 3 examine the history 3, the meatiest part of the book, contains four and biogeographic significance of Wallace’s Line. extensive tables that highlight similarities and dif- A particularly interesting paper by Heinsohn sum- ferences among these seven countries, focusing on marizes data on animal translocations and inva- such issues as who maintains control of indigenous sions across Wallace’s Line and throughout the lands (Table 1) to regulations governing technol- region. This process has important implications for ogy transfer (Table 3). Chapter 4, Options for the vertebrate zoogeography because humans have Future, contains some useful suggestions regard- transported a remarkable diversity of animals ing coordination of efforts to develop comprehen- among the islands, and many have established new sive legal systems for controlling access to genetic populations well outside their natural ranges. The resources, but it is five years old, summarizing a final three sections contain discussions of bioge- meeting held in 1997. ography and evolution of plants (five papers), non- If scientists do wish to become more informed primate animals (seven papers), and primates (six or even get involved in the legislation process sur- papers). These contributions are of varying quality rounding the utilization of genetic resources in the and scope, and the depth of coverage is markedly developed and underdeveloped Americas, this vol- inconsistent. Many papers present new data or ume gives them a place to start. It could also be an analyses, while others are largely speculative and extremely useful resource to those who wish to gain based primarily on reviews of previously published access to genetic materials from one or multiple information. Given the diversity of subject matter countries. For example, scientists considering and approaches, it is unfortunate that there is no embarking on a research program that would attempt to present an integrated summary in each entail collecting material from several countries section or at the end of the book. The printing could benefit by first determining the logistical fea- quality and layout of this volume are also disap- sibility of their proposed research. Given the politi- pointing given the price, and the text has far too cal instability of several Latin American countries, many typographical errors. including two featured in this volume (Colombia Despite these concerns, this book is full of little and Argentina), I am concerned that the legisla- gems of information and will be a useful resource tion discussed could be changing rapidly enough for anyone with an interest in biogeography and that the book is already out of date. evolution in the Wallacea and surrounding regions. Andrew Storfer, Biological Sciences, Washington Stephen Richards, South Australian Museum, State University, Pullman, Washington Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Bioinformatics: The Machine Learning Ap- Protecting Biodiversity: National Laws Reg- proach. Second Edition. Adaptive Computation and ulating Access to Genetic Resources in the Machine Learning. Americas. By Pierre Baldi and Søren Brunak. A Bradford Book. Edited by Susan Perkoff Bass and Manuel Ruiz Mul- Cambridge (Massachusetts): MIT Press. $49.95. xxiii .p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-262-02506-X. 2001 452 ם :(ler; Foreword by Mohamed L Ashry. Ottawa (Canada International Development Research Centre. $25.00 The first edition of this book has greatly influenced .p; no index. ISBN: 0-88936- the current generation of bioinformatics trainees 105 ם paper). xiv) 900-3. 2000. It is widely recognized as a classic “computer sci- With recent advances in genetic technology, the ence oriented” treatment of the subject and was potential use of natural genetic resources for util- one of the first attempts at a comprehensive theo- itarian purposes is staggering. These applications retical treatment of bioinformatics when initially must be balanced against the need to conserve bio- published in 1998. The second edition contains

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 324 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 several important additions: a timely section on the be of specific importance in analyses of actual human genome sequence and a review of protein sequences (such as transition-transversion bias) are function and alternative splicing (Chapter 1); a dis- not mentioned. Examples of particular substitu- cussion of applications of neural networks (Chap- tion models that have been widely used in the pub- ter 6); a section on gene-finding algorithms (Chap- lished literature would be helpful. The authors also ter 9); and a new chapter on algorithms for gloss over the extensive literature on branching analyzing DNA microarray and gene expression process priors for the speciation process (dating data (Chapter 12). The book assumes that readers back to at least the 1960s) with the comment will have some understanding of classical probabil- “[l]ittle work has been done so far to define prior ity theory and mathematical statistics (at the level distributions on the space of phylogenetic trees, in of a second year undergraduate course); more terms of both the branching process and the advanced measure theoretic probability concepts branching lengths” (p 273). No further references are avoided. The book should therefore be of inter- are provided. Such statements will be of little use est to mathematically oriented biologists and com- to readers and are potentially misleading. The dis- puter scientists, as well as applied statisticians. The cussion of algorithms for searching the tree space statistical orientation is predominantly Bayesian, to find a maximum likelihood (ML) tree is simi- but out of practical necessity rather than dogma- larly superficial, being limited to a single para- tism. There are several relatively self-contained graph with little technical content; there is no dis- chapters on fundamental statistical topics such as cussion of the Bayesian MCMC approaches for tree Bayesian Inference (Chapter 2); Probabilistic Mod- searching that have been in use since 1997. eling and Inference (Chapter 3); and Machine Overall, this book is essential reading for anyone Learning Algorithms (Chapter 4). In particular, coming from outside the field that is interested in Chapter 4 provides a useful introduction to several making original theoretical contributions to bioin- numerical methods for calculating probabilities and formatics. It will also be a useful resource for those estimating parameters, including the Expectation- involved in data analysis who would like to gain a Maximization (EM) algorithm and Markov Chain deeper understanding of the principles underlying Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms. Such methods current methods. The book is too short on details, now play a fundamental role in virtually all areas of and scant on citations of the primary literature, to genetic analysis ranging from physical mapping to be useful as a reference work, but arguably makes genetic anthropology. up for these weaknesses with its didactical strengths. Bioinformatics aims to be a self-contained work The second edition includes sufficient new material and therefore includes separate appendixes that that is probably worth a look, even for those who deal with advanced statistical concepts such as: have read the first edition. decision theory, sufficient statistics, and exponen- Bruce Rannala, Medical Genetics, University of tial families of probability distributions (Appendix Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada A); information theory and statistical entropy measures (Appendix B); probabilistic graphical models (Appendix C); and technical aspects of Hidden MacGlade 4: Analysis of Phylogeny and Char- Markov Models (Appendix D). This volume is best acter Evolution. Version 4.0. viewed as a textbook, favoring brevity over compre- By David R Maddison and Wayne P Maddison. Sun- hensiveness. It fails to provide key references in sev- derland (Massachusetts): Sinauer Associates. $125.00 eral areas (most obvious in the chapter on phylo- (CD-ROM). ISBN: 0-87893-470-7. [Requirements— genetic methods) but the authors’ bare-bones MAC: MacOS System 7.5 or later, 4MB hard drive approach to references does make the book easier space, 4MB RAM.] 2000. to read and provides a coherent (although somewhat biased) picture of developments in this field. One weakness is that the volume often tends to Adaptationism and Optimality. Cambridge Stud- be quite superficial in its treatment of the details ies in Philosophy and Biology. of the models and algorithms. For example, Chap- Edited by Steven Hecht Orzack and Elliott Sober. Cam- ter 10 deals with the entire subject of phylogenetic bridge and New York: Cambridge University Press. ;p 404 ם inference in a mere ten pages. The description of $75.00 (hardcover); $28.00 (paper). xv DNA substitution models is constrained only to the ill.; index. ISBN: 0-521-59166-X (hc); 0-521- most general form (a “Q matrix” with unspecified 59836-2 (pb). 2001. parameters) and the simplest example of a Q Adaptationism is the claim that natural selection is matrix (essentially a Jukes-Cantor model, but with the only important cause of nonmolecular trait an unspecified stationary nucleotide frequency evolution. Along with adaptation, optimality also distribution). Factors that have been observed to has enjoyed a controversial history. Both concepts

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 325 are based on the primacy of natural selection as Environmental Stressors and Gene Responses. the main designer of phenotypes. Orzack and Cell and Molecular Responses to Stress, Volume 1. Sober bring together a diverse group of biologists, Edited by K B Storey and J M Storey. Amsterdam (The modelers, and philosophers to comment on the Netherlands) and New York: Elsevier Science. $207.00. .p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-444-50488-5. 2000 303 ם current status of adaptationism and optimality, xix with the biologist “in the trenches” in mind. Their This volume consists of 20 chapters contributed by introduction is one of the more thoughtful contri- individual research groups that summarize organ- butions, outlining the essential developments and ismal responses to stress, primarily at the level of contentious areas. genes and proteins, but with additional emphasis The first three chapters address the use of his- placed on the importance of studying stress torical approaches to testing adaptations. This area responses in an ecological or evolutionary perspec- has received much attention in the past 20 years, tive. Individual chapters deal with the stresses of and there is still controversy regarding the useful- oxygen limitation, extremes of temperature, high ness of comparative methods. Topics discussed pressure, ischemia, hyper- and hypo-osmolarity, include the development of new likelihood desiccation, acidity, insect diapause, and metal tox- approaches to testing adaptations with phylogenies icity. The majority of chapters focus on stress from (Baum and Donoghue), the logical status of phy- the physiological and molecular perspective, logenetic inertia as a null hypothesis (Orzack and although a few discuss the importance of placing Sober), and why historical approaches must often stress in an ecological or evolutionary perspective. fail (Reeve and Sherman). In two of the more Individual chapters are extremely comprehensive empirically minded chapters, Herre et al. review fig and well written and will serve as a valuable refer- wasp sex ratio evolution as an exemplary test case ence for particular topics, while the entire collection will be an appropriate textbook for a survey of the optimization approach, and Halama and course on molecular and organismal responses to Reznick review evidence for adaptive intrapopula- environmental stress. tion variation in nature, including polymorphisms The breadth of topics covered in this volume is, and adaptive phenotypic plasticity. I found the dis- however, both a strength and a weakness. Those cussion of case studies a nice change of pace from interested in the finery of gene regulation during the more philosophical dissections contained in hypoxia may have little enthusiasm for the link the volume. between stress and the geographical distribution of Two thought-provoking chapters are included organisms. Equally, those focused on the role of near the end of the book. Amundson delves into trade-offs in evolutionary adaptation to stress con- why developmental biology has been traditionally ditions are unlikely to be intimately concerned estranged from adaptationism. Godfrey-Smith about how osmotic stress affects DNA activity and presents an illuminating discussion of three kinds the cell cycle. of adaptationism and suggests that most critics tar- The authors discuss both their own research and get “explanatory adaptationism” (akin to a Pan- relevant research of others, and some will be easily glossian approach) and not more benign forms accessible to nonspecialists, while other research is used to guide research. more technical and detail driven. In conclusion, Although the editors intended for this volume this is certainly an instructive volume and with new to be useful to empiricists, the nature of the debate advancing technologies quickly changing the inves- perhaps makes this book most relevant to more tigation of stress responses at the genetic and philosophically inclined specialists interested in molecular level, it is a timely summary of infor- these areas. Perhaps the reasons why adaptationism mation to date on gene responses to a wide spec- and optimality generate so much heat owes much trum of stresses. to the presumption that natural selection is the Michelle M Riehle, Ecology & Evolutionary Biol- main force guiding evolutionary change. If this is ogy, University of California, Irvine, California so, then Adaptationism and Optimality will shed a little light on these issues. Paul Doughty, Zoology & Entomology, University Regulation of Gene Expression. Essays in Bio- of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia chemistry, Volume 37. Edited by K E Chapman and S J Higgins. London: ;.p; ill 131 ם Portland Press. £19.00 (paper). xvi The Evolution of Adaptive Systems. subject index. ISBN: 1-85578-138-7. 2001. By James P Brock. San Diego (California): Academic Mechanisms that regulate gene expression never p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-12- fail to excite the imagination. This is ever more so 642 ם Press. $99.95. xiii 134740-0. 2000. in the present “post genomic” era of biological

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 326 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 endeavor where the genetic codes of model organ- stimulating introduction to this fascinating realm isms that exemplify the major biological groups are of cell biology. known. The benefits of these treasures are many Dean A Jackson, Biomolecular Sciences, University fold, although in other respects this wealth of of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology, Man- sequence information also serves to emphasize our chester, United Kingdom limitations. Controlling gene expression is an interesting case in point, where sequence information alone cannot define tissue specific patterns of gene expression, even though the mechanistic possibilities are clear. With this in mind, Regulation of Gene Expression begins with three excellent reviews that encapsu- REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT late the role of transcription factors in gene regu- The Evolution of Developmental Pathways. lation and describe how RNA polymerase is By Adam S Wilkins. Sunderland (Massachusetts): .p; ill.; index 603 ם engaged to drive gene expression. Three addi- Sinauer Associates. $54.95. xvii tional chapters expand this theme to discuss in ISBN: 0-87893-916-4. 2002. detail how gene expression is activated in response Since the mid-1990s, several new books have been to specific cellular cues. Clearly, many examples published celebrating a reawakening of interest in could be chosen to expound this process. Here the understanding the evolution of developmental choices fall to: the complex signaling pathways that mechanisms, or “Evo-Devo” as the field is affection- connect growth, differentiation, and stress-induced ately known by its participants. The author of the stimuli to the requisite pathways of gene expression; current volume has produced perhaps the most how gene expression is controlled throughout the cell cycle; and the controls that regulate cell fate and accessible, up-to-date introduction to this exciting, specifically those factors that control the decision to integrative field. As Wilkins points out in the Intro- proliferate, differentiate, senesce, or die by apopto- duction, “[t]he central aim of evolutionary devel- sis. These excellent chapters each make for com- opmental biology is [no less than] to delineate the pelling reading. precise mechanisms, processes, and events that To expand the central theme, two chapters dis- have been responsible for generating the astonish- cuss how epigenetic factors influence expression. ing diversity of animal and plant forms that char- Here we learn how gene expression can be con- acterize our planet” (p 3). He goes on to provide trolled by chromatin status and how patterns of a beautifully succinct historical account of the early gene expression can be influenced and stabilized 20th-century divorce between the newly-born fields by DNA methylation. Finally, a single chapter con- of genetics and experimental embryology that led siders the potential for regulation downstream of to most practitioners in each field ignoring the transcription by focusing on a variety of fascinating contributions of the other, and to leave evolution- mechanisms that influence the regulation of ary questions behind almost completely. mRNA translation. The book is separated into three parts. In the The overall quality of the essays in this volume is first, Wilkins provides the background for the foun- outstanding, as befits the international status of the dation of this new field: the importance of fossils, authors. Each produces a compelling story of a comparative molecular studies, and our relatively topic that is central to the issue at hand. To be recent realization that all of the important devel- critical, many other features that influence gene opmental genes are conserved across all animal expression are neglected. For a balanced view, it is phyla. In Part II, he uses several classic case studies important to recognize how features such as the to demonstrate how integrating the information stability and cellular location of mRNA affect from all of these areas has enhanced our under- expression and how processing of primary tran- standing of morphological evolution: sex deter- scripts during splicing might dramatically influ- mination, segmental patterning in insects, and the ence cellular diversity in higher eukaryotes. Addi- nematode vulva and the tetrapod limb. Finally, he tionally, chromosome architecture and global reviews the conundrums that may finally be nuclear structure can be key elements in control- resolved by the new field: the genetic sources of ling gene expression; even a cursory look at the developmental evolution, costs and constraints, experience of cell cloning emphasizes this. speciation, and the evolution of multicellularity, Surely it will be necessary to embrace each of the Bilateria and triploblasts. these features to develop a global view of gene As an introductory overview of the field, this is expression that might allow us to be confident probably one of the best textbooks currently avail- about the abilities of technologies such as single able, and would be suitable for any advanced cell cloning and gene therapy. Such caveats aside, undergraduate or graduate Evo-Devo course. I cer- I would thoroughly recommend this volume as a tainly intend to use it as the textbook for my gradu-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 327 ate seminar series on the topic. If I have any criti- to present new concepts and pose intriguing ques- cism it would be that I wish the publishers had tions emerging from studies of microbial diversity. found a way to invest in color figures. Perhaps fol- To fully appreciate the impact of the information lowing the undoubted success of this volume they presented, Carl Woese provides an enlightening will be able to do so in the second edition. perspective on the dismal scientific climate that per- Jeremy J Gibson-Brown, Biology, Washington vaded microbial evolution and ecology prior to the University, St. Louis, Missouri application of genetic sequence analysis to microbial phylogeny and the detection of microbes in natural Dictionary of Developmental Biology and habitats. As a result of these advances, stimulating Embryology. concepts centered on the diversity and evolution of -microbial life can now be addressed in a scientifi ם By Frank J Dye. New York: Wiley-Liss. $79.95. ix 165 p; no index. ISBN: 0-471-44357-3. 2002. cally valid context. Topics presented include: the prokaryote-dominated three domain tree of life and Principles of Development. Second Edition. the influence of niche adaptation, geographic iso- By Lewis Wolpert, Rosa Beddington, Thomas Jessell, lation, and interspecies communication on bacterial Peter Lawrence, Elliot Meyerowitz, and Jim Smith. evolution (Section I); evolution of energy generat- Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press. ing metabolic pathways, organotrophy lithotrophy, ם $89.95. xxv 542 p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-19- photosynthesis, and evidence for the one that may 924939-3 (hc); 0-19-879291-3 (pb). 2002. have evolved first (Section II); genetic diversity of The second edition of this textbook includes microbes in surface soils, open ocean environments, recent advances in the molecular and cellular biol- miles below the Earth’s surface, marine environ- ogy of development with new sections on the heart, ments, geothermally heated and subfreezing sea ice the vascular system, and teeth. A new companion habitats, and the degree to which this diversity website (www.oup.com/wolpert) provides addi- reflects physiologically or functionally distinct tional support for both student and instructor, with microbial populations (Sections III and V); and bac- illustrations, review questions, and course/lecture terial origins of chloroplasts and mitochondria, and outlines for each chapter. coevolution of complex symbiotic associations among microbes in plants, insects, and humans VADE MECUM: An Interactive Guide to Devel- (Section IV). opmental Biology. The task of memorizing bacterial taxa or bio- By Mary S Tyler and Ronald N Kozlowski. Sunderland chemical pathways in the absence of an evolution- (Massachusetts): Sinauer Associates. $29.95 (CD- ary framework leaves much to be desired. If you or ROM). ISBN: 0-87893-842-7. 2000. [Require- your students would be more enthusiastic if this ments—Windows: Windows 95/98/NT or greater, were done in association with evolutionary con- Pentium II, 200MHz or higher microprocessor cepts such as how life on Earth originated, the pos- (Pentium III recommended), 20MB RAM, 8x CD- sibility of life on other worlds, or how so many dif- ROM drive, Windows compatible sound card, ferent life forms came to call your body “home,” SVGA monitor with 16-bit color (24-bit recom- then you will enjoy learning more about the latest mended); MAC: system 8.5 or greater, 7600/132 research into the biodiversity of microbial life. This book is an excellent place to start. processor (G3 recommended), 20MB RAM, 8x Michael J Ferris, Research Institute for Children, CD-ROM drive.] School of Medicine, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, Louisiana

Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology. Third Edition. By Paul Singleton and Diana Sainsbury. Chichester MICROBIOLOGY (United Kingdom) and New York: John Wiley & Sons. p; ill.; no index. ISBN: 0-471- 895 ם xi .$150.00 Biodiversity of Microbial Life: Foundation of 94150-6 (hc); 0-471-49064-4 (pb). 2001. Earth’s Biosphere. Ecology and Applied Microbiology. Edited by James T Staley and Anna-Louise Reysen- ם bach. New York: Wiley-Liss. $89.95. xxxiii 552 p; Human Polyomaviruses: Molecular and Clini- ill.; index. ISBN: 0-471-25433-9. 2002. cal Perspectives. This book presents recent insights, revealed by the Edited by Kamel Khalili and Gerald L Stoner. New ;.pl; ill 8 ם p 688 ם genetic sequence analyses of microorganisms, which York: Wiley-Liss. $155.00. xv have shaken the foundation of traditional concepts index. ISBN: 0-471-39009-7. 2001. about the biodiversity of life on Earth. Noted sci- I admit it. When I ﬁrst received this book, a collec- entists contribute many of the 16 chapters. Each tion of 22 chapters covering the history, molecular author draws upon personal research experiences biology, and pathogenesis of human polyomavi-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 328 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 ruses, I was apprehensive. My apprehension was make plants particularly good systems to study cell unfounded, however. This book is not simply a col- division in relation to growth control. Most adaptive lection of arcane facts, but rather a synthesis of our responses in plants to their dynamic environment knowledge regarding this important group of involve changes in developmental fate and growth viruses. I found this work to be informative, useful, patterns and, ultimately, affect cell proliferation. and pleasant to read. The initial chapters describe Therefore, many different external and internal sig- the discovery of JC virus and BK virus from the nals are expected to, directly or indirectly, interface perspectives of four of the principal investigators. with the cell division machinery in plants. This offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of An introductory chapter provides an overview of animal virology in the 1950s and 1960s, and the the logic and the key players of the eukaryotic cell different professional paths taken by these individ- cycle. As most of our understanding of the eukary- uals and how they converged with the discovery of otic cell cycle in the last three decades stems from the JC and BK viruses, two members of the Poly- work conducted in yeast and animal models, much omaviridae that are human pathogens. Most of the of this chapter highlights recent progress in those remaining chapters focus on the molecular virol- fields. Subsequent chapters emphasize how devel- ogy of BKV and JCV, and on how these viruses are opmental, metabolic, environmental, and particu- thought to contribute to disease. Three chapters larly phytohormonal cues interface with the control are devoted to the immunology and epidemiology of proliferation and cytokinesis in plants. The phy- of the closely related simian virus 40, and its pos- tohormones cytokinin and gibberellin are discussed sible association with human cancer. in great detail. It is a little surprising that a chapter This book is full of facts, yet the editors have specifically dealing with the plant growth regulator succeeded in presenting a coherent view of these auxin and its interfaces with the cell cycle machinery subjects relatively free of redundancy. Although is not included, although references to the role of only true Polyomaviridae geeks will read this book auxin in controlling proliferation are made in sev- from cover to cover, the material is presented in a eral chapters. Individual chapters come in different user-friendly style that will ensure its use as a ref- styles: from more empirical reviews to ones that erence source for investigators studying infectious disease, neurology, and cancer as well as virology. develop detailed models. Some chapters largely rely As such I expect this work will become an essential on data obtained from nonplant systems (for exam- component of research libraries and virology lab- ple, discussions of sugar sensing and cell cycle con- oratories. In assembling this collection the editors trol). These chapters should be particularly attrac- and authors have accomplished an important and tive to investigators entering the field as they useful service for the scientific community. delineate challenging areas for future studies. James M Pipas, Biological Sciences, University of In general, the volume is easily accessible. Great Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania effort was made to keep the references up to date. This book comes at an interesting time for the Annual Review of Microbiology. Volume 55: field. Although most paradigms for plant cell divi- 2001. sion control are still inferred from work done in Edited by L Nicholas Ornston, Albert Balows, and other systems, this is rapidly changing. This volume Susan Gottesman. Palo Alto (California): Annual provides a useful blend of reviews of the accom- -pl; ill.; subject plishments in plant cell cycle research and, simul 12 ם p 817 ם Reviews. $65.00. xii index and cumulative indexes (contributing taneously, highlights the challenges that lie ahead. authors and chapter titles, Volumes 51-55). ISBN: It will be very useful for both new and established 0-8243-1155-8. 2001. investigators. Peter Doerner, Institute for Cell & Molecular Biol- ogy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United King- dom

Nitrogen Assimilation by Plants: Physiologi- PLANT SCIENCES cal, Biochemical and Molecular Aspects. The Plant Cell Cycle and Its Interfaces. Shef- Edited by Jean-François Morot-Gaudry. Enfield (New 466 ם field Biological Sciences. Hampshire): Science Publishers. $118.00. xxi Edited by Dennis Francis. Sheffield (United Kingdom): p; ill.; index. ISBN: 1-57808-139-4. [Translation Sheffield Academic Press; Boca Raton (Florida): CRC of: Assimilation de l’azote chez les plantes: aspects phy- ,p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0- siologique, biochimique et molećulaire, INRA, Paris 220 ם Press. £69.00. xiv 8493-0504-7. 2001. 1997.] 2001. This is a very timely and up-to-date review of an This book updates a 1997 French volume, and exciting field that is currently expanding rapidly. includes 25 chapters authored by one British and This book focuses on the biological questions that 47 French scientists. There is some variance in

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 329 international scope among chapters, but most are Protein-Protein Interactions in Plant Biol- comprehensive and all are nicely crafted in lan- ogy. Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 7. guage, supporting evidence, and illustration. The Edited by Michael T McManus, William A Laing, use of primary experimental evidence in the con- and Andrew C Allan. Sheffield (United Kingdom): text of each topic is a strength throughout. Sheffield Academic Press; Boca Raton (Florida): CRC ם Separated into five parts, the book begins with Press. $139.95. xv 325 p; ill.; index. ISBN: 1- the assimilation of nitrate and ammonia by plants. 84127-299-9 (Sheffield Academic Press); 0-8493- The first chapter is a quick overview of the nitro- 9790-1 (CRC Press). 2002. gen cycle and root anatomy. In contrast, the con- cluding chapter in Part I provides an anchor with its whole plant context. Symbiotic assimilation of Rice Genetics IV. Based on a symposium held in Los Banõs, Philippines, 22–27 October 2000. nitrogen is a theme that stands alone. It contains Edited by G S Khush, D S Brar, and B Hardy. Enfield notable advances made during the past decade (New Hampshire): Science Publishers; Los Banõs such as the molecular communication between (Philippines): International Rice Research Institute. microorganisms and plants. :p; ill.; no index. ISBN 488 ם paper). xi) $88.00 I believe the strongest part of the book dis- 1-57808-167-X. 2001. cusses synthesis and transport of amino acids and With the recent genome sequencing of the two carbon/nitrogen relationships. It is worth having major subspecies of rice (Oryza sativa ssp. indica the book for this theme alone. The distribution and japonica) and the close genetic relationship of of nitrogen during plant growth and develop- rice with other cereal crops, interest in rice as a ment continues along an increasing complexity of model plant system has never been greater. This end-state metabolic product. The chapter on pro- volume represents a collection of 31 plenary lec- tein synthesis in grains and seeds is a good, cur- tures from the Fourth International Rice Genetics rent review of an important economic and nutri- Symposium that are organized into five sections: tion topic. The 15N methodology chapter both Overview; Molecular markers, genetic diversity, traces the development of isotope research tools and evolution; Structural and functional genomics; available in the past, possible measurements cur- Gene isolation and function; and Transformation. rently available, and those that are likely in the The overview papers provide a concise history of future. The final theme, nitrogen ecophysiology rice genetics and its application to breeding as well and agronomy, is weak, although there are several as a description of the recently terminated Rocke- excellent chapters. The chapter, Nitrogen: Crop feller Foundation International Program on Rice Production and Environment, differs in its Biotechnology, widely recognized for facilitating approach from the others by focusing more on groundbreaking work in rice biotechnology and enumerating topics that need solution. Although training of rice scientists from underdeveloped the other four themes are more mature, there is Asian countries. Papers in the second section pro- more plant mineral ecophysiology than was pre- vide insight into the genetic origins and relation- sented. Biometerological influences on plant ships of rice, and review the case for using rice as nitrogen, a whole plant evolutionary context, and the model cereal genome. the plasticity of competing root systems are exam- The remaining sections focus on molecular ples of missing ecophysiological topics. genetics and genomics research and the application of biotechnology to rice improvement, focus- This book deserves a place in university libraries ing exclusively on production issues. The status of where plant physiology students can use it to sup- simple sequence repeat markers and miniature plement plant mineral nutrition information. The inverted repeat transposable elements is discussed, referencing of topics to a whole plant context, in and the use of markers in breeding and dissecting contrast to a singular molecular correlation vision quantitative traits is described. The genomics sec- or global trend scale, will make this volume par- tion contains descriptions of sequencing methods ticularly useful for researchers formulating ques- and strategies as well as the development of tools tions. It will also be of use to a range of applied for functional analysis with emphasis on genera- biologists and managers from agronomy through tion and analysis of mutant phenotypes using dele- restoration resting on environmental resource tion and insertional mutagenesis. A very brief over- stewardship. Written in a lively style, it conveys the view of rice bioinformatics resources is presented. excitement of scientific discovery. The gene isolation section focuses on the charac- Roy M Peterson, Jr, Environmental Services, Cali- terization of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance fornia Department of Water Resources, Sacramento, genes and includes work on programmed cell California death and engineering apomictic rice. The last sec-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 330 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 tion covers transgene expression and engineering book. The authors clearly argue that ecological virus resistance, drought tolerance, and increased weed management can greatly reduce the use of photosynthetic efficiency in rice. herbicides. Newcomers to the field of rice genetics and gen- If ecological weed management is effective, why omics will find this to be a useful guide to the wide do farmers rely so heavily on herbicides? In their array of resources currently available and in devel- final chapter, the authors provide an answer: the opment. Researchers interested in cutting edge apparent ease and low risk of chemical manage- work in structural and functional analysis of the ment; the aggressive marketing of chemical solu- rice genome will also benefit from this fairly com- tions, coupled with a lack of widely available infor- plete representation of the field. mation on alternatives; the externalization of Thomas H Tai, Agronomy & Range Science, Uni- environmental and human health cost of agricul- versity of California, Davis, California tural technologies; the increasing prevalence of large-scale industrial farms; and government policies fostering intensive agricultural practices. I Legume (Fabaceae) Fruits and Seeds. believe that this book can make some difference. By Joseph H Kirkbride, Jr, Charles R Gunn, Anna L As the title implies, management of “environ- Weitzman, and Michael J Dallwitz. Boone (North mental weeds” (harmful invaders in natural areas) Carolina): Parkway Publishers. $75.00 (CD-ROM). is not covered. Such extension would substantially ISBN: 1-887905-25-1. 2000. [Requirements—Win- increase the number of potential readers. The only dows 95, 98, or NT. For good image quality, a serious problem I have with this book is the price. display card with at least 32,768 colors at Unless it is reprinted as a paperback, only a very 800x600 or 1024x768 resolution and a refresh few individuals will buy it. At a much lower price, I rate of at least 70Hz is recommended.] would adopt it as a textbook for my class in weed biology. Marcel Rejmańek, Evolution & Ecology, Univer- Ecological Management of Agricultural sity of California, Davis, California Weeds. Written and Edited by Matt Liebman, Charles L Moh- ler, and Charles P Staver. Cambridge and New York: Flora Europaea on CD-ROM. p; Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University 532 ם Cambridge University Press. $120.00. xi ill.; taxonomic and subject indexes. ISBN: 0-521- Press. $555.00 (CD-ROM). ISBN: 0-521-77811-5. 56068-3. 2001. 2001. [Requirements—Win 9X operating system, Initially, I was somewhat suspicious about this book. 80486 processor or greater, 4MB RAM, Win- A lot has been written on the role of ecology in dows compatible CD-ROM drive and Microsoft weed management. Nevertheless, when members CD-ROM extensions (MSCDEX) version 2.0 or of the Weed Science Society of America were higher, VGA monitor set to 800x600 pixels res- recently asked what the contribution of weed ecol- olution.] ogy really is, the most frequent answer was “mod- erate” (1997. Weed Science 45:344). This book exceeded all my expectations. It is worthy reading ARABIDOPSIS: A Laboratory Manual. for ecologists, weed scientists, farm advisers, and By Detlef Weigel and Jane Glazebrook. Cold Spring progressive farmers. Harbor (New York): Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Eight out of 11 chapters were written only by Press. $180.00 (hardcover); $115.00 (concealed p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-87969-572- 354 ם one of the authors. Being a plant ecologist, I was wire). xii first very much impressed by the chapters by 2 (hc); 0-87969-573-0 (concealed wire). 2002. Charles Mohler of Cornell University. His contri- Arabidopsis thaliana is perhaps the most important butions represent applied ecology at its best (e.g., plant species in modern plant biology. This rela- Weed life history: identifying vulnerabilities; tively small flowering plant, a member of the mus- Enhancing the competitive ability of crops; and tard (Brassicaceae) family, serves as the dominant Weed evolution and community structure). I later model plant in modern plant science, which realized that the other two authors—Matt Liebman includes physiological, molecular, and develop- and Charles Staver—complemented Mohler very mental research. In this book, the editors have nicely by their somewhat more practical and geo- taken a practical approach and described almost graphically more diverse chapters on the role of all aspects of using Arabidopsis in plant research. crop diversification and livestock grazing for weed Composed of eight chapters, this volume starts management and farmer-extensionist-scientist inter- with the most basic, yet important, description of actions. There are no superficial chapters in this how to grow and maintain Arabidopsis plants both

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 331 in soil and in culture. Four chapters are dedicated collections. Some 58 scientific papers were to to the study of Arabidopsis mutants. Considering the emerge. These findings revolutionized our knowl- importance of mutants in Arabidopsis research, the edge of geographic speciation and evolution. The content of these chapters, which describe ways to many lineages show striking geographic variation, produce mutants, methods for genetic and island size and isolation effects, dispersal phenom- phenotypic analysis, and protocols for identifica- ena, species turnover, the founder effect, and other tion and isolation of the mutated genes, will pro- basic processes. Ernst Mayr’s two authoritative vide valuable information for every plant biologist books, Systematics and the Origin of Species From the considering the use of mutants for their research. Viewpoint of a Zoologist (1942. New York: Columbia Additional chapters describe the production of University Press) and Animal Species and Evolution transgenic Arabidopsis as well as study of gene (1963. Cambridge (MA): Harvard University expression and gene function. The chapters are Press), extensively draw on this material. Jared Dia- contributed by various scientists from the Arabidop- mond, with some 40 papers to this credit on the sis research community and begin with the general birds of New Guinea and the islands is, in turn, the required background, followed by simple, step-by- leading expert on the evolutionary ecology of step laboratory protocols. For example, in Chapter Pacific birds. 5 (How to Transform Arabidopsis), a general intro- Chapters are devoted to the geology and geo- duction on the Agrobacterium biology and its vector logical history of Northern Melanesia (Solomon is followed by the successive protocols needed for Islands, New Hebrides, Bismarck Archipelago, the production of transgenic Arabidopsis. These but not New Guinea). Other chapters which protocols include transformation of Agrobacterium; include Northern Melanesia and sometimes New transformation of ex vitro Arabidopsis; selection of Guinea discuss habitats and vegetation, human transgenic Arabidopsis; and in vitro root transfor- history and their impact (endemic and Euro- mation. Such a practical writing style makes the pean) on island biotas, ornithological exploration, book easy to use and a perfect, one of its kind, extinction, taxonomic composition of the avifauna, laboratory manual. determinants of island species number, level of Tzvi Tzfira, Biochemistry & Cell Biology, State Uni- endemism, habitat preference, and species abun- versity of New York, Stony Brook, New York dance. Overwater dispersal, distributional ecology, origins, colonization and faunal dominance, geographic variation, speciation, establishment of geo- Plant Systematics: A Half-Century of Pro- graphic isolates, taxon cycles, as well as barriers gress (1950–2000) and Future Challenges. between and within the Bismarcks and Solomons Edited by Tod F Stuessy, Elvira Ho¨randl, and Veronika are considered. Mayer. Vienna (Austria): International Association There is an abundance of illustrations, range ;p 333 ם for Plant Taxonomy. $30.00 (paper). iv maps of lineages, and a discussion of how they vary ill.; no index. 2001. through the islands. The volume includes a superb This book originated from the Golden Jubilee series of nine plates (with 12 to 14 forms per plate) Series of reviews published in five numbers of by Douglas Pratt that, for the first time, depict Taxon during the last two years. They describe pro- many of the forms in color. They both enliven the gress in plant systematics throughout the past fifty book and illustrate characteristics and variation years and examine present potentials and future patterns in the lineages being discussed. challenges. This definitive volume will inspire a new set of studies based on genetics and DNA, before too many of the unique island forms disappear. It will remain the ultimate work on island speciation. Allen Keast, Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada ANIMAL SCIENCES

The Birds of Northern Melanesia: Speciation, Practical Exercises in Parasitology. Ecology, & Biogeography. Edited by David W Halton, Jerzy M Behnke, and Ian By Ernst Mayr and Jared M Diamond; color plates by Marshall. Cambridge and New York: Cambridge Uni- .p; ill.; index 461 ם H Douglas Pratt. Oxford and New York: Oxford Uni- versity Press. $49.95. xviii .pl; ill.; sub- ISBN: 0-521-79104-9. 2001 9 ם p 492 ם versity Press. $55.00. xxiv ject and species indexes. ISBN: 0-19-514170-9. Not since MacInnis and Voge’s volume, Experiments 2001. and Techniques in Parasitology (1970. San Francisco Starting in the 1930s, Ernst Mayr developed a series (CA): W.H. Freeman and Company), has a com- of deﬁnitive works on the birds of the Paciﬁc using prehensive laboratory manual been available. the American Museum’s newly assembled Whitney Excellent volumes limited to cell and molecular

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 332 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 parasitology have been published recently, but they across the animal kingdom. An exception is the exclude fascinating exercises that introduce under- final chapter on eye movements, which reviews graduates to the diversity of parasitic forms in situ vertebrate and invertebrate strategies of image and to the remarkable spectrum of adaptations for fixation. Land and Nilsson are acknowledged host finding, entry, and parasitic life. authorities on invertebrate optics, and their col- The book consists of seven sections, most with laboration in this book is a very successful one. In five to seven chapters, and each presents a labora- it they have brought together descriptions of tory exercise. Section 1, Observational Exercises many eyes that are scattered far and wide in on Parasites, consists of two subsections: Local wild reviews and journals, and have provided a kind of and domestic hosts as sources of parasites; and Lab- manual for their analysis. Their handling of the oratory maintained species. The authors are mathematical aspects of optics is elegant and almost exclusively from the United Kingdom and, remarkably penetrating. Armed with this little consequently, the host-parasite systems taken from book, careful readers would be prepared to the wild will be unavailable in many other areas. Related assemblages should be available elsewhere, describe and analyze the optical morphology of permitting comparable laboratory work to be any newly discovered eye, had only the authors done. Except for the very squeamish, little excites left any to be discovered. the interest of biology students as much as finding The book is suitable by itself for an undergrad- living parasites in situ personally. uate or graduate seminar, and in combination with Section 2, Ecology, includes descriptive and other volumes could serve as the optical textbook experimental studies of parasite population and in a course on the visual system. The novelty and community ecology. Contemporary ecological the- skilled treatment of the subject matter make it a ory is explored using helminth parasites. The fol- unique and valuable work. It should be in the lowing three sections, Physiology and Biochemistry, library of every college, university, and school of Pathology and Immunology, and Chemotherapy, optometry. are largely experimental; they introduce techniques Howard C Howland, Neurobiology & Behavior, used in the working parasitology laboratory. Again, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York there is a concentration on helminths not found in other recent laboratory manuals. Section 6, Molec- ular Parasitology, also presents a series of technical exercises ranging from DNA purification to construction of a genomic library. It also includes exam- Pennak’s Freshwater Invertebrates of the ples of applied diagnostic parasitology involving the United States: Porifera to Crustacea. Fourth use of PCR to detect and differentiate between spe- Edition. cies of parasitic amoebae. In the final section, Behav- By Douglas Grant Smith. New York: John Wiley & .pl; ill.; index 16 ם p 638 ם iour, several studies of parasite host-finding behavior Sons. $120.00. x and of parasite-induced changes in host behavior, ISBN: 0-471-35837-1. 2001. topics that invariably fascinate students, are pre- Since the publication of the first edition in 1953, sented. Three appendixes list reagents and suppliers Robert Pennak’s Freshwater Invertebrates of the United in the U.K. and U.S. States has been a leading resource on the identifi- These exercises have been tested and used in the cation and general biology of freshwater inverte- teaching laboratories of diverse undergraduate brates. Revised by Pennak himself in 1978 and departments. They are sure to excite intellectually 1989, this book has now been revised by Douglas curious students. The book is a must for teachers Smith for a fourth edition. of parasitology, and students exposed to these lab- The introductory chapter, which provides thought- oratory exercises are sure to benefit greatly. provoking and very broad coverage of freshwater Gerhard A Schad, Pathobiology, University of environments and biota, has completely new or Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania extensively revised sections on astatic ponds, phre- atic and psammolittoral waters, exotic species Animal Eyes. Oxford Animal Biology Series. (including a very nice table showing the history of By Michael F Land and Dan-Eric Nilsson. Oxford and some freshwater introductions), and collecting New York: Oxford University Press. $85.00 (hard- ethics. Aside from these sections, however, the rest pl; ill.; of the introduction is virtually untouched since the 4 ם p 221 ם cover); $45.00 (paper). xii index. ISBN: 0-19-857564-5 (hc); 0-19-850968-5 1989 edition, which itself was reprinted largely ver- (pb). 2002. batim from a 1985 article by Pennak. In addition This charming and excellent book might be sub- to an absence of recent references, the introduc- titled Optics and Ocular Morphology, for it is pri- tion’s text is occasionally misleading because of the marily concerned with image formation of eyes lack of revision (most conspicuously, diversity esti-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 333 mates from the late 1970s are still referred to as Butterflies of British Columbia: Including “ten years” old). Western Alberta, Southern Yukon, the Alaska Individual chapters are dedicated to Porifera, Panhandle, Washington, Northern Oregon, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nemertea, Gastrotri- Northern Idaho, Northwestern Montana. cha, Rotifera, Nematoda, Nematomorpha, Tardi- By Crispin S Guppy and Jon H Shepard. Published by grada, Entoprocta, Ectoprocta, Annelida, Mol- UBC Press, Vancouver (Canada), in collaboration lusca, Arachnida, Phyllopodous Branchiopoda, with the Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria Cladoceran Branchiopoda, Copepoda, Branchi- (Canada). $95.00. 414 p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-7748- ura, Ostracoda, Minor Malacostraca, Isopoda, 0809-8. 2001. Amphipoda, and Decapoda. The chapter on pro- The authors’ stated aim is to provide both natural- tists has been omitted from this edition, a change ists and professional biologists with an overview of that is understandable, but regrettable nonethe- the butterfly fauna of British Columbia. They have less. Given the abundance and diversity of pro- produced a hardback, coffee-table sized book that tists, and their potential to be mistaken for small is definitely not for carrying on a field trip. The invertebrate animals by novice students, many will photographs, mostly of museum specimens, are want to supplement the new edition of Pennak clearly intended as aids to identification. There are with references on freshwater protists as well as useful, detailed distribution maps and discussion of aquatic insects (which were already excluded nomenclature, both scientific and vernacular. The from the third edition). authors have split some species into two and Each taxonomic chapter covers general aspects applied their own grammatical corrections to Latin of the group’s biology (e.g., anatomy, physiology, names. As a result, the names used here occasion- ecology, and reproduction) and typically concludes ally differ from those in competing books. with short sections on collection and preparation There is substantial material on the general biol- techniques and taxonomy of the group, followed ogy of butterflies. The section on conservation is by a key. Smith has updated the reference lists and informative and discussion of potential effects of pesticides is up to date. Much of the discussion made considerable revisions to many of the keys to includes references that are outdated. There is update and improve them, making this volume almost nothing on the general contributions that worth acquiring, even for those who already have butterfly biology now makes to ecology, develop- the previous edition. In contrast to previous edi- mental biology, conservation biology, and evolu- tions, however, none of the keys lead the user to tion. The spirited defense of butterfly collecting is species; keys are mostly to genus (or occasionally bound to be controversial. The authors express only to family or order). Most of the marvelous faith that collecting has a negligible effect on the anatomical line drawings from past editions still survival of butterfly populations, citing a published adorn the chapters. Smith has added a number of conclusion that it would take several collectors new line drawings and photos, including some working every day for three days to extirpate a beautiful scanning electromicrographs (SEMs) population of 250 individuals. The potential and 16 color plates. impact of collecting does not, however, depend just In the past half century, Pennak’s manual has on how hard it is to collect all the butterflies in a deservedly become a classic and indispensable population, but also on the impact of removing a guide to freshwater invertebrates for students, small percentage of the butterflies each year for teachers, and researchers. Smith’s efforts in pro- many years. As Susan Harrison and others have ducing this new edition ensure that this excellent argued, the answer to this question is not obvious. reference will remain relevant and in circulation Because of its opinionated approaches to butter- for a new generation of freshwater invertebrate fly collecting, biology, and taxonomy, this infor- enthusiasts. mative book will be controversial. Set beside its Alexandra E Bely, Molecular & Cell Biology, Uni- competitors, it is not clearly essential either as a versity of California, Berkeley, California guide to western butterfly identification or to general butterfly biology. There is, however, currently no up-to-date treatment of butterfly biology. Scott’s excellent book, The Butterflies of North America: A An Updated Classification of the Recent Crus- Natural History and Field Guide (1986. Stanford tacea. Science Series, Volume 39. (CA): Stanford University Press), has been repeat- By Joel W Martin and George E Davis. Los Angeles edly reprinted and the Royal Entomological Soci- (California): Natural History Museum of Los Angeles ety Symposium dates to 1984. The best modern -p; no index. butterfly book that I know is Asher et al.’s The Mil 124 ם County. $20.00 (paper). ix ISSN: 1-891276-27-1. 2001. lennium Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland

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(2001. Oxford: Oxford University Press). The U.K. relationships, and free-living or parasitic lifestyles. has fewer species and many more butterfly biolo- The next sections cover their body forms as well as gists than British Columbia, so it is not surprising detailed descriptions and illustrations of gross and that there is more detail known about each species. fine morphology and internal anatomy. Structures Michael C Singer, Integrative Biology, University distinguishing bees from other aculeate Hymenop- of Texas, Austin, Texas tera are especially well developed. Sections on bees and Sphecoid wasps as a clade, the origin of bees from wasps, and bees as a holophyletic group are The Bees of the World. given, along with a history of the categories of bee By Charles D Michener. Baltimore (Maryland): Johns taxa, historically how they have been classified by other specialists, and their current classification ם p 913 ם Hopkins University Press. $135.00. xv 16 pl; ill.; indexes of terms and taxa. ISBN: 0- using modern cladistic analysis methods. 8018-6133-0. 2000. A section on bee phylogeny and the proto-bee, Bees fulfill critical keystone mutualist roles as pol- along with discussions of fossil bees, is included. linators of most of the world’s quarter million flow- Michener’s thoughts and analyses of modern ering plants (angiosperms). Additionally, they have higher bee classification are fully presented and ecological roles as energy/nutrient cyclers and referenced with almost 2,500 bibliographic cita- agents of bioturbation. Almost 20,000 species have tions. This magnificent tome is the bee bible and been described worldwide, but until now, no sys- will remain the most used reference in this field tematic treatment has been available to generic for many decades to come. Chapters on general and subgeneric levels. Proper identification of bees biology, ecology, floral biology, and parasitic bees is necessary not just for museum systematists but are presented early on. One added feature is the for many other end users, including botanists, flo- magnificent color photographs contributed to the ral biologists, entomologists, conservation biolo- project by the dean of North American insect pho- gists, students, restoration ecologists, land manag- tographers, E S Ross. They add much interest to ers, and policymakers. All of these groups have the the volume, for entomologists and biologists not need to identify bee specimens collected for vari- formally trained in the study of bees. ous purposes at diverse sites around the world. Michener treats topics on global bee diversity Until now, this knowledge has been disparate, and (for example, why many more bees inhabit xeric not synthesized in one modern volume. Tradition- deserts and savannahs of the world), species rich- ally, specimens are sent to a museum researcher ness, and abundance. Many regions have certain and the identification client must wait up to a year lineages that are far more abundant than others. to get results. This is largely because there are very The family Colletidae in Australia is a prime exam- few entomologists specializing in the identification ple. Bee biogeography, dispersal, and evolutionary of native bees. With the publication of The Bees of history are also treated in general, and more spe- the World by the undisputed “king bee” world cifically as each genus and subgenus is treated authority, Charles D Michener of the University of throughout the book. There are discussions of fam- Kansas, more individuals will be able to sort out ily group names (Michener recognizes 7 bee fam- their own identifications using the precise and ilies, 22 subfamilies, 56 tribes, and 423 genera richly illustrated taxonomic keys in this magnifi- worldwide). Approximately 17,000 species com- cent volume. It is a magnum opus worthy of the prise these groupings. This is his most thorough title, the culmination of over 50 years of tireless classification and modern treatment since his pre- efforts on bee taxonomy and ecology by the world’s scient 1944 treatise (Bulletin of the American Museum foremost practitioner. of Natural History 82:151–326). The Bees of the World is separated into 119 sections. The taxonomic treatments are incredibly pre- These subsections are devoted to individual topics cise, detailed, and accurate. The keys to the sub- or bee taxa, but are not long enough to be consid- genera and other taxa especially good. Through- ered regular chapters. Given the diverse nature of out these taxonomic treatments, there are the world’s bee fauna, this was perhaps the only way explanatory photographs and detailed line draw- to deal with the staggering amount of information ings to guide users through difficult couplets and in an easily retrievable fashion. The first 28 sections morphological choices. are designed to bring neophytes and accomplished The only small drawback to this volume is its melittologists to the same level, and to describe the price, which will keep many of its intended users, morphologic and taxonomic terminology that is especially students and faculty in Mexico and other used by the author. In these early sections of the countries, from obtaining it. High prices imposed book, Michener treats the concept of bees (as apart by publishers for limited run, but significant schol- from wasps) their ecological importance, floral arly works, are major impediments to wide dissem-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 335 ination and, ultimately, the reason for scientific observing and collecting tiger beetles, and the sec- publishing in the first place. Melittologists, conser- ond provides a very short summary of the natural vation biologists, botanists, and hymenopterists can history of the tiger beetle genera of the world. The hope that enough university libraries will purchase second appendix is probably too brief to be of copies to make it somewhat more accessible to its great value to tiger beetle enthusiasts, but it does intended readership. I, for one, would enjoy seeing provide illustrations of the variation in tiger beetle an electronic edition of the book available in a CD- morphology and anecdotal comments about mem- ROM format in the future. That would make it bers of most genera. available to many more bee workers, especially in The authors conclude their book with the fol- countries other than the United States. lowing statement: “We hope that the insight from Stephen L Buchmann, Ecology & Evolutionary these types of studies on tiger beetles will provide Biology, University of Arizona and The Bee Works, ideas for investigating many other taxa and help Tucson, Arizona lead to better understanding of the evolution of diversity” (p 247). They have succeeded in writing a book that is not only essential to those who study Tiger Beetles: The Evolution, Ecology, and tiger beetles, but which also provides a window into Diversity of the Cicindelids. Cornell Series in what studies of other organisms should seek to Arthropod Biology. accomplish. By David L Pearson and Alfried P Vogler. Comstock W Wyatt Hoback, Biology, University of Nebraska, Publishing Associates. Ithaca (New York): Cornell Uni- Kearney, Nebraska -pl; ill.; tax 29 ם p 333 ם versity Press. $39.95. xv onomic and subject indexes. ISBN: 0-8014-3882- 9. 2001. Annual Review of Entomology. Volume 47: 2002. This book is coauthored by David Pearson, a Edited by May R Berenbaum, Ring T Carde´, and Gene researcher who has worked for more than 25 years E Robinson. Palo Alto (California): Annual Reviews. pl; ill.; subject index 6 ם p 1005 ם on the biogeography, community structure, and $67.00. xi diversity of tiger beetles, and by Alfried Vogler, a and cumulative indexes (contributing authors molecular biologist who has conducted extensive and chapter titles, Volumes 38-47). ISBN: 0-8243- phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses on tiger 0147-1. 2002. beetles. Those who are unfamiliar with tiger beetles may ask several questions: Why was such a specialized book written about a group of insects that, The Physiological Ecology of Vertebrates: A in terms of species diversity among insects, is a View from Energetics. depauperate group comprised of about 2,300 spe- By Brian Keith McNab; Foreword by James H Brown. cies? Which book on tiger beetles should be Comstock Publishing Associates. Ithaca (New York): ;.p; ill 576 ם perused (Pearson and Vogler’s book joins four Cornell University Press. $75.00. xxvii other books on tiger beetles published in the last taxonomic and subject indexes. ISBN: 0-8014- five years)? What readers will find is a fascinating 3913-2. 2002. synthesis of one of the most-studied groups of bee- Not long ago while chatting with a biochemist/ tles explained in well-written prose with careful molecular biologist colleague, I stated what to me editing (performed by John Alcock). is a truism: that no two factors have greater signif- Readers will be treated to a discourse on why icance in the biology of higher organisms than tiger beetles present a model group to investigate temperature and body size. Incredulous, he asked a wide range of questions in a number of biological how I could so easily dismiss the fact that over 60% disciplines, including cladistics, behavior, ecology, of the genome is devoted to cell machinery that is physiology, and genetics. Using the backdrop of common to most eukaryote life-forms. The diver- tiger beetles, Pearson and Vogler present a well- gence between our two viewpoints defines one of referenced (over 430 citations) summary of the fundamental differences between cell biolo- research discussing important biological questions, gists and whole-organism, evolutionary ecologists. including species definitions and genetics, bioge- Neither perspective is wrong. Cell and molecular ography, the roles of biotic and abiotic factors in biologists are interested in the strong, relatively the ecology of a group of closely related organisms, invariant signal common to most life-forms and conservation. The text is written in language (remember the Krebs cycle?), while evolutionary that both seasoned biologists and amateurs will physiological ecologists are interested in how envi- appreciate and is illustrated with a multitude of fig- ronment superimposes what I like to think of as ures and photographs. The book includes two “harmonics” on this fundamental signal by shaping appendixes: the first presents useful guidelines for and fine-tuning organisms through the process of

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 336 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 adaptation. This book is about these “harmonics,” will “take flack” for many of his ideas, but I am also which to evolutionary biologists and physiological confident that this book will be a landmark, form- ecologists represent the rich diversity of life-forms, ing and guiding the thinking of many developing functions, and physiological strategies found on physiological ecologists. Although many textbooks our planet. include sections on physiological ecology, in my Because energy can be viewed as the common opinion this is the first volume truly dedicated to currency of life and because temperature and body this rapidly expanding field. I do not hesitate to size have such a strong nonlinear effect on energy recommend The Physiological Ecology of Vertebrates: A requirements and expenditures of both homeo- View from Energetics as interesting reading and a therms and heterotherms, McNab has (wisely, I solid foundation for upper-level undergraduate or would say) chosen to present the field of physio- graduate courses in physiology ecology. logical ecology from an energetic perspective. The Don Thomas, Biology, University of Sherbrooke, Sher- Physiological Ecology of Vertebrates is comprised of 14 brooke, Quebec, Canada chapters grouped into five parts. In the first part (Foundations), McNab identifies physiological ecology as focusing on “the malleable features of Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and physiology that . . . contribute to the increased the Northeast. Comstock Books in Herpetology. reproduction of a species” (p 3), immediately By Arthur C Hulse, C J McCoy, and Ellen Censky; establishing an evolutionary perspective. He then illustrated by Linda Witt Fries. Comstock Publishing presents the physical processes that determine the Associates. Ithaca (New York): Cornell University .pl; ill.; index 133 ם p 419 ם flow of energy (heat) and material between organ- Press. $39.95. xi isms and the environment. Part II (Thermal ISBN: 0-8014-3768-7. 2001. Exchange with the Environment) is comprised of This is a comprehensive natural history of the her- three chapters that deal with scaling of metabolism petofauna of the northeastern United States with and temperature regulation by ectotherms and an emphasis on Pennsylvania. Building on C J endotherms. The third part (Material Exchange McCoy’s publication, Amphibians and Reptiles in with the Environment) also contains three chap- Pennsylvania: Checklist, Bibliography, and Atlas of Dis- ters that discuss the physiological challenges posed tribution (1982. Pittsburgh (PA): Carnegie Museum by osmotic, water, salt, and gas exchange in aquatic of Natural History), this book synthesizes a wealth and terrestrial environments and the evolutionary of new information on the regional herpetofauna transition between the two. The four chapters that from the literature and the authors’ field surveys comprise Part IV (Ecological Energetics) deal with over the past two decades. the cost of locomotion, the components of energy This book is separated into three main parts: a budgets, how these budgets are balanced over daily concise introduction and substantial, information- and seasonal time frames, and nutrient and energy rich sections on Amphibia and Reptilia organized extraction from the perspective of digestive func- by family and species. The introduction begins with tion. The final part (Consequences) consists of two brief reviews of the physiography and vegetation of chapters in which McNab discusses his view of how the region as well as amphibian and reptile collec- physiological and energetic constraints not only tion and observation methods. An illustrated shape the population ecology and life-history strat- dichotomous key to the salamanders, frogs and egies of vertebrates, but also set distribution limits toads, turtles, lizards, and snakes of the region, for many species. with both larval and adult keys for amphibians, McNab is known as a prolific researcher of met- concludes the introduction. The identification abolic patterns of vertebrates, an ardent propo- keys are largely free of technical jargon, but a com- nent of ecological and phylogenetic causation prehensive glossary provides definitions of terms underlying variation in these patterns, and the cre- that may be unfamiliar to some readers. Over 130 ator of “McNabian space” graphics. Readers will color plates of amphibians and reptiles supple- find abundant examples of all three traits. The ment the line drawings of external identification author should, however, be applauded for having characters used in the keys. produced a book that covers a vast territory, coher- The bulk of the book is devoted to individual ently integrates an immense current literature species accounts that provide detailed information (approximately 3000 references), offers controver- on physical characteristics (size, sexual dimor- sial and thought-provoking speculation on the evo- phism, color), confusing species (i.e., species of lutionary pathways leading to and functional sig- similar appearance that may complicate identifi- nificance of observed patterns, and supports ideas cation), habitat and habits (seasonal activity, hiber- and arguments with a large number of empirical, nation, food, foraging behavior), reproduction case study examples. I have no doubt that McNab (breeding behavior, developmental time, size of

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 337 eggs and juveniles), and distribution (described species in the United States and Canada. The verbally for both range and region and illustrated major geographic deviations are accounts of four by regional maps). A remarks section adds useful species of Cyprinodontidae and one cyprinid that data on rarity, conservation status, hybridization, occur primarily in Mexico, middle America or Ven- vocalization, and other subjects. The species ezuela, and accounts for a European mudminnow accounts are well referenced with a balance of clas- and two Mexican blindcats that are restricted to sic and recent literature. subterranean environments. Chapter 18 ends with This informative, affordable book will be of use numerous accounts of coastal blennies (Blenni- to a wide audience, including educators, research- idae), gobies (Gobiidae), and sleepers (Eleotridae) ers, students, land managers, and others interested that mostly require full strength seawater or some in the natural history of amphibians and reptiles amount of saline solution for aquarium study and of Pennsylvania and the northeastern United keeping. Much of the information presented in the States. I highly recommend this volume as a sup- final 12 chapters is superficial and lacks reference plement to existing regional amphibian and reptile to the primary literature from which it was taken. field guides and as an important natural history Why provide so much space on characters for iden- resource. It has already become an integral part of tification when few species are actually identifiable my field library. from the information presented? Why write an Charles E Williams, Biology, Clarion University entire chapter on collecting regulations and proof Pennsylvania, Clarion, Pennsylvania tected species and then in the species accounts provide information (sometimes specific) on where and how to collect at least 32 federally protected Amphibians of Central and Southern Africa. species? Why are cavefishes and large sturgeons Comstock Books in Herpetology. included? Errors of omission and commission are By Alan Channing. Comstock Publishing Associates. numerous, including photographs in which the Ithaca (New York): Cornell University Press. $49.95. fish is misidentified and accounts in which the bio- -pl; ill.; systematic and alpha 24 ם p 470 ם xi logical information is misleading, incomplete, or betical indexes. ISBN: 0-8014-3865-9. 2001. incorrect. Some well-known species (e.g., northern pike, muskellunge) that attain large size, but can be kept in aquaria as young and juveniles, lack an American Aquarium Fishes. The W. L. Moody, Jr. account even when other species (e.g., sturgeons Natural History Series, Volume 28. and gars) that reach large size are included. By Robert J Goldstein; with Rodney W Harper and Embarrassingly, lead photographer William N Ros- Richard Edwards; photographs by William F Roston, Richard Bryant, Fred C Rohde, Garold Sneegas, and ton has his name and photograph credits listed as Robert J Goldstein. College Station (Texas): Texas William F Roston throughout the entire book. We -do not consider this work to be a technical refer 118 ם p 428 ם A&M University Press. $99.95. xiii pl; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-89096-880-2. 2000. ence, but it does inform potential aquarists of the This attractive volume includes 18 chapters, the opportunities to study, photograph, breed, and first six of which cover introduction, distribution rear a number of North America’s most attractive of fishes, collecting and transporting fishes, col- fishes. The color photographs alone may be worth lecting regulations, use of plants in aquaria (by the price of the book. Richard Edwards), and foods and feeding. These Brooks M Burr and S Reid Adams, Zoology, chapters are informative and clearly useful to any- Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois one interested in aquarium fish keeping or breeding. The remaining 12 chapters are devoted to species accounts (with information on taxonomy, The Cuban Treefrog in Florida: Life History identification, distribution, habitat, and life his- of a Successful Colonizing Species. tory) of mostly North American freshwater fishes By Walter E Meshaka, Jr. Gainesville (Florida): Uni- ;.p; ill 191 ם that vary from one sentence (e.g., sicklefin chub) versity Press of Florida. $69.95. xxiii to over a page in length (e.g., bluehead shiner). index. ISBN: 0-8130-2109-X. 2001. The text is enhanced by 261 black-and-white pho- King and Krakauer (1966. Quarterly Journal of the tographs and pen-and-ink illustrations of fishes, Florida Academy of Sciences 29:144–154) first sum- aquatic plants, and collecting activities. Serious marized the exotic herpetofauna of southern Flor- hobbyists will be intrigued by the 119 color pho- ida, and since then this topic has received consid- tographs of some of North America’s most spectac- erable attention. Over the last four decades, ular minnows, sunfishes, darters, and other small, approximately 40 species of introduced amphibi- aquarium-sized fishes in nuptial coloration. ans and reptiles have been reported in the wild Goldstein’s synthesis includes an account for from Florida as having established (i.e., breeding nearly every described (and some undescribed) for multiple generations) and widespread popula-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 338 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 tions; established, but localized populations; pres- zoologists, and educated laics might learn a lot ently extirpated populations; or nonestablished, from reading it. but localized, isolated incidences. The Cuban tree- The opening chapter generalizes about the frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis), the focus of this problems that turtles face and how they have book, certainly falls within the first category as an coped. Next is a chapter on the attempts to deter- established and widespread species. mine turtle ancestry, a rather detailed and complex The book is organized into 14 chapters, which chapter to grasp. The following chapters discuss provides readers with many useful details that are the side-necked or pleurodire turtles and the cryp- sure to be cited in future publications. The evolu- todires or hidden-necked turtles. The brief descrip- tionary origin, probable means of introduction in tions contain comments about their distributions, Florida, and range expansion of the Cuban treefrog habits, and miscellany remarks about their lives throughout the peninsula is given (Chapter 2) since and their roles in a man dominated world. The first being reported by Barbour (1931. Copeia remaining chapters include discussions of the 1931(3):140). Natural history data including habi- physiological aspects of turtle life, longevity, habitat, diet, predation, behavior, as well as aspects of tats, feeding, and reproductive biology. A chapter the entire life cycle are examined with large sample on sea turtles, their migrations, and habits follows sizes. Reproductive cycles (Chapter 5) and seasonal and, finally, chapters on perils on land and perils activity (Chapter 7) for both genders is effectively in the sea. These latter chapters can provoke great summarized. What really makes this book interest- sympathy for turtles, besieged as they are by nature ing is that the author provides the numerous rea- and man. sons why the Cuban treefrog, as opposed to other Typographical errors are more than usual. The species, has become such a successful colonizer in author admits Chelonia is an outdated name, but Florida (Chapters 12 and 13). Although not limited uses it in a couple of tables. Orenstein fails to com- to only characteristics of the Cuban treefrog, the ment on why baby red-eared turtles are not sold in author also provides interesting details about the U.S. pet shops, that the intromittent organs are Everglades ecosystem and history of Everglades hemipenes, that softshelled turtles have a five- National Park and adjacent areas (Chapter 3). lobed hemipenis, and for sea turtles and giant tor- Although Meshaka states that his specimens have toises mention of weights reached. He is contra- been deposited in systematic collections, it would be dictory in calling Cenozoic a period in one place nice to include an appendix of specimens examined and an era elsewhere. The numerous color illus- so others can use these specimens in future studies. trations are excellent, but he does not refer in text There is no credible evidence for listing Python mol- to the photograph that illustrates a statement. urus as part of the Everglades National Park (ENP) The praise in my opening paragraph stands and herpetofauna (Table 3.2). These isolated occur- I highly recommend this book for enjoyable and rences undoubtedly represent released animals, and instructive reading. there are no “populations” of this species within Harold A Dundee, Museum of Natural History, ENP nor elsewhere in Florida. There are numerous Tulane University, Belle Chasse, Louisiana typographical errors scattered throughout the book. Despite these few criticisms, this volume accomplished multiple achievements. Because the audi- The Snakes of Trinidad and Tobago. The W. L. ence for which this book is written includes both Moody, Jr., Natural History Series, Number 31. laics and professional herpetologists, it provides By Hans E A Boos. College Station (Texas): Texas ם ם basic knowledge of the Cuban treefrog. It also should serve as a template for how future in-depth A&M University Press. $47.95. xvi 270 p 48 ecological studies should be conducted. pl; ill.; index. ISBN: 1-58544-116-3. 2001. Kenneth L Krysko, Herpetology, Florida Museum Even though quite a few herpetologists and natu- of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, ralists have visited and written about Trinidad, few Florida have dealt with the snakes of Tobago. Thus, readers will welcome a book about the snakes of both islands by Hans Boos who for thirty years has stud- Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins: Survivors in ied and cared for the amphibians and reptiles of Armor. these two continental Caribbean islands. By Ronald Orenstein. Buffalo (New York): Firefly The book is well organized and contains prac- p; ill.; index. ISBN: 1- tically all that is known about the snakes of this 308 ם Books. $45.00. xii 55209-605-X. 2001. tiny, but intriguing, twin-island nation. After Although the author is an ornithologist, his book briefly reviewing the climate, topography, and is a beautiful rendition on the turtle world, very geology of the two islands, the author comments instructive, and a delight to read. Herpetologists, on snake habitats and the herpetological history.

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 339

It begins from early travelers and offers delight- into five sections corresponding, in order, to turtles, fully exaggerated stories and fantastic tales about lizards, worm lizards (amphisbaenians), crocodiles, snakes from 1665 on. The modern work spans and snakes. After the species accounts there are two from 1926 to present and reviews the herpetolo- sets of color figures on Reptile Biology (19 figures) gists who have studied and reported on the and Reptile Habitats (18 figures). The book con- islands’ snakes. The chapter, Taxonomy and Spe- cludes with seven appendixes: Notes on Snakebite; cies Accounts, describes the 47 species and subspe- Local Names; Gazetteer; Glossary; References; Sci- cies of snakes found on the islands (44 on Trinidad entific Index; and Common Name Index. and 21 on Tobago). Only one of them, the false The authors state that they “prepared this book coral snake, Oxyrhopus ocellatus, is endemic to to meet a major need in East Africa . . . [it being] Tobago. The species and subspecies descriptions the first book to list and describe all the East Afri- include localities, range, local name, natural his- can reptiles and map their distributions, as known tory, and notes on systematics. A line drawing illus- at present” (p 8). They consider East Africa to trates the head scales of each of the seven families include only Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, represented on the islands. The venomous species, and Burundi. Therefore, the coverage is more Elapids and Viperids, are treated in more detail accurately described as central East Africa, or Equa- including folklore, superstitions, and accidents. torial East Africa. Interesting stories deal with the more visible spe- The introductory sections are useful and include cies—anacondas, bushmasters, coral snakes, pit the right amount of detail for a field guide. I was vipers, and boa constrictors. Most of the species are disappointed only in the section on zoogeography. illustrated either in black and white or in color. The The authors identify zoogeographic regions and chapter, Snakebite, provides a wealth of information list some characteristic reptile species for each one. about venom, accidents, antidotes, and popular They also provide a brief account of historical treatments, as well as medicinal plants used in snake- changes in geology and climates in the region, bite treatment. Popular remedies include the curi- along with comments on the likely influences of ous Belgian Black Stone, a popular but apparently these changes on reptilian distribution. Missing is ineffective snakebite remedy. The book has a glos- a coherent account of centers of high species diver- sary and full bibliography about the snakes of Trin- sity and endemism, and the biogeographic rela- idad and Tobago. tionships among centers of endemism. Perhaps, For students and nonherpetology snake lovers it however, this is asking too much of a field guide. I could be useful to have the names of head scales was also disappointed that a simple table listing the shown on the outlines for all the families. Most of number of species in each taxon and the total fau- the color plates are good to excellent quality that nal diversity was not included. The appendixes are enable one to identify the species, but some of well conceived and contribute greatly to the use- them are a little too small. A key for identification fulness and value of the book. The section on of the species would certainly enhance the value of snakebites is particularly important. the book. A few spelling errors were apparent. The species accounts include simple and easy-to- The book is appealing and well illustrated, and understand binomial keys to families, genera, and the information is thorough and well documented. species, along with drawings that illustrate some of Descriptions and history are carefully presented the characteristics used for identification. There and the systematics offer the most updated infor- are brief accounts of the orders, families, and gen- mation available. Herpetologists as well as nature era. The species accounts include sections on iden- lovers will find this volume useful and entertaining. Janis Roze, Biology, City College of New York, City tification, habitat and distribution, and natural his- University of New York, New York, New York tory. Both the scientific and common names are given, but the original author and year that the species was described are not given. Similarly, there A Field Guide to the Reptiles of East Africa: are no references to the most recent authorities for Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. the systematics of the groups, and sources of infor- By Stephen Spawls, Kim Howell, Robert Drewes, and mation on distribution, ecology, and natural his- James Ashe; Consultants: Alex Duff-MacKay and Har- tory are lacking. A small distribution map is pro- ald Hinkel. San Diego (California): Academic Press. vided for each species showing its distribution in $49.95. 543 p; ill.; scientific and common name East Africa, but not the entire range of the species. indexes. ISBN: 0-12-656470-1. 2002. Notes are given, however, concerning the occur- The first 32 pages of this book include useful intro- rence of each species outside the delimited area. ductory information about aspects of reptile keep- Most species are illustrated with small, but gener- ing, photography, conservation, identification, and ally excellent, color photographs. classification. The species accounts are separated Information presented in the species accounts is

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 340 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 interesting and pertinent, and in some cases is the include a page on the topography of a bird—this only information available on the natural history volume provides four, with photographs and of some of the more poorly known species. There detailed labels. There is also an extensive section are some factual errors and odd omissions scat- on hummingbird topography, which includes dis- tered throughout the volume. For example, the cussions of the bill, head, wings, and tail. The intro- authors indicate that the gecko genus Urocotyledon ductory section provides details on molt, voice, is a monophyletic African group with the single wing noise, habitat, and behavior. species restricted to Tanzania. The genus, however, After a three-page section explaining how to use is neither monophyletic nor restricted to Africa. the guide, the rest of the book contains short par- There are three African species of Urocotyledon and agraphs on each genus, and several pages on each a fourth one in the Seychelles Islands. If the genus species. The genus accounts are redundant with has been reduced to monophyly through recent similar paragraphs in the introduction, but the spe- taxonomic revision of which I am unaware, then cies accounts are comprehensively done and very the single species would have to be Seychellean, useful. The author provides identification sum- because the Seychelles form, U. inexpectata, is the maries, followed by information on taxonomy, size type species of the genus. Similarly, the authors are and distribution, and range. Howell supplies a wrong in stating that the gecko genus Ebenavia is detailed description of identification characteris- monophyletic. A second species of this genus was tics, including discussions of similar species, voice, described in 1998. behavior, molt, and hybrids. Each species account These scattered errors are largely unimportant includes several photographs, which illustrate basic and will not be noticed by most users of this book. identification markers as well as advanced consid- The volume is well produced, largely free of typo- erations such as variation between sexes, ages, and molt conditions. The book is exceptional in pro- graphical and spelling errors, printed on high viding such a valuable identification tool, com- quality paper, and strongly bound in signatures. bined with a readable and informative discussion Because it is hard cover, it will be a bit unwieldy for of hummingbird biology. It is a guide that many use in the field. But this outstanding book is not will find informative and enjoyable. just for naturalists who plan to travel in equatorial John P Roche, Biology, Boston College, Chestnut East Africa. It is a must for every amateur and pro- Hill, Massachusetts fessional student of herpetology. Ronald A Nussbaum, Herpetology, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,Michigan Sunbirds: A Guide to the Sunbirds, Flower- peckers, Spiderhunters, and Sugarbirds of the World. Hummingbirds of North America: The Photo- By Robert A Cheke and Clive F Mann; illustrated by graphic Guide. Richard Allen. New Haven (Connecticut): Yale Uni- By Steve N G Howell. San Diego (California): Aca- versity Press. $50.00. 384 p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-300- ם demic Press. $29.95 (paper). ix 219 p; ill.; 08940-6. 2001. index. ISBN: 0-12-356955-9. 2002. During the last decade, books dealing with a par- There are several field and behavioral guides to ticular group (often a family) of birds have become North American hummingbirds available, but the popular with publishers. Such volumes are very current volume is the only one to comprehensively useful to the few scientists engaged in comparative document field identifications of Nearctic hum- studies, to collectors of bird books, and to those mingbirds photographically. This alone makes the interested in a particular family of birds. The pres- book exceptional, but it has many other good qual- ent book, covering the sunbirds and their allies, ities, particularly an extensive 34-page introduction has to be judged by the standard set by a consid- and detailed accounts of all 24 North American erable number of other volumes that have been species. published during the last decade, mainly due to The introduction is so comprehensive it is like a the efforts of Oxford University Press, publisher of distillation of a textbook, and yet it is also highly the series, Bird Families of the World; and Yale Uni- readable throughout. The introduction describes versity Press, publisher of the series, A Guide to the hummingbird essentials such as phylogeny, func- (family name) of the World. Potential readers of tional anatomy, feeding and energetics, and breed- such books expect to get a short introduction to ing, and then goes on to explain the basics and the characteristics and biology of the family being nuances of field identification, including consid- dealt with, followed by a species-by-species descrip- eration of factors such as variation, hybrids, and tion of various aspects of their biology, together viewing environment. Most avian field guides with pictures. The introduction to this book, how-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 341 ever, is too short and cursory, occupying only 16 As with previous volumes, the color plates are out of 384 pages. It is a pity that the authors did superb, with each species depicted by sex and age not use some of the detailed information they pres- forms, and also including major geographic forms ent in the species accounts in order to create a and, occasionally, flight features. Large range maps more adequate introductory chapter. On the other are provided. hand, the species section is very satisfactory and This volume deserves a place on the shelf of any provides a comprehensive and updated descrip- ornithologist interested in the Australasian avi- tion of what is known on sunbirds, and the draw- fauna. One will not take the set into the field: each ings are accurate and attractive. volume weighs several pounds. The work is a trib- There are several shortcomings: the font size in ute to the Royal Australasian Ornithologists’ this volume (as well as in other books in this series) Union (now known as Birds Australia) and Oxford is uncomfortably small, and even smaller in the ref- University Press. erence section. All species are numbered, but their Allen Keast, Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, order in the plates is sometimes confusing, often Ontario, Canada because they are not sorted by running number. For example, Plate 18 includes species 60, 137, 78, The Flight of the Emu: A Hundred Years of and 79. References are provided at the end of the Australian Ornithology, 1901–2001. description of each species, but are sometimes also By Libby Robin. Melbourne (Australia): Melbourne quoted in the text, and it is difficult to know why ;.pl; ill 24 ם p 492 ם University Press. $69.95. xi certain works are cited in the text and others not. index. ISBN: 0-522-84987-3. 2001. Some of the maps of Africa are distorted, appar- This handsome, clearly and entertainingly written, ently in order to fit them into one of the two col- and profusely illustrated volume traces the history umns of the page. of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists’ Union I recommend this volume for ornithologists (now known as Birds Australia). Topics discussed looking for information on species of sunbirds, include a century of ornithology in Australia; the and hope that the next edition will include a more national ornithological union; collectors, collec- comprehensive introduction. tions, and discovery; Gregory Mathews and the Yoram Yom-Tov, Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel 1926 Checklist; the education, protection, and col- Aviv, Israel lecting controversy; the reunification of conservation and ornithology; a national bird-banding scheme; CSIRO, museums, and universities in the Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Ant- post-war era; the 1974 (Canberra) International arctic Birds. Volume 5: Tyrant-flycatchers to Chats. Ornithological Congress; field guides, atlases, and Senior Editors: P J Higgins, J M Peter, and W K Steele; observatories; conservation in the age of biodiver- Assistant Editors: G D Price and C M Myers; edited by sity; and later developments at the end of the cen- K Y Al-Dabbagh et al.; colour illustrations by P Mar- tury. There is an extensive list of “who’s who in sack, P Slater, K Franklin, M J Bamford, F Knight, Australian ornithology,” with all the more impor- and D J Onley. Oxford and New York: Oxford Univer- tant ornithologists receiving a paragraph; a list of pl; ill.; indexes past presidents and secretaries; documentation of 44 ם sity Press. $250.00. 1269 p to scientific and English names. ISBN: 0-19- congresses and field camps; a list of Australian bird 553258-9. 2001. journals; and an honor roll of member wartime The fifth volume in the comprehensive Austral- veterans. asian bird handbook series covers 118 species, The book is remarkable for its comprehensive- including the Acanthisittidae (New Zealand ness. There are 24 full-page color plates, some meaningfully reproduced from early issues of the wrens), pittas, lyrebirds, scrub-birds, Australasian journal Emu, and others of species of special inter- treecreepers, the malurid wrens (22 species), and est or conservation importance. They are sup- honeyeaters and Australian chats (76 species). ported by 400 black-and-white photographs that Individual species mostly receive ten to 18 pages of illustrate just about every phase of bird study, activ- information. With the use of a small font, just ities, and personnel through the 100 years of his- about everything that is known about each species tory. The book, with its emphasis on history and is included. Detailed treatment is given to field personalities, will be received with interest by orni- identification, habitat and occurrence, distribu- thologists everywhere. tion, seasonal movements (and banding results), What criticisms do I have of the work? These are food, social organization and behavior, voice and difficult to muster. As an academic insistent on calls, breeding, plumage, molts, and geographic emphasizing the contributions of ornithology to variation. A reference list is included at the end. science, I would have preferred a discussion of this

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 342 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 subject. Due to its space limitations, this is beyond deliver successfully what the title promises, and is the volume’s objectives. a must-read for anyone involved with this big bird. Allen Keast, Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ryno J Naude´, Biochemistry & Microbiology, Uni- Ontario, Canada versity of Port Elizabeth, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

The Ostrich: Biology, Production and Health. North American Tree Squirrels. Edited by D C Deeming. Wallingford (United King- By Michael A Steele and John L Koprowski. Washing- ton (DC): Smithsonian Institution Press. $24.95. xiii ם dom) and New York: CABI Publishing. $110.00. x .p; ill.; index. ISBN: 1-56098-986-6. 2001 201 ם .p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-85199-350-8. 1999 358 The editor of this volume succeeds not only in con- The authors wrote this book to share the process densing expert knowledge on ostrich biology, proof scientific discovery and the wonderful world of duction, and health, but also highlights gaps in cur- the highly evolved tree squirrel with seasoned biol- rent scientific understanding of the ostrich, with ogists, amateur naturalists, and casual readers. suggestions for further research in the field. Chal- They succeeded. The book begins with the ques- lenges facing the marketing of ostrich products tion, Why Squirrels?, and follows with body plan, include the need to expand meat markets, as well habitat, diet, patch use, cache, seeds and squirrels, as to explore new markets for hides, which must reproduction, social behavior, and population be counterbalanced by the maintenance of top ecology. They cover the literature on the genus quality products and maximum profitability. Sciurus well, and do so in a friendly way. In general, ratites correspond well anatomically The book is well written for diverse audiences. to other birds, but differences in the respiratory There are distracting anomalies of metric conver- system are worth investigating. Physiology, osmo- sion—English units are reported to two decimal regulation, thermoregulation, respiration, metab- places (e.g., 24.85 ounces), precision that is not olism, and the endocrine system of the ostrich are significant. Jargon is mixed with mostly clear lan- considered. Of particular interest is the aspect of guage. Tactile is used where touch would do, sym- neoteny related to thyroid function, and its impor- patric instead of occurring together. Even when tance in the evolution of ostriches and other rat- the writing is muddled with jargon, however, the ites. The behavior of ostriches, in both natural and meaning is clear. Some circular arguments farming habitats, is described, with emphasis on appear—explaining the adaptive value of the same the relevance of more appropriate husbandry tech- pelage color with contrasting environmental con- niques. This would enhance individual bird per- ditions. There are good discussions of anatomic formance, a valuable tool for farmers. Further adaptations for arboreal travel and seed consump- study is needed into digestion and nutrition, which tion. And some silly writing that concludes that the are very relevant and of cardinal importance for function of vestigial premolars is unknown. Some the successful farming of ostriches. Feeding guidelines, for genetically improved ostriches with explanations are lacking, for example, that the tree greater growth capacity, need to be established. squirrels have long vibrissae because of their struc- There is still a great lack of understanding con- turally and spatially complex arboreal environment cerning reproduction in ostriches, with many fac- (where vision would be paramount; one would ets still to be studied. Sexual behavior, endocrinol- expect vibrissae would be more important in dark ogy, manipulation of reproductive function, and burrows). Many explanations are compelling. reproductive anomalies, in both male and female Thus, the book proffers educators and students ostriches, are identified as areas where urgent with multiple opportunities to teach and learn— study is needed. how to write and edit technical subjects, to critically A detailed discussion on commercial incubation examine the logic of arguments, to do science— of ostrich eggs and the requirements of the with a vehicle that is an interesting story that is embryo during different phases is presented. Rear- clearly, but imperfectly, told. Moreover, the authors ing environments also enjoy some coverage, as do repeatedly present compelling stories of scientific slaughter, marketing, advertising, and develop- discovery, of addressing large questions through ment of different products. The worldwide expan- continued refinement, and movement from field sion of the ostrich industry over the past two observations to laboratory experimentation. These decades is reflected in the intensification of man- stories are nicely told and good reading for begin- agement of all aspects of the industry. In spite of ning biologists or natural historians. Or just for this, ostrich farming is still in its infancy compared fun. to the poultry industry, stressing the need for more Andrew B Carey, Pacific Northwest Research Sta- research and development. This book manages to tion, USDA Forest Service, Olympia, Washington

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 343

Desert Puma: Evolutionary Ecology and Con- carpal tunnel syndrome, and late, late nights that servation of an Enduring Carnivore. come from any large writing endeavor. In my opin- By Kenneth A Logan and Linda L Sweanor; Foreword ion, the result is a good one, and I appreciate that by Maurice G Hornocker. Washington (DC): Island they were able to put it together. In the scientific Press. $70.00 (hardcover); $45.00 (paper). xxxi world where we strive for “replicates,” it is doubtful pl; ill.; index. ISBN: 1-55963-866- that many groups will reproduce such a thorough 12 ם p 463 ם 4 (hc); 1-55963-867-2 (pb). 2001. look at a population of pumas over the long term This new book presents the results of the longest as Logan and Sweanor did. and most complete puma study that I am aware Stan Cunningham, Arizona Game & Fish Depart- of. I found it highly informative and easy to read, ment, Phoenix, Arizona with a less technical but thorough review of the authors’ own data and that of others. In my opinion, it is a “must read” for anyone interested in Carnivore Conservation. Conservation Biology, mountain lions, and particularly those who are Volume 5. new to mountain lion research or management. Edited by John L Gittleman, Stephan M Funk, David Besides the authors’ own data, readers will find W Macdonald, and Robert K Wayne. Published by an excellent literature review of systematics and Cambridge University Press, Cambridge and New York, evolutionary origin, capture techniques, popula- in association with The Zoological Society of London. ם tion demographics and social structure, diet, and $130.00 (hardcover); $49.95 (paper). xiv 675 conservation. Unlike journals, where space is p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-521-66232-X (hc); 0-521- understandably limited and methods and com- 66537-X (pb). 2001. plete explanations of results are often very brief, This comprehensive book addresses the key issues readers will be able to understand how and why and obstacles facing the world’s carnivores in the 21st century. Perhaps more than any other taxon, Logan and Sweanor collected their data, and how carnivores elicit the full range of human emotions: they came to their conclusions. I found the sum- from fear—based partly on age-old myth and mary and statistics sections at the end of each superstition and partly on the fact that carnivores chapter helpful, and it reduced the cumbersome do kill to survive—to awe and respect for the skill, role of reading through lines of P values with asso- cunning, and strength embodied by predators. ciated statistics. In some cases, I wondered if statis- Large carnivores in particular often inhabit exten- tics were necessary; why use population estimators sive territories and come in direct conflict or com- when you know about the whole population? The petition with humans. As a result, carnivores con- data are that complete in some instances. front a daunting array of policy, management, and Although many of the authors’ conclusions will biological challenges. spark new debates, one cannot disagree with the From genetics to invasive species to the difficulties thoroughness of their data, and the rigorous of predator restoration, Carnivore Conservation design used to experimentally manipulate large adeptly brings experts from diverse disciplines carnivore numbers. I also appreciated their frank- together in a single volume to examine these topics. ness with possible differences resulting from study- Part 1 identifies the past and current problems in ing a more isolated puma population and the need carnivore conservation, Part 2 discusses possible for further study on more contiguous puma pop- approaches and solutions, and Part 3 outlines pros- ulations. The conservation section is thought pro- pects for future research and conservation initia- voking, and I believe the zone management tives. This volume will be a useful tool to biologists scheme has merit and may even be affordable in working in the field of carnivore conservation, as today’s financially strapped management agency well as to informed laics concerned about this issue. world. Nina Fascione, Defenders of Wildlife, Washington, From my own standpoint, as a field biologist who DC has studied pumas, I see a personal angle here as well. This is also a story of a husband-wife team, with the help of many field assistants, who put their Dispersal. Based on a conference held in Roscoff, personal life on hold by spending more than 250 France, 23 April–1 May 1999. days a year in the field to collect data for over ten Edited by Jean Clobert, Etienne Danchin, AndreÁ years, and actually do experiments on the most Dhondt, and James D Nichols. Oxford and New York: allusive beast I have ever tried to learn about. This Oxford University Press. $95.00 (hardcover); p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0- 452 ם book is a product of determination, endurance of $45.00 (paper). xxi heat, cold, insects, rattlesnakes, numerous muscle 19-850660-0 (hc); 0-19-850659-7 (pb). 2001. aches, dehydration, airsickness from circling col- Dispersal is a phenomenon of central importance lared pumas in the heat induced updraft, learning in ecology and evolution. Yet many of its funda- to like the taste of dust, along with the red eyes, mental aspects remain poorly understood or barely

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 344 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 investigated. This excellent, broad-ranging volume diversity of this planet. Practitioners are expected is a collection of 26 short reviews derived from a to be familiar with a number of subject areas (e.g., Centre National de la Recherche (CNRS)-National animal biology, ecology, physiology, and system- Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored workshop atics). Any textbook that introduces the major held in 1999. As stated by the editors, this book is principles of wildlife management should expect mainly comprised of “reviews and more theoretical readers to have a fundamental knowledge of these approaches, with a limited number of empirical subjects as this book does. Twelve chapters span examples” (p xx) on dispersal. topics such as the historic development of wildlife In general, contributions are of high quality and conservation, the values of wildlife to humans, summarize advances during the past decade, cur- managing population of wild animals and their rent state-of-the-art, and future directions of dis- habitats, and involvement with environmental persal studies. Contributions are also, by and large, impact assessments. Chapter 3 (Native American integrative and critical, typically comparing and Access to Wildlife) and Chapter 5 (Parasites, Dis- contrasting different experimental or theoretical ease, and Wildlife) are good additions since the approaches. The book is separated into five parts, first edition of this volume. The authors have roughly dealing with genetic and demographic extensive experience with natural resource agen- measures of dispersal; influences of habitat and cies in Canada and the United States, which may inter- and intraspecific (e.g., kin) interactions on explain the nearly exclusive North American focus. dispersal; proximate physiological and genetic Unlike other recent books on the subject, the causes on dispersal and habitat selection; ecologi- authors have not blurred the distinctions between cal and genetic consequences of dispersal on pop- wildlife management and the more recently devel- ulations, metapopulations, and communities; and oped discipline of conservation biology. This was synthesis, future directions, and importance of dis- especially apparent in chapters that dealt with hab- persal studies in conservation biology. Central top- itat management and individual species manage- ics in dispersal, such as the use of indirect versus ment. Issues relevant to contemporary landscapes direct methods of estimation, are well covered in and modified habitats (e.g., fragmentation and several sections, with alternate methods being crit- corridors) are barely introduced, as well as the ically evaluated and newer approaches discussed. tools (satellite imagery and geographic informa- An important aspect of this volume is the inclusion tion systems) used to address them. Some of the of newer, less-studied topics such as influence of conventional approaches to game management landscape context on dispersal, habitat selection by are not covered well either. Although the concept dispersers, and effects of dispersal on metapopu- of maximum sustained yield (MSY) is introduced, lation dynamics. Finally, the inclusion of several in- I did not find any description of density-dependent depth reviews of experimental models such as fire recruit. This is essential for understanding man- ants, pikas, and naked mole rats (my personal agement plans that include a MSY approach. favorite) add balance to a volume weighted more To their credit, the authors provide substantial toward theoretical aspects. insight into the “philosophy” of wildlife manage- I highly recommend this book. It will be particu- ment. Although not presented as comprehensive larly useful for researchers who want to get succinct cases studies, a number of examples are given that updates on recent advances, state-of-the-art, and illustrate the role of public involvement in affect- future directions of dispersal studies. This volume ing wildlife management and legislation. Too fre- would also be ideal as a focus for a graduate course quently information presented by biologists is over- on dispersal. shadowed by concerns for political fallout and this Anthony J Zera, Biological Sciences, University of is worth emphasizing. Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska Clearly this book is a revision; however, I was surprised to find most references in chapter- specific bibliographies to be prior to 1990. Illustra- The Philosophy and Practice of Wildlife Man- tions are not used effectively, attractive drawings agement. Third Edition. and black-and-white photographs of individual ani- By Frederick F Gilbert and Donald G Dodds. Malabar mals are presented without captions or references p; in the text. Figures and boxed examples would 355 ם Florida): Krieger Publishing. $34.50. xiii) ill.; index. ISBN: 1-57524-051-3. 2001. have aided in presenting more complex topics. Wildlife management has matured from a profes- Although students should be cautioned against a sion where biologists were largely concerned with recipe approach to wildlife management, “how to” maintaining robust populations of popular game examples provide an effective format to cover the species into a discipline that is a major contributor complexities of a successful management plan. In toward current efforts to preserve the biological summary, the authors have done a good job in pro-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 345 viding readers with a pragmatic review of the little else to do. I found myself doing this. I dislike approaches taken to manage an important natural correcting the author, but the Bronx Zoo’s “Congo resource. Students and professional wildlife biolo- Gorilla Forest” cost many millions of dollars more gists will benefit from reading this book. than what he reported. The Singapore Zoo did not John A Litvaitis, Natural Resources, University of abandon its gorilla exhibit because the gorillas con- New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire tracted an epidemic and fatal tropical parasite. What the Singapore Zoo did was to convert this exhibit (with very little effort) to a successful A Different Nature: The Paradoxical World exhibit for chimpanzees. of Zoos and Their Uncertain Future. One has to wonder if the author really does like By David Hancocks. Berkeley (California): University zoos and zoo exhibitions. Hancocks, either ,p; ill.; index. through modesty on his part or for other reasons 280 ם of California Press. $35.00. xxii ISBN: 0-520-21879-5. 2001. neglects to mention his role in the dramatic I think that it is quite safe to say that zoos (and changes that have occurred in zoos in the last 30 aquariums) have seen their greatest advancements years. He has high praise for some zoos and zoo in exotic animal management, medicine, exhibi- exhibits scattered throughout the book. He also tory behavior, breeding, and enrichment in the identifies some zoos and exhibits that were not as past 30 to 40 years. This has all occurred at a time well planned as they might have been. Occasionally when more and more species are becoming these zoos are ridiculed, rather pompously, by the increasingly rare. There is a greater need to better author for what they have done. Unfortunately, manage zoo collections and, at the same time, to there is no mention of their lack of the creative prevent some species from going extinct, mainly human resources as well as the monetary resources by educating visitors to the plight of these species that are not always available to zoos. and the shrinking wild places that these animals Disturbing is the author’s seemingly unquestion- inhabit. ing support of groups that appear to be antizoo. It was these thoughts about how zoos have Shame on anyone within or outside of the zoo com- advanced that caused me to be more than mildly munity that in anyway supports bad zoos. I am quite annoyed or at least frustrated by A Different Nature. convinced that if groups (such as Zoo Check) were Hancocks, a gifted architect, has been one of the only attempting to close bad zoos, then they would most innovative zoo exhibit designers in the past have many allies within the zoo world. I do not 40 years. At the very least, he has been a part of the believe that this is case for Zoo Check or the other teams that have designed and built exhibits that organizations mentioned by the author. have set the standard for others to follow. This cre- Hancocks’s great interest in what he describes as ativity and willingness to take risks was and still is “the electronic zoo” is another issue that causes quite admirable. It has been quite fortunate for one to wonder where his sentiments really lie, zoos and their inhabitants that some of these cre- despite the fact that he has had a long career as a ative people—through their exhibits, publications, zoo director. Nearly eight pages are devoted to and presentations—were getting the word out (if plans for the use of films, videos, HDTV, and other for no other reason than to possibly draw business) equipment that seems mostly related to the mag- about what they were building at the time when nification and observation of tiny invertebrates and very few zoo directors and curators were talking plant life; the “usual zoo animals” are not included. about their latest efforts. Is this an exhibition that families will visit more The first hundred pages of A Different Nature than once? I think not, but I have no intention of present the history of zoos from the first animal being completely against the idea because I know keepers up through the 20th century. This section that there is technology in the “electronic zoo” that of the book is easy reading, with little that is in any we can take advantage of as we plan for the future. way thought provoking or controversial. For any- I would like to encourage Hancocks to write the one with an interest in zoo history, there are a num- kind of book that I know he can write. He has so ber of books that have been written that go into much to offer, especially to the zoos that he has more detail than is provided here. tended to criticize in A Different Nature. In my long It is the remainder of the book that may be career, I have found that North American zoos are described as enlightening, but occasionally contro- willing to cooperate and help each other when versial. At times, the knowing zoo professional will asked, and the author could be a great resource to be in full agreement with Hancocks, while at other the zoo community. Hancocks has the experience times unhappy or frustrated by his thoughts. It is and the creativity to write, in a very positive fashion, then that readers will look for and pick out the a book that can be helpful to those zoos that he book’s small faults or inaccuracies because there is tends to fault. One of these days, all zoos must real-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 346 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 ize that it is not just lots of money that will make third part, which is largely about hydrothermal an exhibit good for the animals and the zoo’s visi- vent environments, is interesting and visually strik- tors. It also takes the creativity and risktaking of ing, but this is really the only bottom environment people like David Hancocks. Until that book is writ- that gets any detailed treatment. Seamounts, seeps, ten, read A Different Nature and take from it all the and sediments (my personal favorite) get little, if good that it has to offer. any, attention. James G Doherty, Mammals, Bronx Zoo, Wildlife Deep-sea biologists will find the book incom- Conservation Society, Bronx, New York plete and not as rigorous as they might like, but may want to buy it for the great photographs. For everyone else, the images and easy narrative style ERRATUM make it a very attractive coffee-table book that will intrigue those who peruse it. In the review of Sperm Competition and Its Evo- Paul Snelgrove, Biology, Memorial University of lutionary Consequences in the Insects, by Leigh Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada W Simmons [reviewed by John Alcock, The Quarterly Review of Biology, 77(2): 209–210], the correct citation in paragraph 1, sentence Copepods: Aetideidae of the World Ocean. 1 should be (Biological Reviews, 45: 525–567). World Biodiversity Database CD-ROM Series. Version 1.0. By E L Markhaseva. New York: Springer-Verlag. $129.95 (CD-ROM). ISBN: 3-540-14622-9. 2000. [Requirements—Windows: Windows 95/98, Pen- tium processor, 16MB RAM, 4x CD-ROM drive, 16-bit color monitor; MAC: system 7.x or 8.x, Mac- intosh computer with 680x0 or PowerPC proces- AQUATIC SCIENCES sor, 16MB RAM, 4x CD-ROM drive, 16-bit color monitor.] Creatures of the Deep: In Search of the Sea’s “Monsters” and the World They Live In. By Erich Hoyt. Buffalo (New York): Firefly Books. Organism-Sediment Interactions. Based on a $40.00. 160 p; ill.; index. ISBN: 1-55209-340-9. symposium held in Columbia, South Carolina, October 2001. 1998. The Belle W. Baruch Library in Marine Science, This book is a photographic and narrative visit to Number 21. the remote deep-sea frontier, which represents the Edited by Josephine Y Aller, Sarah A Woodin, and largest and least studied biological habitat on Robert C Aller. Published for the Belle W. Baruch Insti- Earth. The photographs of a variety of bizarre and beautiful marine organisms are spectacular, and tute for Marine Biology and Coastal Research by the University of South Carolina Press, Columbia (South ם -the accompanying text is interesting and informa tive. With a few exceptions, the factual content is Carolina). $60.00. xxiii 403 p; ill.; index. ISBN: generally quite good; generalizations and simplifi- 1-57003-431-1. 2001. cations were probably a necessary compromise to This volume contains 23 papers that are a result of achieve the concise text. There is a strong empha- a symposium in honor of Donald Rhoads, whose sis on photogenic, toothy megafauna, which is a bit conceptual work throughout his career continues misleading for this environment, but there are to frame and define our understanding of how the brief sections on the less charismatic lower trophic benthos and the sedimentary regime interact. The levels. The historical information is really enjoya- interrelated themes represented in the volume ble and gives a feel for exploration and discovery. relate the effect of physical disturbance and species The organization of the first part of the book, interactions on species succession, community which presents chapters on sequentially deeper structure, and feeding ecology of the benthos and habitats, generally works quite well. A minor draw- their effect on sedimentological and biogeochem- back is that like much of the book, a few subjects ical processes. The papers are reviews of major are presented in some detail through interesting areas of benthic research over the last few decades: and sometimes personal experience, but at the biogenic modification of physical properties of sed- expense of presenting any sort of synthesis. Part 2 iments, response of benthos to sedimentary distur- brings together some of the key elements of the bance and biological/paleoecological indicators of food web, but the heavy weighting on a few big these processes, biogeochemical processes affected predators (yes, lots of sharks) seems rather arbi- by bioturbation, and food resources and utilization trary and throws the discussion out of balance. The by benthos.

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The first section on technological advances in porary biodiversity—are thus the “silver lining” the study of benthos highlights the signal contri- alluded to in the title. The author attempts to pres- bution that Rhoads has made to the ability in study- ent this view for a mass audience. With a book such ing in an interdisciplinary way the interaction of as this, one has to ask three things: First, does the benthos with the sedimentary regime. The paper author get the science right? Second, has this not (by Rhoads et al.) on the importance of technology yet been done before? Third, is the prose engag- in benthic research and monitoring explores the ing? I think this book fails on all three counts. history of moving from the traditional grab sample Indeed, it is awful. approach in describing benthos to a variety of tech- Although Reice mentions a large number of dis- nologies that allow for rapid collection of infor- turbance types in passing, it is flood and fire that mation not only on community structure but also he covers in detail. What he has to say about fire on biogeochemical processes. In so doing the is, by and large, simply wrong. A major problem is authors underscore the fact that the best techno- his reflexive assumption that fire suppression has logical advances stem from first articulating those been effective during the preceding decades. It is first order questions about the interactions of scandalous that Canada and the United States com- organisms. The section on Response of Benthos to bined spend about a billion dollars per year on sup- Sedimentary Disturbances provides a strong mul- pression and yet there is no concrete evidence to tiple scale overview of benthic-sediment interac- show that it amounts to more than a make-work tions in the dynamic water-sediment interface. program for undergraduates and a bloated fire- Papers by Alongi and Aller et al. offer excellent fighting bureaucracy. Indeed, Reice, when faced descriptions of the interplay of organic input and with the contrary evidence of fires such as the 1988 organismal activity affecting diagenesis. The Yellowstone burn that could only be extinguished papers on sedimentary food resources and diges- by a Noachian precipitation, happily adopts the tive strategies are forward looking in tackling the same argument as the fire fighting lobby, arguing ecology of the chemistry of digestion, as well as the that their extraordinary success in the past has led paper by Levinton et al. that brings the discussion to such a buildup of fuel that now a fire is simply of organismal feeding into the context of popula- unstoppable. In short, recent huge fires such as the tion effects on ecosystem processes. The review vol- 2001 Chisholm fire in Alberta are analogous to the ume serves as a real resource in readings for those Missouri/Mississippi flood of 1993, a product of teaching advanced students in benthic ecology our hubris. Nowhere in the primary literature is because there is no textbook available that covers there serious support for or against the argument with the needed depth the main themes of benthic although it is quite common in the secondary lit- research encompassed in this volume. This book erature. also provides sufficient discussion to make it worth- Reice then loses readers entirely in the section while in providing to nonbenthic researchers an on species’ adaptations to fire. It is a mass of specu- appreciation for the role organisms play in sedi- lations regarding selection for or against flamma- ment geochemical processes. bility in the past. But those unlucky communities Kenneth R Tenore, Chesapeake Biological Labo- dependent on their flammability—such as pine ratory, University of Maryland Center for Environ- forests or chaparral—are doomed to disappear, mental Science, Solomons, Maryland Reice tells us, given our misguided suppression efforts. But what happened to the hubris argument? I do not know. My second criticism of this book is that this “new paradigm . . . emerging” (p 15) is hardly new at all. Even in popular works, authors such as Daniel Bot- kin (or Stephen Jay Gould in a different context) ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES have been emphasizing catastrophe and nonequi- librium views for some time now. Further, in an The Silver Lining: The Benefits of Natural informal way, citizens with a natural history bent Disasters. have been hearing this message for at least 20 years By Seth R Reice. Princeton (New Jersey): Princeton Uni- around campfires in national parks. I first heard p; ill.; index. ISBN: the argument that Smokey the Bear is a “false 218 ם versity Press. $24.95. xiii 0-691-05902-0. 2001. friend” (p 19) at Yosemite National Park around The idea that natural disturbance is a recurrent 1979 from an undergraduate in a park uniform. organizing principle in plant communities has And, of course, the message was repeated endlessly become commonplace within the discipline of to mass audiences by Yellowstone personnel in ecology. Our present communities—this contem- response to criticism of the let-burn policy.

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My final complaint is that the wooden prose more recent times, but now fostered and pre- sometimes aspires to the maudlin: “we learned the scribed by aboriginal man, are labeled “Second name of this nocturnal scourge: Hurricane Fran” Fire.” Man possessing and using fire altered the (p 24); “[t]hose fearsome fires, floods, and storms natural fire regimes on a global scale; the timing are essential” (p 212). And the attempts to connect and geographic extent of burning changed dra- with an audience using popular culture are clumsy. matically. For example, Reice tells us that “Walt Disney . . . Second Fire, controlled by humans (either [got] it right in Bambi” (p 18), meaning there was deploying it or suppressing it) created major indeed a crown fire. Actually, Disney was trying to departures from First Fire regimes; Pyne provides support the Smokey the Bear argument. The fire many examples. Development of agriculture, (near the end of the movie, and of trivial impor- encompassing the selection and cultivation of tance to the plot) was started by human hunters cereal and vegetable crops, as well as generating who had left their campfire unattended. Reice says pasture for grazing livestock, meant humans assert- that the movie shows a situation where “notions of ing control over natural fire, or making every effort competition and predation are gone” (p 18). In to do so. Sometimes fire was a desirable and useful this movie the omnivores and herbivores are all agricultural tool; at other times it was purposely pals. The only predators were the humans with kept off the land. Humans altered fire regimes rifles. wherever agricultural activities were pursued; the In summary, it is not clear that the author is well amounts and arrangements of natural fuels were versed in either the primary literature or popular changed in the process. These changes are still culture. This book is a disaster lacking any silver occurring today, and is one of the best reasons for lining. reading Fire: A Brief History. David F Greene, Geography, Concordia University, Third Fire, or industrial fire, the last described Montreal, Quebec, Canada by Pyne, encompasses fire occurring in confined places that we moderns rarely think about, including mined, drilled, or pumped fossil fuels, coal, oil, Fire: A Brief History. and gas, used within engines or in energizing our By Stephen J Pyne; Foreword by William Cronon. Seat- homes. First Fire, uncontrolled wild fires ignited tle (Washington): University of Washington Press. by lightning, are only slightly different from the p; ill.; index. ISBN: precisely controlled Third Fire events, such as 204 ם paper). xvii) $18.95 0-295-98144-X. 2001. when we turn the ignition keys in our automobiles In his current description and analysis of the his- and expect the engine to “fire up.” Third Fire is toric interrelationships between man and fire, the generally kept hidden from our direct sight, but author first summarizes the presence and influ- remains a major part of our lives, in areas such as ences of fire before humans were on the scene. He global politics and economies. Pyne does an excel- follows this with the expanded and increased lent job in making these connections. impacts of fire on Earth’s ecosystems after man’s Humans have expanded their numbers, filling arrival, focusing on man’s gaining the power to cre- much of the Earth, but First, Second, and Third ate, maintain, and deploy fire at his will and com- Fires have remained important influences. Pyne mand. Fire, in the hands of humans, when added calls upon his abundant knowledge of historic and to the continuing potent occurrences of natural modern fire to fashion a narrative that will easily fire ignitions, led to new levels of ecosystem com- hold the attention of readers. As long as green plexity. Several times in his book, Pyne points out plants continue to photosynthesize, creating burn- that although fire could survive without man, man able biomass, fire is certain to find it and consume could not survive without fire, and provides con- it. New problems have arisen. More and more peo- vincing evidence to support his point of view. ple in Europe and North America are exiting from Prehistoric fire, called “First Fire” by Pyne, rou- crowded cities, building their homes in isolated tinely and randomly burned organic fuels, releas- semiwild areas, the so-called forest-urban interface. ing stored solar energy and gaseous byproducts. Many such homes are or have become surrounded Plants and animals evolved adaptive strategies to by accumulations of flammable plant growth, fuels survive in such an environment. First Fire, for mil- ready to be discovered by fire. Interface home own- lions of years, formed natural fire cycles or fire ers soon discover they have been drawn into com- regimes relating to the presence or absence of fire plexities and conflicts among their homes, the over time. Fire cycles or regimes refer to and fuels, and inevitable fire. Pyne’s book is a must read encompass the frequency, intensity, and severity of for anyone flirting with potential wildland fire on fire events. These regimes vary within and between their interface homesites. It will provide a reality different global ecosystems. Fires operating during check.

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William Cronon provides an insightful foreword, they read through the rest of the book. I was par- Small Book, Big Story. It is here that readers are ticularly impressed with the presence of an over- alerted to Pyne’s intention of providing a “narra- view chapter that, rather than indicating a view of tion” in a “slender volume,” of how our hominid what was coming in the following chapters, instead ancestors discovered the trick of capturing fire and provided a framework for how restorationists carried it forth, changing the face of all continents should think about the systems they intend to as they went. In his current effort, Pyne has man- restore, how dynamic they are and, consequently, aged to draw the critical substances from his the value and limitations of historical data. They numerous past fire-history publications. Cronon’s begin with a discussion of what “historical ecology” remarks provide encouragement to return to seems to be in the minds of researchers who prac- Pyne’s earlier volumes in the Cycle of Fire series tice it, and follow that with a discussion of why res- for in-depth details. Having read several, I can sup- toration biologists should be interested in histori- port this recommendation. cal information, including an outline procedure The author provides an excellent bibliography for site restoration in which historical information of key fire references to fire history as well as a is most important in the initial stages of developing listing of recommended further readings. Because ecosystem models of what the site should become. of the wide-ranging number of bases his book This is followed by a discussion of the temporal touches upon, Fire: A Brief History is recommend scales that should be considered in developing ref- not only to scientists and resource managers who erence conditions for ecosystem research. are routinely associated with fire in their profes- In the section on cultural sources of informa- sional work, but to geographers, anthropologists, tion, O’Brien begins by introducing archeological natural historians, and to anyone interested in the techniques. I enjoyed the history of how archeol- history of mankind and how fire shaped that his- ogists have evolved from perceiving the environ- tory. ment as driving human history to how paleohu- James R Habeck, Biological Sciences, University of mans also interacted with and modified their Montana, Missoula, Montana environment. The awareness of the historical influence of humans in North America is not always clear when talking with restoration ecolo- The Historical Ecology Handbook: A Resto- gists, but O’Brien makes a strong case for their rationist’s Guide to Reference Ecosystems. role in shaping past ecosystems and how archae- Edited by Dave Egan and Evelyn A Howell; Foreword ology can provide insight. Subsequent chapters by Curt Meine. Washington (DC): Island Press. discuss ethnobiology (Anderson), written sources -Edmonds), oral history (Fogerty), historic pho) 457 ם hardcover); $30.00 (paper). xix) $55.00 p; ill.; index. ISBN: 1-55963-745-5 (hc); 1-55963- tographs (Reithmaier), and early land survey 746-3 (pb). 2001. information (Whitney and DeCant). Some chap- This is an excellent overview for restoration biol- ters illustrate research issues (archeology and eth- ogists interested in the best estimates for reference nobiology), while others are descriptions of tech- composition for sites to be restored. This compi- nique (oral history and historic photographs). As lation provides general directions to obtain the his- an example, Edmonds’s chapter on the diverse torical information that gives the past composition sources of written information was interesting in of plants and animals at a site. The book begins that the information may be present, but is also with a theoretical framework of ways to use and difficult to interpret. The cultural biases of early think about reference conditions for a restoration. Europeans as well as their use of problematic com- The introduction is followed by a collection of six mon names for plants and animals are illustrated chapters on different approaches to cultural evi- as some of the constraints of these sources. dence and seven chapters on sources of biological The next section develops a series of approaches evidence. The book concludes with four chapters using biological sources of information. Forest that provide a brief overview of projects that util- stand history using observational data (Marks and ized a diversity of historical evidence to develop Gardescu) begins this series of chapters, followed reference conditions. I found this to be a well- by others on dendrochronology (Kipfmueller and edited collection of chapters that indicate cultural Swetnam), palynology (Davis), and packrat mid- and biological sources of information along with dens (Rhode). In the chapter on palynology, not general advantages and drawbacks of each. Exam- only does Davis review classic paleoecological work ples within most chapters are from a diverse array on postglacial changes in vegetation that used pal- of habitats common in North America. ynological data, but he also illustrates several other In the Introduction, Egan and Howell develop studies, including those in habitats and locations themes that readers should keep in mind when in which researchers might not expect historic pol-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 350 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 len data to be important. Additional chapters in recounts his exploration of an exciting and this section discuss developing historic animal expanding new interdisciplinary science. The assemblages (Morrison), using geomorphical author describes agrodiversity as the ways in which information (Trimble), and using phytoliths (Fred- farmers use the natural diversity of the environ- lund) for reconstructing ecosystems. ment for production through their choice of crops Two things are effective about the sections on and management of land, water, and biota (p 42). cultural and biological evidence. One is the diver- Readers wishing to use Brookfield as their guide sity of source types and the examples of their appli- in their own urgent exploration of this emerging cation. The other is that these techniques cover a terrain will find him both expert and companiable. diversity of temporal scales, from quite historical The best guides have long memories, and this book (e.g., archeological or palynological) to quite begins where its author began—in the highlands recent (e.g., photographic or forest stand obser- of New Guinea in 1958. In Part I, diversity is pre- vational). This approach pulls information sented by example, taking on board Peruvian, together for biologists interested in restoration Sudanese, and Malaysian cases before analyzing and provides a range of techniques that may be the conceptual framework of the new science and effectively scaled for the objectives of a particular linking it into the history of agriculture and the project. For example, the last section describes the diversity and dynamics of soils, which are the foun- use of multiple sources in four case studies: the pre- dations of ecological diversity. Part II focuses on European vegetation of Nantucket Island in New the often maligned practice of shifting cultivation, England (Dunwiddie), the recent changes in Indi- using a series of case studies to show how several ana Dunes forests (Cole), the archeologically fast-disappearing systems in tropical countries reconstructed vegetation near the Grand Canyon made skilful use of natural diversity, rationally (Alcoze and Hurteau), and the historical distribu- exploiting “parsimonious soils” (e.g., the citemene tions and morphologies of wetlands in the San and fundikila systems of the Bemba), managing fal- Francisco Bay (Grossinger). Although none of the lows, coping with degraded land, erosion on chapters in this section are comprehensive in slopes, and flood hazards. Brookfield is critical of reconstructing any historic ecosystem, each shows the use of the “ethnographic present” in anthro- how evidence from a variety of sources can be used pological literature, so Part III addresses pathways to support or contradict interpretations of historic of transformation, from the agricultural to the sources. green revolutions. Stressing the importance of Egan and Howell, the editors of the book, indi- incremental rather than revolutionary change, and cate at the end of the introductory chapter that of farmers’ own innovations and investments, these their intention was to provide “a series of ‘primers’ chapters provide a prelude to the important dis- about the various techniques and source materials cussion of contemporary issues in Part IV (The that can be used to identify historic reference con- Future of Agrodiversity). A “gene revolution” (p ditions for restoration projects” (p 15). I feel they xvii) is now succeeding the green, and brief reviews have accomplished this task effectively. This is an of current issues (up through 1999) include important source for biologists interested in any genetic erosion and conservation, alternative agri- aspect of restoration ecology. culture in the North, the story of the “terminator V Thomas Parker, Biology, San Francisco State gene,” tissue culture and asexual reproduction in University, San Francisco, California crop breeding, biosafety, and ethics. In thus contextualizing current debates, Brook- field draws attention to the common ground that Exploring Agrodiversity. Issues, Cases, and Meth- modern alternative agriculture movements in the ods in Biodiversity Conservation. North share, not only with their own past, but also By Harold Brookfield. New York: Columbia University with diverse agriculture in developing countries, as well as the ways in which the latter are drawn into ם Press. $75.00 (hardcover); $35.00 (paper). xxi 348 p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-231-10232-1 (hc); 0- struggles with the seed and biotechnology corpo- 231-10233-X (pb). 2001. rations. Such unifying themes will surely draw a Contemporary debates on the management of bio- line under many decades of scholarship that have diversity and biotechnology are only rarely situated tended to isolate the practice of agriculture in in the context of agricultural diversity as it has North and South, driven by an overemphasis on evolved in history and was until very recently prac- biological and technical differences. In fact, the ticed by a majority of the world’s small-scale farm- book ends on a surprisingly upbeat note: the diver- ers. Laying claim to having himself coined the term sity of small-scale agriculture is its own best defence (p xii), Harold Brookfield in this ambitious book against the homogeneity and input-dependency of

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“modernist” agriculture, and this finding neatly Designing Field Studies for Biodiversity Con- dovetails with theory developed by Holling and servation. others on diversity engendering resilience in man- By Peter Feinsinger. Washington (DC): Island Press. p; ill.; index. ISBN: 1- 212 ם aged ecosystems. Without effective organization, $27.50 (paper). xx small farmers are vulnerable (pp 278–279), not- 55963-878-8. 2001. withstanding their continuing numerical superi- Designed as a practical guide to the use of scientific ority. methods in conservation biology and ecology, par- This is a book of major importance not least ticularly in Latin America, this helpful and engag- because of the facility with which its author (whose ing book is aimed at a broad audience, including earlier writings have been influential) weaves a not only professional ecologists and conservation seamless interdisciplinary tapestry around urgent biologists, but also secondary school educators and issues that are too easily debated out of social and laics. As such, it assumes little prior knowledge of historical context (such as biodiversity loss and scientific inquiry, and is written in a crystal clear population-induced degradation). Readers among style, largely free of jargon and technical language. the biological sciences will find it an admirable The book begins with a description of the guide to wide-ranging work and an extensive liter- hypothetico-deductive scientific method, which is ature. It is also an intensely personal exploration, quickly demystified with an example of a farmer having the homely feel of a series of lectures rather using common sense methods to decide which than a textbook. Anecdotes and occasional eccen- crops to plant in a new field. Complex scientific tricities punctuate an argument that never loses its concepts are skillfully explained with examples momentum. Boxes and helpful cross-referencing throughout the book. will assist readers. The next several chapters discuss the process of framing answerable questions (Chapter 3), design- Can agrodiversity survive in a “globalizing” ing an experiment to successfully answer a research world? Although the economic and demographic question and deal with variation and confounding forces that drove historical land use change, bio- factors (Chapter 4), and using statistics to under- diversity change, and agricultural evolution find stand the results (Chapter 5). I found this latter mention in many of the case studies used in the chapter to be one of the highlights of the book; I book, there is not a systematic discussion of their have seldom encountered a clearer explanation of impact on agrodiversity, nor of the terms under statistical tests and their interpretation. This chap- which diversity will be negotiated with global mar- ter includes excellent explanations of descriptive kets in the future. Agriculture has always existed statistics, Type I and Type II errors, statistical mainly to produce food, and the demand for food power, and a sophisticated yet very lucid explana- has always depended to a large extent on population of interpreting statistical significance. I found tion, once at local and now increasingly at global myself constantly referring to these chapters as I levels. Northern “alternative agriculture” (p 253) prepared college-level introductory courses in pursues a minority market. Small farmers in the ecology and statistics. South face a productivity constraint, always cited by Later chapters focus on topics of more particular proponents of gene transfer technology. We can relevance for conservation ecology, including incor- eat diversity (and it is good for us), but can there porating a thorough knowledge of natural history be enough for everyone? into studies (Chapter 6), the benefits of a landscape Michael Mortimore, Drylands Research, Sher- perspective and edge effects (Chapter 7), the use- borne, United Kingdom fulness of indicator species (Chapter 8), and species diversity indices (Chapter 9). The book concludes with a step-by-step guide to involving local commu- Ecological Integrity: Integrating Environ- nities in conservation efforts (Chapter 10). ment, Conservation, and Health. In each chapter, Feinsinger goes beyond merely Edited by David Pimentel, Laura Westra, and Reed F presenting techniques, but rather provides an up- Noss. Washington (DC): Island Press. $70.00 (hard- to-date, sophisticated, critical evaluation of each, .p; ill.; index. rare in a book aimed at such a general audience 428 ם cover); $35.00 (paper). xiii ISBN: 1-55963-807-9 (hc); 1-55963-808-7 (pb). All of the chapters are very readable, and are 2000. backed with extensive notes and references. This book provides a synthesis of the findings of My only complaint is that the book’s focus on the Global Integrity Project that brought together Latin American examples and conservation biol- scientists to examine the problems of threatened ogy could give the erroneous impression that only and unequal human well-being, degradation of the Latin American conservation professionals would ecosphere, and unsustainable economics. benefit from reading this book. On the contrary, I

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 352 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 enthusiastically recommend it to anyone begin- introduction that the focus of this book is narrower ning their studies in field biology and to their as a consequence of an emphasis on “patterns.” teachers. The volume contains 27 chapters by 45 contrib- R Matthew Landis, Biology, Middlebury College, utors. Two overviews (one historical) and a chapter Middlebury, Vermont on climate change are followed by a treatise on functional adaptations to island life and a series of contributions arranged taxonomically: plants (one Spreadsheet Exercises in Ecology and Evolu- chapter), terrestrial arthropods (five chapters), tion. amphibians and reptiles (one chapter), parrots By Therese M Donovan and Charles W Welden. Sun- (one chapter), and mammals (nine chapters). A derland (Massachusetts): Sinauer Associates. $24.95 discussion of vertebrate fossils from Jamaica is p; ill.; no index. ISBN: 0- inserted inexplicably between those on parrots and 556 ם paper). xi) 87893-156-2. 2002. mammals. A potpourri of contributions on histori- Spreadsheet Exercises in Conservation Biol- cal biogeography in Cuba, Native American use of ogy and Landscape Ecology. animals, an historical survey of human influences, By Therese M Donovan and Charles W Welden. Sun- and two articles emphasizing conservation con- derland (Massachusetts): Sinauer Associates. $24.95 clude the book. The length of individual contri- .p; ill.; no index. ISBN: 0- butions ranges from five to 76 pages 464 ם paper). xi) 87893-159-7. 2002. The historical overview serves to place subse- These books use prewritten spreadsheet programs quent contributions into perspective—but leaves to build biological models. The authors intend to readers wishing for more. Subsequently, the stated introduce biologists to the creation and use of theme of patterns prevails, particularly those per- models that can aid in learning basic and advanced taining to the origin of the terrestrial biota and concepts in ecology, evolution, conservation biol- extinctions. The former emerges in the second ogy, landscape ecology, and statistics. overview, which identifies three competing hypotheses that seek to explain origins: overwater dispersal, vicariance, and a land bridge. Subsequent Handbook of the Convention on Biological chapters on plants, beetles, amphibians and rep- Diversity. tiles, and one on bats support dispersal, whereas By the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological those on ticks, butterflies, and a rhinocerotoid Diversity. London and Sterling (Virginia): Earthscan. mammal present data most compatible with vicar- -iance, and that on sloths concludes that the distri 690 ם hardcover); £24.95 (paper). xxix) £60.00 p; ill.; indexes of key terms and articles, deci- bution of mammals (except insectivores) is best sions, and recommendations. ISBN: 1-85383- explained by a land bridge. Interestingly, data on 748-2 (hc); 1-85383-737-7 (pb). 2001. insectivores and Cuban insects are inconclusive. This handbook is a guide to decisions adopted by The chapter on climate change has broad, if not the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Con- explicitly stated, applications to at least some vention on Biological Diversity and presents ongo- extinction patterns. The paper addressing physio- ing activities relating to particular articles and the- logical adaptations to island life condenses an inor- matic areas of the convention. It has been dinate amount of information into a few pages. constructed to allow frequent updates for new deci- Particularly interesting are conclusions that no sions of the COP. obvious adaptive patterns apply to West Indian vertebrates and that Amerindians, in contrast to climate change, were responsible for many extinc- Biogeography of the West Indies: Patterns tions. The latter contention is supported by and Perspectives. Second Edition. subsequent chapters on parrots, hutias, and Amer- Edited by Charles A Woods and Florence E Sergile. Boca indian impact on Caribbean faunas. Surprisingly, -p; although present day efforts to conserve biodiver 582 ם Raton (Florida): CRC Press. $139.95. xxvi ill.; index. ISBN: 0-8493-2001-1. 2001. sity are acknowledged implicitly or mentioned Although labeled a “second edition,” this is more peripherally in several chapters, they are addressed than a revision of the edited volume, Biogeography explicitly only in the last paper on the status of con- of the West Indies: Past, Present, and Future (C A servation efforts in Haiti. Woods. 1989. Gainesville (FL): Sandhill Crane The success of any volume of collected works can Press). Some chapters (on butterflies, the mon- best be measured in how effectively it addresses its goose, and manatees) reappear in modified form, stated purpose or in terms of its utility to the target but most contributions are new. Woods states in the audience. Most chapters clearly identify the pres-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 353 ence or absence of at least one relevant pattern. these do not detract from the overall message. This Several of the shortest chapters do little more— book should lead to many lively discussions. and without sufficient discussion placing patterns Steven P Canton, Chadwick Ecological Consul- into a broader context, their value is severely tants, Incorporated, Littleton, Colorado diminished. Utility is compromised by an excessive emphasis on mammals and particularly by the inex- plicable omission of at least one chapter synthesiz- Wetlands Explained: Wetland Science, Policy, ing the information presented in the many nar- and Politics in America. rowly focused papers. Nevertheless, this book does By William M Lewis, Jr. Oxford and New York: Oxford extend the discussion of West Indian biogeography University Press. $45.00 (hardcover); $18.95 ם and, as such, serves an important role—especially (paper). vii 147 p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-19- if used in combination with the first edition. 513183-5 (hc); 0-19-513184-3 (pb). 2001. Robert Powell, Biology, Avila College, Kansas A seemingly simple question—where is the edge of City, Missouri the wetland?—has generated a great deal of controversy and this new book. The author chaired the National Research Council (NRC) committee that Virtual Rivers: Lessons from the Mountain reviewed wetland delineation, as performed under Rivers of the Colorado Front Range. the Clean Water Act. His book describes the think- By Ellen E Wohl. New Haven (Connecticut): Yale Uni- ing behind wetland protection and delineation, ,p; ill.; index. ISBN: and briefly covers the history of wetland misuse 210 ם versity Press. $35.00. xiii 0-300-08484-6. 2001. subsequent protection, characterization of wet- There are few rivers left that have not felt the hand lands versus uplands, attributes of water, soil, and of man—even in what appears to be the wilds of vegetation in wetlands, and approaches to delineation. the Colorado Rocky Mountains. In this book, Ellen Disagreement about the exact boundary of a wet- Wohl has attempted to show how the actions of land is controversial because regulators need to man have permanently changed the character of draw a precise line, while nature rarely displays one. many of Colorado’s mountain streams, in a form If hydrologic, soil, and vegetation indicators are readable for both scientists and laics. To fulfill this used, the result can be three separate lines. Thus, goal, she has written the book with less scientific some of the debate concerns the number of indi- “jargon” and kept citations to the scientific litera- cators needed. Regulators are currently required to ture in an appendix. Her goal mostly succeeds, record details for all three, even if one (such as dom- although she tends to slip into more detailed ter- inance by wetland-dependent vegetation) would suf- minology when she is discussing her field of geol- fice (i.e., have low probability for error). To make ogy—not an unexpected phenomenon. wetland delineation more rational, Lewis offers a The strengths of the book are many. There is a fresh idea: regulators should adopt a risk analysis broad coverage of subjects in stream ecology, from approach (Chapter 7). Delineators could then use geomorphologic channel building to the biotic one indicator when there is little risk of error and interactions along a stream continuum. In addi- reserve more time for situations where more than tion, the discussion of the influences of man is very one indicator is needed. For this idea alone, policy- complete and quite interesting, with historical makers should read and heed this volume. accounts dating back to the first trappers and mov- A clear and clever writer, Lewis manages to ing forward to today’s cities. There are an abun- explain and entertain simultaneously. Even though dance of historical photographs—I particularly I served on the NRC committee, I still appreciated enjoyed the “series” of photographs that show a his orderly description of, and insights into, wet- particular stream reach over time. Having lived in land regulation. The book speaks to owners of wet- Colorado for over 25 years and studied most of the lands (who should gain comprehension about the streams in the book, I found this fascinating. complex wetland-permitting arena); scientists, his- The primary weakness of the book is that the torians, and lawyers (who should benefit by obtain- author may have tried to put too much informa- ing a broad overview of the controversies); and pol- tion in a relatively short volume—readers may be icy and decision makers, practitioners of wetland overwhelmed at times. Plus it appears that even the delineation, and wetland ecologists (who should author would get lost and mix subject matters (for better understand the history of wetland regula- example, when discussing mining impacts, a sen- tion). We should all be challenged to improve the tence on logging effects would sneak in). And, in current permitting system, which seeks to prevent the last chapter, she tends to “sermonize” rather losses in the flood protection, water quality than summarize. Although sometimes distracting, improvement, and biodiversity support capabilities

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 354 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 of wetlands simply by regulating ﬁlling. The value should own this book, and it has been priced so of wetland functions to society, and the costs that reasonably that I expect most will. result when wetlands are eliminated, demand a Nancy Knowlton, Center for Marine Biodiversity & more direct approach to achieve sustainability. Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Joy B Zedler, Botany, University of Wisconsin, Madi- University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California son, Wisconsin

Biogeografıá de Ame´rica Latina y el Caribe. World Atlas of Coral Reefs. Manuales & Tesis SEA, Volumen 3. By Mark D Spalding, Corinna Ravilious, and By Juan J Morrone. Published by the Programa Iber- Edmund P Green. Published by the University of Cali- oamericano de Ciencia y Tecnologıá para el Desarrollo, fornia, Berkeley (California), in association with the Oficina Regional de Ciencia y Tecnologıá para Ame´r- United Nations Environment Programme World Con- ica Latina y el Caribe, UNESCO, and the Sociedad servation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge (United Entomolo´gica Aragonesa, Zaragoza (Spain). EUR Kingdom). $45.00. 424 p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-520- 15.00 (paper). 148 p; ill.; no index. ISBN: 84- 23255-0. 2001. 922495-4-4. [In Spanish.] 2001. Coral reefs are the most diverse of all marine hab- A great deal has been happening in neotropical itats, and among the most threatened. In order to biogeography that largely passes under American respond to the crises facing reefs, one needs to radar unnoticed. The author of the current book know where the reefs are, where they are most at is known to many American biogeographers for his risk, and the biological and social characteristics of very useful review (with J V Crisci) of quantitative the countries to which they belong. This book does methods in historical biogeography, published in this and far more. It begins with an introductory the Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics (1995. Palo Alto (CA): Annual Reviews). Beyond that, his section (three chapters) about reefs in general, North American audience has been largely limited threats and their solutions, and how reefs are to fellow coleopterists. The appearance of a major mapped. The following sections consider the west- synthesis of Latin American biogeography—the ern Atlantic and eastern Pacific, the Indian Ocean first since Biogeografıá de Ame´rica Latina by Angel L and southeast Asia, and the Pacific Ocean. Each Cabrera and Abraham Willink (1973. Washington section consists of several regionally defined chap- (DC): Organization of American States)—would ters, and each chapter considers reefs on a country- normally attract a lot of attention. But it was pub- by-country basis. Tabulated data for each country lished in an obscure, but important, series of include population size; gross domestic product monographs by a Spanish entomological society in (GDP); land, marine, and reef area; fish consump- collaboration with UNESCO, and is unlikely to tion; percentage of reefs at risk; coral diseases; the show up in very many North American libraries diversity of corals, seagrasses, and mangroves; and unless it is specifically requested. characteristics of the protected areas that contain This is a work of biogeographical classification, reefs. For each country, a detailed map, illustra- continuing the 19th-century tradition of Sclater, tions, and a review of the main features and recent Wallace, and Huxley, among others. The work of history are provided. Coverage per country typi- these pioneers has been criticized in our day for its cally runs to several pages, but countries with large eclectic and unoperational “seat-of-the-pants” areas of reef (such as Australia) are considered in nature, based as it is on an inexplicit weighting of greater detail. Each chapter concludes with a shared taxa on the one hand and endemism on the selected bibliography (which is remarkably up to other. Contemporary biogeographers of most date) and information sources for the maps. The “schools” attempt to demonstrate greater opera- maps vary in detail, depending on the size and tionality and rigor, although the resulting classifi- complexity of the area being considered; in some cations seldom represent any improvement over cases they even provide enough information to the classical ones. Even as it has become clear that plan a trip. The illustrations are clear and interest- the individualistic hypothesis holds sway in bioge- ing, and include not just the coffee-table shots of ography at least as much as in community or veg- lovely reef dwellers, but also photographs taken etation ecology, both disciplines have come under from planes and satellites, and pictures of people great pressure from conservationists to revert to a and their activities on reefs. classificatory-typological mode. This monograph is No book is perfect, and in a few places I would explicitly a response to such perceived needs and have liked more detail (e.g., maps of the Bahamas), is justified as such in the foreword by Fermıń Mar- but these flaws are trivial in comparison with what tıń Piera of the National Museum of Natural Sci- has been achieved. Every coral reef biologist ences in Madrid. It recognizes three regions

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 355

(Nearctic, Neotropical, and Andean) separated there is much that is unsatisfying and problematic into eight subregions and 70 provinces. The treat- about this work, and given its publication venue it ment of each unit includes an historical synonymy would be very easy to ignore it, were it not poten- of terms applied to it, a very useful feature that tially so important. allows one to see to what extent Morrone’s meth- Arthur M Shapiro, Population Biology, University odology has generated novel perceptions or rela- of California, Davis, California tionships. But what is that methodology? It is not presented explicitly in this publication. To grasp it one is obliged to seek out his very numerous earlier papers (over 30 since 1992), many of which are not easy to find—even those published in English are often in journals unavailable in any but a handful NEURAL SCIENCES of North American libraries. It is important to know what the methodology is, because Morrone In Search of Madness: Schizophrenia and Neu- provides impressive-looking lists of characteristic roscience. taxa (plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates), but By R Walter Heinrichs. Oxford and New York: Oxford .p; ill.; index 347 ם no basis for evaluating their representativeness. University Press. $39.95. x The basic method is presented in an accessible ISBN: 0-19-512219-4. 2001. venue (1999. The Southwestern Naturalist 44(4):507– More than any other field in medicine, psychiatry 544) where it is applied to Mexico; it is grounded has undergone dramatic epistemological and in parsimony analysis of endemicity, originally pro- therapeutic changes over the last century. These posed by Rosen in 1988. But it clearly incorporates changes have entailed reversals as to the very elements of cladistic biogeography and panbiogeo- nature of psychiatric illness and its treatment, graphy, and the latter component is troublesome. ranging from extremes of psychological to bio- Future historians and sociologists of science logical determinism. In the last 30 or 40 years, should have a field day with the cult of Leon Cro- aided particularly by the discovery of the major izat, otherwise known as panbiogeography. It is, in psychotropic drugs and increasingly sophisticated the words of a colleague, “a method akin to giving methods of neurobiology, we have come to take polygraph tests to disembodied spirits.” Although for granted the basic biological nature of psychi- its terms and methods have become more explicit, atric illness. The ways in which psychiatrists have its value has not. This is evident to Martıń Piera in understood and treated schizophrenia have been the Introduction: “Panbiogeographic analysis has at the core of these changes. In accessible and not enjoyed much prestige among biogeogra- often moving prose, In Search of Madness is a highly phers, and there have always been more detractors original and intelligently critical summary of the than defenders of those who practice the method evidence on the neurobiology of schizophrenia, of Croizat. Nonetheless, the last decade of the 20th which has played a critical role in the recent turn century has seen a resurgence of this methodology. toward biological psychiatry. . . . Overcoming old anathemas, panbiogeographic Heinrichs undertakes a formidable task: the sum- analysis defends itself as an independent method mary of a rapidly growing field (about 2,000 articles capable of generating its own predictions and an are published per year on schizophrenia) and the epistemological element of reciprocal elucidation quantitative assessment of its key studies. To this with other biogeographic disciplines . . . . The work end, he employs the tools of meta-analysis to mea- of Morrone is a good example of this fruitful inter- sure both the strength and variability (via confi- action among...supposedly antagonistic method- dence intervals) of the neurobiological evidence in ologies” (p 6; translated from the Spanish by the the following domains: symptoms; neurocognition; reviewer). Well, perhaps. The utility of the specimen neurochemistry; and neurodevelopment. Heinrichs “tracks” (“trazos” in Spanish) given for each of the presents the fruits of his impressive labors in a series units identified remains to be seen. of chapters, each of which gives an excellent and The very telegraphic descriptions of the vegeta- concise summary of the basic neurobiology of the tion give one little impression of what the prov- domain under examination, followed by the rele- inces actually look like (unlike the Cabrera and Wil- vant meta-analyses. link book), and the identifications of relationships This is not a celebratory book but, instead, a sober with other units are tantalizing, but undocu- and balanced account of what actually has been mented. The summary of conservation status given accomplished over the last 20 years in the neurosci- for each, enumerating perceived threats, is super- ence of schizophrenia. Indeed, it is as much a cau- ficial to the point of near-uselessness. In short, tionary tale of the limitations (thus far) of biological

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 356 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 science in explaining our most baffling of human nificent collection of electrophysiological traces, disorders as it is a critical summary of the evidence. mixed with morphological figures and a section As Heinrich convincingly argues, no single biologi- of helpful color plates. cal or cognitive domain unequivocally marks off A final chapter deals with the attempts of others those with schizophrenia from ostensibly normal to identify the neural correlates of consciousness. controls. In fact, the most robust measure, the P50 Steriade is very critical of those who identify spe- evoked potential, is a neurobehavioral rather than cific neuronal types associated with consciousness. an exclusively biological marker, and even this best It is important not to oversimplify the task of measure yields a 28% overlap between patients and understanding how the brain produces conscious controls. Although this search may someday yield experiences, and the author chastises those who stronger evidence, this provocative and compelling think we are getting close to identifying the neural book reminds us that the long sought biological correlates of consciousness. I can agree that the mechanism for schizophrenia remains at present attempt to relate consciousness to a particular type more of a promise than a reality. of neuron, rather than interacting neuronal Joel Braslow, Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences groups, probably will prove to be wrongheaded, and History, University of California, Los Angeles, but I do not think the future for such studies is as California bleak as Steriade appears to believe. He argues that, since cellular recordings cannot be made in humans, and only humans can express subjective The Intact and Sliced Brain. states, the relating of consciousness to specific neu- By Mircea Steriade. A Bradford Book. Cambridge (Mas- rons or neuronal circuits is a hopeless enterprise. pl; He appears to accept Gerald Edelman’s view that 12 ם p 366 ם sachusetts): MIT Press. $55.00. xv ill.; index. ISBN: 0-262-19456-2. 2001. consciousness is sustained by large clusters of neu- Despite the modest title, there is a wealth of neuronal groups interacting more with themselves rophysiological riches in Mircea Steriade’s latest than with the rest of the brain, but declares that book. His major claim is that the use of brain slice more than this cannot be said. I think that there preparations limits our ability to describe the are more innovations to come in brain analysis, proper behaviors of neurons, which are accessible and that, in considering what is possible, we should only in the intact brain. The author argues that not view ourselves as being limited to the tech- “the genesis of behavioral states cannot be local- niques and approaches available today. ized within discrete brain areas, but depend on David L Wilson, Biology, University of Miami, interactions between various brain structures” (p Coral Gables, Florida 63). In a most useful guide for serious neurosci- entists, Steriade blends his own work with that of others to offer elegant electrophysiological and Graphical Models: Foundations of Neural morphological evidence backing his views. Computation. Computational Neuroscience. An introductory chapter is followed by an excel- Edited by Michael I Jordan and Terrence J Sejnowski. lent summary of major neurophysiological meth- A Bradford Book. Cambridge (Massachusetts): MIT .p; ill.; index 421 ם ods in Chapter 2. The following chapter offers con- Press. $32.95 (paper). xxiv trasting results from brain slice and intact brain ISBN: 0-262-60042-0. 2001. preparations, while Chapter 4 examines brain Graphical models of probability distributions are pathways and networks underlying sleep, waking, central to a mini-revolution in artificial intelligence and epileptic states. Steriade focuses on properties (AI), computational statistics, and neural networks. of thalamic and cortical neurons, and the pathways They began with strong links to such things as to and from these structures, but there is no short- structural equation modeling in statistics, semantic age of information about amygdala, hippocampus, networks in AI, and connectionist networks, but and brainstem. He identifies major neuronal types are now firmly established as the subject of a based on their firing patterns and neurotransmit- research field in their own right. This book ters, and reports on studies concerning neuronal reprints 14 papers from Neural Computation (plus connections and reasons for synchronized firings. one chapter from the famous Parallel Distributed Although the author recognizes the usefulness of Processing books), along with a brief introduction. simplified preparations, he stresses the importance There is certainly merit in collecting together a of examining neuronal circuits in intact brains set of important articles in the field, and the editors during normal functioning, and backs up his are to be commended on their exemplary taste. argument with comparisons of results from the But the stricture that all of the articles or, puz- different techniques. The richly illustrated work zlingly, all but one should come from Neural Com- includes a very complete reference list and a mag- putation leaves one somewhat wistful. So many criti-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 357 cal contributions actually appeared in a wide range introduces a less than mainstream, but very inter- of other journals and conference proceedings— esting, research on the C-100 (also commonly the editors must sometimes have felt it was cruel referred elsewhere as C99 or CTFs) fragment of and unusual punishment not to be allowed to APP and its disrupting effects on intracellular sig- include any of them. For example, there is particu- naling mechanisms. The following chapters intro- larly little on Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling. duce the genetics of neurodegenerative disorders Nevertheless, a wealth of important material did and tau. Chapters are devoted to the remaining key appear in this single journal, and is duly presented molecules in AD, presenilins (PS) and apolipopro- here. One striking observation that emerges is how tein E (ApoE). Its relationship to tau and b-amyloid the field of neural networks discovered that it had (Ab) are presented in detail in additional chapters. been speaking in the language of graphical models An integrative approach is presented in Chapters all along (is the first author really M Jourdain?), 15 through 17, emphasizing the central role of particularly starting from the Boltzmann machine, intracellular calcium, the endoplasmic reticulum, Hinton and Sejnowski’s seminal study of probabil- and oxidative stress. These chapters also discuss the ity density estimation in a recurrent neural net- role presenilins and Ab may play in these disrupted work. Indeed, the Boltzmann machine occupies a signaling cascades. Chapter 17 offers a detailed central role in the book, being the target and illus- and comprehensive review of the evidence, assign- tration for many exact and approximate methods ing a central role to calcium as the key element in for probabilistic inference and learning. The book the disrupted cellular physiology of AD. Two suc- also covers some of the newest ideas in graphical cinct but informative chapters on transgenic mod- models, notably sophisticated theory for approxi- els for AD are also included. Two additional chap- mate inference algorithms in a difficult, but ters present research on acetylcholine receptors unavoidable, class of graphical models, namely and gene expression, and oxidation/inflammation those involving loops. cascades in relation to Ab. This book is likely to be of interest primarily to In summary, this book contains a useful collec- researchers actively working in the field of graph- tion of the most important aspects of cellular and ical models. It contains both older (i.e., more foun- molecular features of AD. Although all chapters dational) and more recent contributions than the are of interest, some would be of greater benefit to otherwise more comprehensive volume, Learning graduate students and scientists not familiar with in Graphical Models, edited by Jordan (1999. Cam- topics such as APP metabolism (Chapters 3 and 4) bridge (MA): MIT Press). and tau (Chapter 6). Good short reviews related to Peter Dayan, Gatsby Computational Neuroscience PS, ApoE, and transgenic models are presented in Unit, University College London, London, United Chapters 9, 10, and 19. The most comprehensive Kingdom review, integrative perspective, and most “repre- sentative” of the title of the book (or symposium), is given in Chapter 17, Dysfunctional intracellular Neuronal Signal Transduction and Alzhei- calcium homoeostasis: a central cause of neuro- mer’s Disease. Based on a symposium held in Cork, degeneration in Alzheimer’s disease. Overall, this Ireland, September 1999. Biochemical Society Sympo- book offers a very good summary of this active field sium, Volume 67. of research. Organized and Edited by C O’Neill and B Anderton. Rene´ Etcheberrigaray, NeuroLogic, Incorpo- p; ill.; rated, Rockville, Maryland 213 ם London: Portland Press. £65.00. xii subject index. ISBN: 1-85578-133-6. 2001. This volume contains a collection of articles summarizing the research and perspectives of leading Visual Attention and Cortical Circuits. Based groups in the field of molecular/cellular Alzhei- on a workshop held in early 1999 at Two Harbors, Cat- mer’s disease (AD) research. It nicely covers alina Island. (although with some redundancy) the biology of Edited by Jochen Braun, Christof Koch, and Joel L the amyloid precursor protein and its metabolites. Davis. A Bradford Book. Cambridge (Massachusetts): ;.pl; ill 16 ם p 313 ם Fibrillization and aggregation are prominent top- MIT Press. $60.00. xix ics in the first chapter, and these events are sug- index. ISBN: 0-262-02493-4. 2001. gested as potential targets for therapeutics devel- Traditionally, visual attention in psychology was a opment. Chapter 3 more directly introduces the wispy phenomenon studied by behavioral meth- participation of signal transduction mechanisms ods, while neurophysiologists were restricted to focusing on posttranslational modifications and studying more robust, concrete effects. Now the the effects of protein kinase C (PKC) on processing tables are turned—cognitive psychologists have of amyloid precursor protein (APP). Chapter 4 shown that visual attention has a greater effect on

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 358 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 what we actually experience than details such as book for graduate clocks courses around the world. where the gaze is directed, and neurophysiologists Since that time, the field of chronobiology—the with sophisticated new methods find attention study of biological circadian rhythms—has literally everywhere in the brain (well, almost everywhere). exploded onto the pages of the most prestigious The current volume shows how attention can be journals and into the popular press like no other studied physiologically, using ingenious experi- field. Since that time, the existence and function mental designs in awake monkeys and noninvasive of highly conserved “clock genes” have been dis- anatomical measures in humans. Attention modu- covered in most organisms studied, raising inter- lates responses in intraparietal, inferior temporal, esting evolutionary questions about the antiquity motion sensitive, and prefrontal areas. The frontal of biological clocks. The molecular basis for mel- eye fields, which would be better named frontal atonin biosynthesis has been largely worked out, as attention fields, may code directly for task rele- has the function of melatonin receptors within the vance. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging brain. Since the publication of Aschoff’s book, the (fMRI) studies in humans show that activation in discovery that transplantation of fetal hypothala- primary visual cortex changes substantially as mus into the brains of lesioned rodents could attention shifts from one hemifield to another. In restore behavioral rhythmicity has raised hopes for both human and monkey, attentional effects are new therapies as well as new analytical tools, and now found at the primary visual cortex, a modu- several pharmacological agents have been discov- lation first reported in 1982 (B Bridgeman. Neuro- ered that can alter the biological clock of animals psychologia 20(1):33–42) in single cells, but attrib- and man. One of these substances is melatonin, uted here to work performed a decade later. which has been touted as a treatment for every- Cognitive psychologists have asked whether thing from jet lag and insomnia to aging, and has attention modulates visual processing early in the been the subject of popular as well as erudite text- processing stream (early selection), or later as books. motor responses are being organized (late selec- Thus, the publication of the current volume was tion). There is evidence on both sides, and it is an greatly anticipated and is now applauded for its active controversy. The editors point out that phys- long time coming. This massive book (770 pages) iological work shows attention acting at multiple comprises 26 chapters authored by leaders in the levels, a conclusion that psychological approaches field, and is organized in six parts ranging from to attention have not yet had time to accommo- introductory chapters to a curious trip through date. microbiological model systems to basic neurosci- Several papers in the volume, as well as the edi- ence and on to clinical research on sleep disorders tors’ masterful summary of the work, invoke sali- in humans. There are features of this book that ency as a criterion for the direction of attention. meet its high expectations. First, the sole chapter Saliency requires a computation to judge it, however, implying a late selection by some computa- explaining formal properties of entrainment (by tion outside the current domain of attentional Daan and Aschoff) is a concise treatment of clas- research. It is a name for a problem rather than a sical literature and a necessary primer for any seri- solution to one. The editors conclude that perhaps ous study of clocks. Second, the discussions of the saliency is the limited capacity that defines atten- suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) by Moore and tion. The circularity of this conclusion shows how Leak, and those of the development of mammalian far attentional research has come, and how far it clocks (by Davis and Reppert) and of the cellular must still go. physiology of SCN function (by Bouskila et al.) are Bruce Bridgeman, Psychology, University of Cali- particularly useful and encyclopedic treatments of fornia, Santa Cruz, California central issues of SCN function. Finally, chapters on sleep (by Borbe´ly et al.) and on seasonal rhythms in humans (by Wehr) are especially informative Handbook of Behavioral Neurobiology. Vol- and entertaining. ume 12: Circadian Clocks. Yet, for such a large tome, there are glaring Edited by Joseph S Takahashi, Fred W Turek, and Rob- omissions, some of which are very understandable. ert Y Moore. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum First, in a field that has moved as rapidly as has p; ill.; index. biological clocks, the chapters on the molecular 770 ם Publishers. $175.00. xxiii ISBN: 0-306-46504-3. 2001. genetics of clock function in Drosophila (by Young) It has been more than 20 years since the publica- and in mammals (by Ralph and Vitaterna), albeit tion of Biological Rhythms (1981. New York: Plenum well written, are now woefully out of date. Second, Press), edited by the late Ju¨rgen Aschoff, a volume it is difficult to understand why there are six long many consider a classic and the last decent text- chapters on human circadian rhythms, many of

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 359 which are redundant in both information and cita- umes, nine have contributed an update. Six pro- tion, when there are no chapters on important vide exciting new data and conceptual innovations. model systems such as the avian pineal gland, zebra Fentress and Gadbois introduce a sophisticated fish, and mammalian retina. This is particularly descriptive and analytic scheme for the study of egregious when one considers there are three motor development. Burghardt admirably tackles chapters reviewing microbiological model systems, the conceptual and empirical issues associated with whose relationship to “behavioral neurobiology” the concept of play. Hogan builds a theory of neu- has to be considered a stretch. Further, there is no robehavioral development, uniting behavioral sys- discussion of the regulation of melatonin biosyn- tems that are organized before they serve their thesis or the effects of the hormone on circadian functions with those organized by the conse- clocks. Finally, perhaps the most intriguing recent quences of their functioning. Johnson and Leon discovery in this field is the presumed homology demonstrate how early olfactory experiences are among molecular clockworks in the many animal coded at the glomerular level. Hirsch et al. show systems. Yet, there is no scholarly analysis of clock that the visual system of flies is as tunable by visual evolutionary biology except for a brief chapter that and activity-dependent experience as the visual sys- merely extols the real virtues of “comparative tem of kittens, and these developmental processes research.” In all, this is a welcome addition to the contribute to the reproductive success of the flies. clocks literature, but at a hefty price and with the Holmes provides another developmental comple- aforementioned omissions, I believe the field still ment to the evolutionary account of nepotism by needs a replacement for Aschoff’s volume as a ref- showing how the presence of the mother and the erence for new clocks researchers. offspring’s sleeping in the nest establish social pref- Vincent M Cassone, Biology, Texas A&M Univer- erences among ground squirrels. sity, College Station, Texas Three authors have altered their previous chapters so extensively that they are new pieces. Bru- nelli and Hofer show that selective breeding, for Handbook of Behavioral Neurobiology. Vol- strains of rat pups that produce many or few ultra- ume 13: Developmental Psychobiology. sonic vocalizations when removed from their nest, Edited by Elliott M Blass. New York: Kluwer Aca- affects their pattern of development rather than p; just the development of the selected trait. Kehoe 619 ם demic/Plenum Publishers. $140.00. xvii ill.; index. ISBN: 0-306-46489-6. 2001. and Shoemaker demonstrate that mild experi- As Oppenheim notes in the preface to his ences of short-term maternal separation produce reprinted article for this volume, developmental enduring changes in the neurobiology and behav- psychobiology ought to be the foundation for ior of rat offspring that are only manifested when investigating the behavioral and psychological the individual encounters relatively mild behav- development of all species because it draws on con- ioral and neurochemical challenges. West and cepts and theoretical notions to frame the investi- King show us how to investigate the subtleties and gation and interpretation of psychological devel- richness of developmental pathways. opment. Therefore, it provides a distinctly New authors provide good reviews of four issues biological approach that avoids the conceptual pit- addressed in the previous volumes—Forger on sex falls of simplistic reductionist models of molecular difference in behavior; Blumberg on thermal genetics or neurology. homeostasis; DeVoogd and Lauay on avian song In the years since the initial appearance of Vol- development; and Hill on taste development. A umes 8, Developmental Psychobiology and Developmen- new chapter by Weller addresses the development tal Neurobiology (1986. New York: Plenum Press), of motivating systems in the rat. and 9, Developmental Psychobiology and Behavior Ecol- George F Michel, Psychology, DePaul University, ogy (1988. New York: Plenum Press), of this hand- Chicago, Illinois book, the Human Genome Project has been virtually completed and we have experienced the decade of the brain. Thus, Blass (editor of all three ERRATUM volumes) provides an update based on our greater genetic and neurological sophistication that dem- Michael Keeley was coreviewer (with Ted onstrates again that developmental psychobiology Abel) of the review on Gateway to Memory: An is exquisitely designed to illuminate the processes Introduction to Neural Network Modeling of the whereby genomes of fertilized cells become behav- Hippocampus and Learning, by Mark A Gluck iors in social and environmental contexts. and Catherine E Meyers [The Quarterly Of the 20 primary authors from the previous vol- Review of Biology, 77(2): 229–230].

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 360 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77

where to go for more information. There are detailed notes to each chapter at the back of the book, where various ideas and observations are elaborated, and a separate bibliography of over 400 references. Anna T C Feistner, Durrell Wildlife Conservation BEHAVIOR Trust, Trinity, Jersey, United Kingdom

Tree of Origin: What Primate Behavior Can Tell Us about Human Social Evolution. Animal Signals: Signalling and Signal Design Edited by Frans B M de Waal. Cambridge (Massachu- in Animal Communication. Based on a symposium .held in Kongsvoll, Norway, 15–20 September 1998 311 ם setts): Harvard University Press. $29.95. vii p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-674-00460-4. 2001. Edited by Yngve Espmark, Trond Amundsen, and The goal of the nine behavioral primatologist Gunilla Rosenqvist. Trondheim (Norway): Tapir Aca- authors in this book is to broadly understand demic Press. $80.00. 496 p; ill.; subject and taxo- human social evolution from studies of great apes: nomic indexes. ISBN: 82-519-1545-7. 2000. their social organization, communication, subsis- Animal communication is a bafflingly complicated tence, reproduction, learned habits, and cogni- subject. Studies of signaling systems in animals tion. Human behavior is seen as a product of evo- require knowledge of the physics of the commun- lution and, therefore, amenable to the same icatory modality, sensory physiology and neuro- explanatory framework as animal behavior. The biology, and evolutionary theory. Given this com- nine chapters cover the following topics: sex and plexity, symposium volumes establish their worth reproduction, social organization, social sophisti- by containing chapters that either draw syntheses cation and cognition, and hominization. from scattered journal articles or contain other- There has been no attempt to synthesize the wise unpublished data and insights. This volume, varying viewpoints, and authors were encouraged the result of a 1998 symposium, contains 25 papers, to speculate, so a convincing chapter arguing that representing the work of 44 authors. All of the hunting and meat eating may have driven the evo- chapters but one deal with vertebrate signaling sys- lution of human social intelligence is followed by tems. Twenty chapters focus on visual or auditory another suggesting, just as cogently, that homini- communication, one chapter with major histocom- zation may have depended on eating and, impor- patibility complex-correlated olfactory cues, and tantly, cooking underground storage organs such the remaining four are primarily theoretical in as roots and tubers. This is a strength, since it gives content. The cluster of chapters on the role of readers not only insight into the diversity of cur- color in signals (Andersson’s chapter on bird col- rent thinking on what “drove” the very rapid evo- oration; Cuthill et al. on ultraviolet signals in birds; lution of humans, but also illustrates the scientific and Marshall on reef fish), as a group, wonderfully process, whereby several competing and comple- illustrates the complex nexus of physics, neuro- mentary hypotheses are presented for discussion. biology, and evolution that governs signal design. These differences of opinion are evident through- This integration does not appear elsewhere and out—are chimpanzees or bonobos the best model these chapters will make this volume a useful tool of the last common ancestor of humans and apes? for teachers of animal behavior courses. Although Is meat eating or are plant foods more important? some of the other chapters are interesting, the rest Is human language a further development from of the book does not quite rise to this level. For primate communication precursors, or is it more example, Kilner’s summary of her work on begging functionally similar to grooming? The authors also by cuckoo chicks concisely draws together a fasci- bring in studies from other species, giving a per- nating study. In a broader perspective, one of the spective that goes beyond apes to include other pri- most important enterprises in the contemporary mates and animals as well. study of animal signals is the development of sig- This book is an easy and stimulating way for nal-processing analogies across signal modalities teachers, lecturers, and students at all levels and in and across taxa. These analogies then lead to neu- many disciplines (animal behavior, human biology, robiological hypotheses. The near absence of chap- anthropology, and psychology) to get up to date ters on olfactory signals, the complete lack of mate- with the current views and debates in the ape- rial on electrical communication, and the book’s human evolution field. The chapters are jargon- taxonomic narrowness reduce its value in further- free and the writing is uninterrupted by refer- ing such a synthesis. This book is a worthwhile ences. For specialists there are plenty of cues as to acquisition for investigators who work on commu-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 361 nication and for teachers of animal behavior Model Systems in Behavioral Ecology: Inte- courses. grating Conceptual, Theoretical, and Empiri- Michael D Breed, Environmental, Population & cal Approaches. Monographs in Behavior and Ecology. Organismic Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Edited by Lee Alan Dugatkin. Princeton (New Jersey): Colorado Princeton University Press. $79.50 (hardcover); :p; ill.; index. ISBN 551 ם paper). xxiii) $35.00 0-691-00652-0 (hc); 0-691-00653-9 (pb). 2001. Behavioral Ecology of Tropical Birds. This book is a collection of chapters representing By Bridget J M Stutchbury and Eugene S Morton. San various “model systems” in behavioral ecology. As Diego (California): Academic Press. $69.95 (hard- a firm believer in the old adage that with a good ם cover); $39.95 (paper). ix 165 p; ill.; index. question, one searches for the most appropriate ISBN: 0-12-675555-8 (hc); 0-12-675556-6 (pb). species in which to test it, I looked forward to read- 2001. ing what proponents of this alternate approach Studies of tropical biota offer diverse opportunities had to say, and perhaps to find new systems in to enhance and evaluate what we know about the which to test hypotheses without the logistic diffi- evolutionary ecology of animals. The physical envi- culties of having to start from scratch. ronment, diversity and evolutionary history of spe- Taxonomically, the 25 chapters range widely— cies, and overall complexity of interspecific inter- from insects and arachnids to mammals (even actions often differ from those at temperate including a chapter on virtual ecology). A number latitudes. Given that most empirical studies of ani- of well-known model systems (particularly those mals are conducted in Europe and North America, used by Europeans) have been left out, but those Stutchbury and Morton contend that much of what is accepted about the behavioral ecology of included give a sense of the range of study systems birds reflects a “temperate zone bias” in our under- used by behavioral ecologists and the questions standing. By illustrating this bias on a series of top- they have used them to address. ics, Stutchbury and Morton seek to “dispel the tem- Model Systems in Behavioral Ecology actually appears perate zone biologists’ ignorance of tropical to be two rather different books squeezed into one. biology and to stimulate more research on tropical Each chapter includes a personal account of the birds” (p 8). Although the authors may be a bit investigator’s intellectual journey, and how they dismissive about the state of knowledge outside chose (or more often, were chosen by) their system. 20ЊN or S, they do have a point; as a group, tropical The graduate students with whom I discussed this species are comparatively understudied. book found these anecdotes especially interesting, Organized into seven chapters, the book consid- and thought anyone just entering the field would ers diverse subjects that include breeding ecology, particularly enjoy the role that serendipity has life-history traits, mating systems, territoriality, played in many careers. communication, and biotic interactions. The suc- The second “book” is a series of reviews of the cess of these chapters in serving the overall goals research in the 25 study systems, focusing largely of the book is uneven. The chapter on breeding on the contributions of the author, using their own ecology is effective in summarizing the timing and study population. This aspect of the book is much length of avian breeding seasons at tropical lati- less useful, as it duplicates recent review articles on tudes, but the coverage of life histories is selective many of these systems that are readily available. It and somewhat uncritical on key aspects of issues also highlights a general problem with the book as such as tradeoffs between life span and clutch size. a whole: the absence of a good definition of exactly The chapter on communication is the most com- what constitutes a model system. Is it a species, a prehensive and discusses the function of song taxon, an interaction, or a particular population? (male and female), formation of dialects, and Whereas a single model system may be exploited plumage variation within and among species. by hundreds of laboratories in fields such as genet- This book contains many testable ideas that, ics and developmental biology, model systems in indeed, should stimulate future research. A problem throughout, however, is the authors’ tendency behavioral ecology are much more tied to individ- to generalize based on their detailed studies of ual researchers or small groups. three species in central Panama. At times, this over- My students and I were disappointed that the reliance is at the expense of synthesis that is truly editor did try to draw some generalities from these needed to characterize patterns and develop a the- individual accounts in order to address questions ory for latitudinal variation in the behavioral ecol- such as: what makes a good model system, how ogy of birds. does one choose it, why is this approach to our Jeffrey D Brawn, Natural Resources & Environ- science valuable (compared to alternatives), and mental Sciences, University of Illinois, Champaign, when does one drop a model system and switch to Illinois another? He could even have made this more inter-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 362 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 esting for behavioral ecologists by casting the dis- to do “micro-environment exploration”—using a cussion in the light of such concepts as optimal robot to discover what sort of signals are available foraging, i.e., considering a system as a patch in the sensory domains, and at the physical scale, (patch choice, depletion, marginal rate of return, of a target animal. departure rules, and state dependence), frequency This short book is a sampler of current research, dependence and alternative strategies, and the with six chapters on invertebrate (or invertebrate- comparative approach. A deeper consideration of like) sensorimotor mechanisms, and two on the applicability of a specific model system’s con- human-like perceptual development. The various tribution to the broad conceptual and theoretical contributions reveal a range of quite different issues that concern the editor would also have been research methodologies, some focused on specific valuable. Granted, many of the individual chapters biological target systems, some much more do address these broader issues, and their authors’ abstract, and others showing an underlying tension own prominence in the field is proof of the bene- between biological and engineering goals. The fits of the model system approach, but more syn- best chapters demonstrate an in-depth knowledge thesis would have been valuable. of the relevant biological database (e.g., cricket The book will be a useful guide for new students, phonotaxis, cockroach walking, lobster chemo- as well as for more experienced researchers look- orientation, or human visual attention), an aware- ing for a quick review of a particular species or for ness of the compromises necessary in creating a fascinating personal anecdotes to enrich their lec- physical model, and a strong desire both to address tures. I will use the volume this way, and am glad current biological hypotheses and to formulate to add it to my bookshelf. new ones. The introduction and epilogue provide Lawrence M Dill, Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser a brief history and review of biorobotics together University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada with an insightful discussion of methodological issues. In all, this book can be recommended to anyone interested in exploring the current state of Biorobotics: Methods and Applications. Based the art, and future potential, of this exciting new on a symposium held in Orlando, Florida, 23–25 October field. 1998. Tony J Prescott, Psychology, University of Sheffield, Edited by Barbara Webb and Thomas R Consi. Menlo Sheffield, United Kingdom Park (California): American Association for Artificial Intelligence Press; Cambridge (Massachusetts): MIT .p; ill.; index 208 ם Press. $35.00 (paper). xiv ISBN: 0-262-73141-X. 2001. A biorobot is an animal-like robot usually intended as both a sophisticated physical model of its animal counterpart and as a means for investigating the HUMAN BIOLOGY & HEALTH technological possibilities of biologically inspired behavioral systems. As this book demonstrates, bio- Genes, Peoples, and Languages. robotics (alternatively biomimetic or biomorphic By Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza; translated by Mark robotics) is a research discipline in its infancy, just Seielstad. Berkeley (California): University of Califor- .p; ill.; index 228 ם beginning to develop models with a significant nia Press. $15.95 (paper). xii degree of biological realism, and with a method- ISBN: 0-520-22873-1. [Originally published by ology still in the process of being formulated. So North Point Press, New York.] 2000. why should biologists be interested in biorobotics? The intent of this book is to introduce intelligent This book provides several persuasive answers and laics to the fascinating subject of our prehistoric illustrates them with a number of detailed exam- origins as inferred from evidence in genetics, ples of work in progress. The principle argument archeology, and linguistics. The volume is pleasant for robot modeling is to overcome some of the and easy reading, and even though I work in this limitations of computer simulation. Although field, I encountered a substantial amount of infor- simulations clearly have their place, they neces- mation that was new or, if familiar, was presented sarily involve simplified representations of the in an interesting, novel context. In places, the animal’s environment that often fail to capture account is somewhat autobiographical, granting some of its critical (and possibly hitherto unde- readers a glimpse into an interesting and distin- tected) properties. Therefore, robotics adds to guished scientific career spanning the second half the traditional toolbox of theoretical biology both of the last century. As a researcher in this area, I the possibility of replacing environment simula- am not the best judge of the book’s accessibility to tion by the environment “itself,” and the chance its intended readership. I did wonder how compre-

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 363 hensible some of the passages would be to nonspe- matically and chronologically. A human angle is cialists, however. For example, uninitiated readers provided by detailing the relationship of key peo- will learn little from the explanation of principal ple to developments in California, including men- components. There is the occasional blooper: the tal tester Lewis Terman, victim of sterilization Ann author indicates that mitochondrial DNA is a small Cooper Hewitt, and Paul Popenoe of California’s organ present in every cell and transmitted to the Human Betterment Foundation. The chapters progeny by the mother (p xii). trace the story from segregation of the “unfit,” More disturbing is the absence of any mention through the development of sterilization, sex and of the controversies surrounding several of the top- reproduction, the rise of sterilization, and then ics propounded in the book, especially those based past the usual World War II cutoff point and into on work by the author and his group. The intended the 1960s. Through her treatment, Kline teases out audience will be unaware of the objections raised some of the more subtle relationships (for exam- to Cavalli-Sforza’s methods of representing and ple, among eugenics, feeblemindedness, prostitu- comparing genetic and linguistic trees, and the tion, and venereal disease). absence of any quantitative measure of agreement Despite the solid research and the clarity of the or consensus between the two. Nor are readers told presentation, the book is not without its prob- that most of the (gene frequency) data underlying lems—primarily it is too narrow. Kline gives the the principal component maps have numerous impression that gender and female sexuality were missing observations and that as a consequence the sole issues in eugenics, although in reality there these maps are based on interpolated and was a complex web of issues including gender, smoothed gene frequency surfaces. It has been race/ethnicity, economics, disability, intelligence, shown that such maps are subject to large errors, and mental health. Not all eugenic thinking was and that even spatially random data treated in this related to gender and female sexuality. For exam- manner exhibit apparent geographic trends. As a ple, in 1921 the Eugenics Record Office proposed consequence, results featured as principal com- legislation to allow any taxpayer to obtain an ponent maps should be approached with consid- injunction preventing a blind person from marry- erable caution. Other critics, such as Marek Zve- ing if there was a risk of their children requiring lebil (on the European Neolithic) or Alan Fix (on state assistance. Although economics is ignored interpretation of clines), are similarly ignored. throughout the book, Kline does suggest early on Readers might have profited from a discussion (at that race/ethnicity was at the center of eugenics an appropriate level) of the statistical under- along with gender and sexuality. But she then pinning crucial to the valid interpretation of ignores it except in the strange argument that results in this field. eugenic sterilization was racially motivated pre- Despite these reservations, I can recommend cisely because it was not aimed at ethnic minorities. this book as the best extant source in English to Acknowledgement of the raft of issues and moti- anyone who wishes to know more about the origins vations at the heart of eugenics and some locating of modern human populations. Readers will learn of this work in relation to those issues would have a lot from it. They should just take some of its added immensely to the usefulness of the book. claims cum grano salis. Similarly, Kline does not make explicit links with Robert R Sokal, Ecology & Evolution, State Uni- states outside of California, particularly the East versity of New York, Stony Brook, New York Coast/Midwest region where eugenics was strongest. Both additions would have been invaluable because the interrelationships between the com- Building a Better Race: Gender, Sexuality, ponent parts of the eugenic ideology were so com- and Eugenics from the Turn of the Century plex and because simple extrapolation from Cali- to the Baby Boom. fornia is difficult due to state histories differing so By Wendy Kline. Berkeley (California): University of enormously in eugenic legislation enacted, num- p; ill.; index. bers sterilized, and the gender proportions of 218 ם California Press. $35.00. xv ISBN: 0-520-22502-3. 2001. those sterilized. This volume is a long overdue examination of Kline takes the story through to the 1960s American eugenics in the context of gender and because she wishes to disprove the alleged claim of female sexuality. Kline takes a fresh approach in other historians that eugenics had vanished as a examining this much-neglected theme by focusing scientific and academic discipline by the end of the on California, which despite its importance in the 1930s. Although Kline presents interesting infor- history of eugenics is also underrepresented in the mation on where eugenics went through to the literature. This reworked PhD dissertation is well 1960s, her basic claim is wrong. Most historians structured, presenting the core issues both the- argue that eugenics reinvented and hid itself in

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 364 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 newer movements, such as population control, cluding with a “group report.” The first part intro- human genetics, and family planning. This is not duces and defines the main concepts that are in conflict with Kline’s treatment of postwar eugen- aimed at “rethinking rationality” in terms of evo- ics, but is in conflict with her presentation of his- lutionism. The second part explores simple and torical work to date. robust heuristic strategies, and tries to determine The book is an original and important look at a why they are effective in the environments in which theme that has long been neglected in histories of they have evolved. The next part focuses on the eugenics. It is unfortunate that Kline does not role played by emotions and social processes in locate the central themes within the U.S. move- decision making, both on the individual and col- ment as a whole—either geographically or concep- lective levels. The final part is concerned with the tually. Some readers will be able to do this for them- role of culture in bounded rationality and exam- selves, but those less well read in the history of ines how the cultural transmission of norms allow eugenics will struggle. The book, however, does individuals to rely on behavioral algorithms that bring a new dimension to our understanding of greatly cut the costs of search, experimentation, and eugenics, and its themes should be integrated into data processing and storage. Each chapter is fol- future work on American eugenics. lowed by bibliographical references and there is a Jonathan A P Lelliott, History, University of subject and name index at the end of the volume. Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Australia The general structure of the book preserves the dynamic of the symposium on which it is based, thanks to the thematic clustering of specialized posi- Bounded Rationality: The Adaptive Toolbox. tion papers followed by collective reports that aptly Based on a workshop held in Berlin, Germany, 14–19 summarize the state of the art for each one of the March 1999. Dahlem Workshop Reports. four topics considered. These reports, which have Edited by Gerd Gigerenzer and Reinhard Selten. Cam- high-standard textbook qualities such as complete- ness and clarity of exposition, also point to problems 377 ם bridge (Massachusetts): MIT Press. $39.95. xv p; ill.; subject and name indexes. ISBN: 0-262- that still need to be solved. The position papers 07214-9. 2001. themselves present original research and arguments This volume presents the proceedings of a multi- from the point of view of economics, cognitive sci- disciplinary workshop held in 1999, which ence, evolutionary biology, and anthropology. addressed the issue of the actual, shortcut strate- Paul Bouissac, Victoria College, University of gies humans have evolved in order to reach adap- Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada tive decisions, as opposed to the virtual, idealized notion of universal reason whose logic would require exhaustive examinations of the data and time-consuming logical procedures. Rationality is constrained (bounded) by the limited computational capacities of the human brain, the time and energy requirements of its processes, and the cul- BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES tural and historical conditioning of the norms it follows. The general thesis of the book is that The Antibiotic Paradox: How the Misuse of humans have opportunistically exploited the reg- Antibiotics Destroys Their Curative Powers. ularities of their environment to evolve “fast and Second Edition. frugal” strategies that bypass the step-by-step anal- By Stuart B Levy. Cambridge (Massachusetts): Perseus ;.p; ill 353 ם ysis of the choice situations to which they are con- Publishing. $17.00 (paper). xx fronted. This heuristic approach makes extensive index. ISBN: 0-7382-0440-4. 2002. use, for example, of stereotyping, imitation, and The author fulfills the promise of the book’s title, emotions that provide a set of ready-made, fast providing many examples of the overuse and con- track answers (the adaptive toolbox) to physical, sequent abuse of specific antibiotics with danger- social, and intellectual challenges. Although these ous and sometimes fatal consequences for patients strategies for quick estimation, comparison, or cat- suffering from infections. Describing an antibiotic, egorization do not necessarily lead to an absolute the term coined by Selman Waxman in 1941, as “a optimization of choice making, they are neverthe- natural substance made by one microorganism less cost-efficient responses that have been proven that inhibits growth of another microorganism” (p to be statistically adaptive, hence their natural 33), Levy explains in detail the many interactions selection through evolutionary time. between bacterial elements that must be considered The volume is separated into four parts, each when using bacteria as a therapeutic. Antibiotics are comprising three or four position papers and con- constantly evolving and losing their therapeutic

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions September 2002NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 365 effects because of overexposure to pathogens biasis, and burrelia. AIDS, an industry all by itself, is brought about by overuse to treat disease symptoms omitted. The authors pay more attention to the that may not be caused by bacteria and by the actual microorganisms and to the symptoms they demands of patients who are unaware of the func- cause than to epidemiology, but respectful mention tion and limitations of antibiotics. is made to such matters as the increased contact Antibiotics are unusual drugs in that they treat between suburbanites and white deer ticks, the dan- communities as well as the individuals who take gers of infections contracted through hemodialysis, them. Bacteria, which cover our bodies in vast quan- and the increase of maladies spread by the contam- tities (one hundred thousand billion on the skin inated water in our growing Third World cities, and intestinal tract), move to other individuals and among others. the environment readily, thus becoming resistant to The final two papers deal with bioterrorism. antibiotics that travel to others as well. Antibiotic How very long ago the 10th of September seems, resistance that helps the bacteria, pathogenic or with its naı¨ve conviction that bioterrorism was not otherwise, to survive presents a major difficulty to a significant threat (p 215) and the remark that the physician trying to treat a serious infection. The there has been no case of inhalational anthrax in arsenal of antibiotics may be used up quickly, leaving the U.S. in over 20 years (p 225). the patient defenseless. The discovery and produc- The two papers on bioterrorism are particularly tion of new antibiotics is limited, although manufac- valuable in that their authors wrote them before turers are constantly seeking different strategies to September 11th and cannot be accused of panic. produce effective antibiotics. The major method at They provide sage analyses and recommendations present remains to limit their use. for what to do in preparation. They should be read Providing a host of scenarios in which antibiotics carefully by all of us. have been used to kill harmful bacteria, followed Alfred W Crosby, American Studies, University of by the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria, Texas, Austin, Texas the author successfully shows why we all should use antibiotics very carefully or expect outbreaks of infectious diseases that cannot be eradicated easily, Corpse: Nature, Forensics, and the Struggle or perhaps at all. An epilogue on bioterrorism and to Pinpoint Time of Death. anthrax puts the topic in graver perspective. This By Jessica Snyder Sachs. Cambridge (Massachusetts): .p; index 270 ם volume should be read and discussed by as many Perseus Publishing. $25.00. xi people as possible. ISBN: 0-7382-0336-X. 2001. Audrey B Davis, Baltimore, Maryland Not for the weak of stomach, this is the history of the forensic science of determining time of death. A corpse is an ecosystem whose residents and their Emerging Infections 5. Based on presentations given excretions and secretions, juxtaposed against the at the 2000 Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial time frame of development, serve as clocks. The Agents and Chemotherapy, Toronto, Canada. book traces the beginnings of the field to the Edited by W Michael Scheld, William A Craig, and ancient Greeks and their descriptions of rigor mor- James M Hughes. Washington (DC): ASM Press. tis and algor mortis, to today’s “body farm” in Ten- pl; ill.; index. nessee, to tomorrow’s analyses of vitreous humour 11 ם p 242 ם paper). xv) $79.95 ISBN: 1-55581-216-3. 2001. and mitochondrial DNA as dating tools. It is only been a generation since many of us Forensic entomology, in particular, lends itself believed that infectious disease had been beaten well to evoking disgust. Maggot lovers will thrill to back and was no longer a primary threat to human- the tale of a woman with a sinus headache accom- ity. Tuberculosis had been tamed, polio too, small- panied by larvae wiggling from her nostrils. The pox completely extinguished, and other commu- author waxes eloquent on all manner of revolting nicable maladies were on the run. Emerging details: “Looking inside, he saw, not the usual Infections 5 is a collection of papers from a meeting amorphous mass of coagulated brain tissue, but of the Interscience of the Infectious Diseases Soci- what he judged to be about a hundred plump, ety of America (ICAAC) that quietly and factually cooked maggots” (p 189). demolishes such illusions. The dating of death requires rather unconven- The old nasties like tuberculosis and malaria tional methods. The most common is pitching rearm and return as new nasties arise. The subjects freshly killed pigs from car windows and then of this book are defined as new, returning, or drug- observing the comings and goings of various resistant infections of increasing virulency (p 185). microbes and arthropods as the animals rot. The Among those discussed are West Nile virus infection, author details several variations on this theme, a staph that can sweep our hospitals, Q fever, ame- including dressing pigs in underwear to simulate

This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.72.225 on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:17 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 366 THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY Volume 77 the human condition, and stuffing a human skull text, with the exception of the last chapter, with hamburger and counting fly eggs at day’s end. describes herbal products based on their pharma- A graduate student recorded the types of pollen in cological actions: stimulants, cognitive enhancers, his nose every day for a year, and a physiologist/ sedatives and anxiolytics, psychotherapeutics, anal- botanist team chewed, spewed, and viewed under gesics and anesthetics, and hallucinogens. The a microscope various salad components to write a final chapter is devoted entirely to the actions and guide for analyzing stomach contents. use of cannabis. The author captures the uncertainty and unpre- Chapters 4 through 10 begin with a brief his- dictability of forensic science. One leader in the torical review on the use of each pharmacological field admits that a corpse in a disturbed grave that category, followed by a discussion of the specific he dated to a year earlier was actually a Civil War herbal plants within the category. A description hero, in tiptop shape because metal leaching from of the plant, including a figure, its active constit- his buttons slowed decay. Scientific errors in the uents, and other major chemical compounds, is book are few—describing chlorophyll as being presented. The pharmacokinetics, mechanism alive, calling the bumps behind a fly’s wings “halt- of action, pharmacological effects, and adverse erers” rather than halteres, and some confusion effects of each plant are discussed and thoroughly over the plural of pupa. But overall, Corpse is a great referenced. A brief summary is provided at the read—just not while eating. conclusion of the chapter. Ricki Lewis, Contributing Editor, The Scientist The book is well organized and easy to read, containing tables and figures that are helpful and reflect the information presented in a concise StemLab: An Environment for Learning. Version manner. This would be an excellent volume for stu- 1.0. dents taking a course on centrally acting herbal By William K Purves. Sunderland (Massachusetts): drugs. The Mona Group. $39.95 (CD-ROM). ISBN: 1- Elaine D Mackowiak, Pharmacy Practice, School 892852-14-4. 2000. [Requirements—MAC: PowerPC of Pharmacy, Temple University, Philadelphia, Penn- processor, MacOS 8.6 or later, 32MB RAM; Win- sylvania dows: Intel Pentium II/Celeron processor, Win- dows 98 or NT, 32MB RAM.] Out of Its Mind. Psychiatry in Crisis: A Call for Reform. The Psychopharmacology of Herbal Medicine: By J Allan Hobson and Jonathan A Leonard. Cam- Plant Drugs That Alter Mind, Brain, and bridge (Massachusetts): Perseus Publishing. $26.00. .p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-7382-0251-7 292 ם Behavior. xii By Marcello Spinella. Cambridge (Massachusetts): MIT 2001. p; ill.; index. ISBN: This book is written from a particular angle. The 578 ם Press. $24.95 (paper). xi 0-262-69265-1. 2001. authors are a Harvard professor of psychiatry and This volume is a welcome addition for those who a Harvard graduate, and 97% of their cited sources are active researchers or educators, and for anyone and all but one of their named interviewees are who is interested in the mechanism of action of from the U.S. Only three of the quotations heading herbal products that alter mood and behavior in each of their 13 chapters are from authors outside humans. This is a well-researched, well-written, and the U.S. The “crisis” of the book’s title concerns comprehensive collection of information on U.S. psychiatry, especially as seen from Harvard herbal products that affect the brain. and “Mass Mental” (as the authors repeatedly refer The first chapter is an introduction to the use of to the Massachusetts Mental Health Center). The natural substances as drugs, and the legal classifi- wide world outside is rarely mentioned. cation of herbal, nonprescription, and prescrip- The book is separated into four parts: Psychia- tion drugs. It clearly describes the types of evidence try’s Lost Mind; Finding the Mind’s Brain; Psychi- and documentation that are used to determine the atry and the Brain; and Prescription for a New Psy- action and effectiveness of drug therapy. Chapter chiatry. All-too-familiar problems are highlighted: 1 should be required reading for anyone (espe- underfunded and fragmented mental health ser- cially the public) who is about to embark on a plan vices, lack of community facilities for patients with of self-treatment. severe mental illness, and psychiatry’s unpopularity Chapters 2 and 3 provide a review of basic neu- as a choice of medical specialty. Hobson and Leon- rology and pharmacology that is clearly written and ard salute “the coming of strong and effective psy- will be easy to read by those who lack a good foun- chiatric medication” (p 4) and the “sunny pros- dation in these concepts. The remainder of the pects” (p 15) of “neurodynamics” (p 75)—a new

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“psychology that will harness brain science knowl- including developmental and socioeconomic edge to the task of advancing our understanding issues that we know little of as yet. Think of the of the mind” (p 5). They call for a crusade to association of high expressed emotion in the family “blend our growing biomedical knowledge with with relapse of severe mental illness, a point the sound therapy” (p 35). book passes over. The authors outline basic neuroanatomy and try Isaac Marks, Psychiatry, Charing Cross Campus of to link what is known about brain structures with Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College School of Science, psychological processes. After a rather wide-eyed Technology & Medicine, London, United Kingdom and bushy-tailed start, the book gets more cautious and modulated in its second half with some attention to the “embarrassment of interpretive riches” Concise Dictionary of Biomedicine and Molec- (p 191) and a caveat that “[w]hile serious efforts ular Biology. Second Edition. have been made to track schizophrenia through By Pei-Show Juo. Boca Raton (Florida): CRC Press. p; ill.; no index. ISBN: 0- 1154 ם these neuromodulator/neurotransmitter thickets, $129.95. viii most have had very limited success. Nor have we 8493-0940-9. 2002. succeeded in tracking schizophrenia to its lair in some particular brain structure” (pp 191–192). The authors go on to note that “we lack general Beriberi, White Rice, and Vitamin B: A Disease, agreement on anything but a very muddy picture” a Cause, and a Cure. (p 196). They provide interesting case histories to By Kenneth J Carpenter. Berkeley (California): Univer- ;.p; ill 282 ם illustrate various kinds of psychiatric problems, and sity of California Press. $40.00. xiv take an unpopular but necessary stand to defend index. ISBN: 0-520-22053-6. 2000. electric shock therapy for some severely depressed Anyone familiar with the history of tropical medi- people who are suicidal or psychotic (p 167). cine knows just how prevalent, and how puzzling, The level of writing is that of popular journalism. beriberi was in the early 20th century. Character- The impact of its many felicitous phrases is dimin- ized by weakness and numbness in the legs, and ished by its abundance of careless speculations. A leading to swelling of the lower body, and even contentious claim is cited that Charles Darwin heart failure and death, beriberi seemed very probably suffered from an anxiety disorder (p much a disease of place. Although it was associated 135). This may surprise readers of Darwin’s Voyage with certain locations, it could be introduced to of the Beagle, of his autobiography, and of his son’s new territories, affecting locals and sometimes account of his life even more than might the even colonial officers. It was especially common in unmentioned many other diagnoses which have institutions and on ships. What, then, was its cause? been pinned over the years on the great man’s mal- What would explain its distribution? With the rise ady. It is asserted that “suicide has become a lead- of bacteriology, most physicians favored a micro- ing cause of death in the United States” (p 24), but bial explanation, but no specific germ was isolated. no data are given to demonstrate a recent rise in Could it be a toxin? Or, stranger still, some nutri- the suicide rate. The presence of panic in both a tional problem? mother and daughter is taken to mean inheritance Carpenter, professor emeritus of nutrition at (p 147), when it might equally suggest the model- Berkeley, has written “a medical detective story” (p ing of fear. If only it were true that “Parkinson’s xi) that rivals any tale of microbe hunting. The Vita- disease can be treated effectively by planting a min Hunters would not quite work as a title, of small electrode...inside the thalamus to break up course, given the lack of vitality of vitamins, but abnormal slow wave patterns” (p 177). does serve to indicate the narrative style. This is a Few would question that we should strive to lucid and engaging story of the scientific investi- understand brain function and link it tightly with gation of the cause of beriberi, and the subsequent psychological processes wherever possible. As the isolation and synthesis of vitamin B1, or thiamin. It authors indicate, however, tight links are still far thus provides us with a sequel to Carpenter’s earlier too few. Moreover, as they do not note, we can give work, The History of Scurvy and Vitamin C (1986. much effective psychiatric treatment with minimal Cambridge: Cambridge University Press). knowledge of the brain. A good cook can prepare Historians of tropical medicine will be grateful to a delicious bouillabaisse without knowing any bio- Carpenter for finally unravelling the complex story chemistry at all, while a Nobel Prize laureate in of Christiaan Eijkman’s investigations of fowl poly- biochemistry may be hopeless at making such neuritis, a convenient animal model for beriberi, soup. Furthermore, many mental health problems stumbled on accidentally in Batavia (now Jakarta) in may be induced by environmental influences the 1890s. Although Eijkman was awarded the 1929

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Nobel Prize for his “discovery” of vitamins, it seems Human Physiology: The Mechanisms of Body that he wavered after initially suggesting that beri- Function. Eighth Edition. beri was a nutritional disorder, caused by a diet lim- By Arthur Vander, James Sherman, and Dorothy Luci- ited to milled white rice. The pull of bacteriology ano. Boston (Massachusetts): McGraw-Hill. $25.63. .p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-07-290801-7 800 ם was just too strong at the turn of the century. Per- xxxii haps the nutritional deficiency merely prepared the 2001. soil for the still-unknown seed? It was not until the This is a highly readable volume that should appeal first meeting of the Far Eastern Association of Trop- equally well to both students and teachers of bio- ical Medicine, in Manila in 1910, that most colonial medical sciences. Particularly attractive features authorities agreed that beriberi was primarily a include a clear, logical presentation, colorful and nutritional disorder, and it was not until the 1930s helpful illustrations, and a novel organization that thatRRWilliams determined the chemical com- incorporates classical physiology with physiology position of thiamin and synthesized it. As Carpenter explained by the recent discoveries in cell biology concludes: “Research that began as a project in colo- and biochemistry. nial medicine, investigating a strange ‘tropical’ dis- The subject matter is discussed in three parts. The ease confined to particular places, has led to find- first part, Basic Cell Functions, provides a brief but ings of much wider interest” (p 202). helpful review of the chemical composition of the Along the way, we learn about rice as a staple food; body, cell structure, protein activity and cellular the principles of the chemical analysis of foodstuffs; metabolism, genetic information and protein syn- the relationship of alcoholism and nutritional defi- thesis, and movement of molecules across cell ciency; and the means of estimating recommended membranes. Part Two, Biological Control Systems, daily allowances of vitamins and minerals. Most tech- includes overviews of such topics as cellular communication, neurogenic and hormonal control nical material, however, is clustered in appendixes mechanisms, and control of body movement and on thiamin chemistry and biochemistry. Still, this is behavior. Chapters in Part Three, Coordinated Body a book that will appeal principally to those with sci- Functions, deal with the organ systems, namely cir- entific training. The author has retraced the discov- culation, respiration, digestion, reproduction, and ery story, mostly from published sources, and has the regulation of water and inorganic ions (the kid- little interest in the colonial context, or with social neys), and organic metabolism, growth, and energy and political influences of any sort. Thus, medicine balance. A final chapter addresses immunologic and colonialism in the Dutch East Indies still await defense mechanisms, environmental toxins, and their historian. That will be another story, and one stress. Each chapter is followed by a summary, a def- can only hope that it will have the same narrative inition of key terms and applicable clinical terms, drive, clarity, and fascination as this account of the and a set of review and “thought” questions. hunting of the vitamin. The book concludes with a useful glossary of Warwick Anderson, Anthropology, History & terms mentioned throughout the text, and a sub- Social Medicine, University of California, San Fran- ject index. A list of abbreviations is also provided cisco, California on the inside of both covers. One criticism of this otherwise commendable book is the absence of key references for further reading. In addition, certain Advances in Nutritional Research. Volume 10: topics receive rather inadequate treatment. For Immunological Properties of Milk. example, neuropeptides are referred to in two Edited by Bill Woodward and Harold H Draper. New places, but only in passing. Also, the discussion of York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers. $140.00. inflammation fails to mention the important tran- .p; ill.; index. ISBN: 0-306-46603-1. scription factor NF-kappa B 410 ם xxix 2001. Sami I Said, Medicine and Physiology & Biophysics, State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York

Annual Review of Immunology. Volume 20: 2002. Edited by William E Paul, C Garrison Fathman, and Annual Review of Physiology. Volume 64: 2002. Laurie H Glimcher. Palo Alto (California): Annual Edited by Joseph F Hoffman and Paul De Weer. Palo ם pl; ill.; subject Alto (California): Annual Reviews. $67.00. xiv 25 ם p 956 ם Reviews. $72.00. xiv pl; ill.; subject index and cumulative 42 ם index and cumulative indexes (contributing 969 p authors and chapter titles, Volumes 1-20). ISBN: indexes (contributing authors and chapter titles, 0-8243-3020-8. 2002. Volumes 60-64). ISBN: 0-8243-0364-4. 2002.

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DIRECTORY OF PUBLISHERS for books and other materials reviewed in this issue

A. A. Balkema Publishers, P O Box 1675, 3000 BR Firefly Books, 3680 Victoria Park Avenue, Toronto, ;Ontario M2H 3K1, Canada; 416-499-8412 ;4145822 10 31ם ;Rotterdam, The Netherlands www.balkema.nl. 800-387-6192; www.fireflybooks.com. Academic Press, 525 B Street, Suite 1900, San Free Press (Simon & Schuster), 1230 Avenue of the Diego CA 92101-4495; 619-231-6616; 800-321- Americas, New York NY 10020; 212-632-4991; 5068; www.apnet.com. 800-323-7445; www.simonsays.com/thefreepress. Annual Reviews, 4139 El Camino Way, Palo Alto Harvard University Press, 79 Garden Street, Cam- CA 94303-0139; 650-493-4400; 800-523-8635; bridge MA 02138; 617-495-2600; 800-448- www.annualreviews.org. 2242; www.hup.harvard.edu. ASM Press, 1752 North Street NW, Washington Haworth Press, 10 Alice Street, Binghamton NY DC 20036; 202-737-3600; 800-546-2416; www. 13904-1580; 607-722-5857; 800-895-0582; www. amspress.com. haworthpressinc.com. Birkha¨user Verlag, P O Box 133, CH-4010 Basel, Swit- Hill and Wang (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), 19 www.birkhauser.ch. Union Square West, New York NY 10003; 212- ;2050707 61 41ם ;zerland Blackwell Science, Commerce Place, 350 Main 741-6900; www.fsgbooks.com. Street, Malden MA 02148-5018; 781-388-8250; Indiana University Press, 601 North Morton Street, 800-759-6102; www.blacksci.co.uk. Bloomington IN 47404-3797; 812-855-8817; CABI Publishing, 10 East 40th Street, Suite 3203, 800-842-6796; www.indiana.edu/˜iupress. New York NY 10016; 212-481-7018; 800-528- International Association for Plant Taxonomy, 4841; www.cabi.org. Institute of Botany, University of Vienna, 1 43ם ;Cambridge University Press, 40 West 20th Street, Rennweg 14, A-1030 Vienna, Austria New York NY 10011; 212-924-3900; 800-221- 4277 54098; www.botanik.univie.ac.at/iapt/. 4512; www.cup.org. International Development Research Centre Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1 Bungtown (IDRC), 250 Albert Street, P O Box 8500, Road, Cold Spring Harbor NY 11724; 631-349- Ottawa, Ontario K1G 3H9, Canada; 613-236- 1930; 800-843-4388; www.cshl.org. 6163; 888-551-7470; www.idrc.ca. Columbia University Press, 562 West 113th Street, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO Box 845 2 63ם ;New York NY 10025; 212-666-1000; 800-944- 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines .www.irri.org ;0569 845 2 63ם ;www.columbia.edu/cu/cup. 0563 ;8648 Comstock Publishing Associates (Cornell Univer- IOS Press, Nieuwe Hemweg 6B, 1013 BG Amster- ;3355 688 20 31ם ;sity Press), 512 East State Street, P O Box 250, dam, The Netherlands Ithaca NY 14851; 607-277-2338; 800-666-2211; www.iospress.nl. www.cornellpress.cornell.edu. Island Press, 1718 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite Cornell University Press, Sage House, 512 East 300, Washington DC 20009; 202-232-7933; State Street, Ithaca NY 14851; 607-277-2338; 800-828-1302; www.islandpress.org. 800-666-2211; www.cornellpress.cornell.edu. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2715 North Charles CRC Press, 2000 Corporate Boulevard NW, Boca Street, Baltimore MD 21218-4363; 410-516- Raton FL 33431; 561-994-0555; 800-272-7737; 6900; 800-537-5487; www.jhupress.jhu.edu. www.crcpress.com. Kluwer Academic Publishers , P O Box 17, 3300 AA ;6392392 78 31ם ;Earthscan Publications, 120 Pentonville Road, Dordrecht, The Netherlands .www.wkap.nl ;781-871-6600 20 44ם ;London N1 9JN, United Kingdom 72780433; www.earthscan.co.uk. Krieger Publishing, P O Box 9542, Melbourne FL Elsevier Science, P O Box 211, 1000 AE Amster- 32902-9542; 407-724-9542; www.web4u.com/ .krieger-publishing ;4853757 20 31ם ;dam, The Netherlands www.elsevier.nl. McGill-Queen’s University Press, 3430 McTavish

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Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1X9, Canada; Sociedad Entomolo´gica Aragonesa (SEA), Avda. 514-398-3750; www.mqup.mcgill.ca. Radio Juventud, 6, 50012 Zaragoza, Spain; //:http ;535697 976 34ם ;324415 976 34ם McGraw-Hill, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York NY 10020; 212-512-2000; 800-262-4729; entomologia.rediris.es/sea. www.mcgraw-hill.com. Springer, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York NY 10010; 212- Melbourne University Press, 268 Drummond Street, 460-1500; 800-777-4643; www.springer-ny.com. P O Box 278, Carlton South VIC 3053, Australia; Tapir Academic Press, N-7005 Trondheim, Nor- .www.tapir.no/forlag ;10 32 59 73 47ם ;www.mup.unimelb.edu.au. way ;0300 9342 03 61ם Milkweed Editions, Open Book Building, Suite Taylor & Francis, 1900 Frost Road, Suite 101, Bris- 300, 1011 Washington Avenue South, Minne- tol PA 19007; 215-269-0400; 800-821-8312; apolis MN 55415-1246; 612-332-3192; 800-520- www.tandfdc.com. 6455; www.milkweed.org. Texas A&M University Press, Drawer C, College MIT Press, Five Cambridge Center, Cambridge MA Station TX 77843-4354; 409-845-1436; 800- 02142-1493; 617-625-8569; 800-356-0343; www- 826-8911; www.tamu.edu/upress. mitpress.mit.edu. Timber Press, 133 SW Second Avenue, Suite 450, Mona Group, 23 Plumtree Road, Sunderland MA Portland OR 97204-3527; 503-227-2878; 800- 01375; 413-548-3955; www.monagroup.com. 327-5680; www.timber-press.com. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Transaction Publishers, 390 Campus Drive, Som- 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles CA erset NJ 07830; 732-748-0085; 888-999-6778; 90007; 213-763-3466; www.nhm.org. www.transactionpub.com. Oxford University Press, 198 Madison Avenue, New UBC Press, University of British Columbia, 2029 York NY 10016; 212-726-6000; 800-451-7556; West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T www.oup-usa.org. IZ2, Canada; 604-822-5959; 800-663-8583; www. Paleontological Society, 810 East 10th Street, Law- ubcpress.ubc.ca. rence KS 66044; www.paleosoc.org. University of California Press, 2120 Berkeley Way, Parkway Publishers, P O Box 3678, Boone NC 28607; Berkeley CA 94720; 510-642-4247; 800-777- 704-265-3993; www.parkwaypublishers.com. 4726; www-ucpress.berkeley.edu. Perseus Books, 1 Jacob Way, Reading MA 01867; 781- University of Chicago Press, 1427 East 60th Street, 944-3700; 800-449-3356; www.perseusbooks.com. Chicago IL 60637-2954; 773-702-7700; 800- Plenum Press, 233 Spring Street, New York NY 621-2736; www.press.uchicago.edu. 10013-1578; 212-620-8000; 800-221-9369; www. University of South Carolina Press, 718 Devine plenum.com. Street, Columbia SC 29208; 803-777-5243; Portland Press, Commerce Way, Colchester CO2 800-768-2500; www.sc.edu/uscpress. ,University of Washington Press, P O Box 50096 ;6796351 120 44ם ;8HP, United Kingdom 800-535-9544; www.portlandpress.co.uk. Seattle WA 98145-5096; 206-543-8870; 800- Princeton University Press, 41 William Street, 441-4115; www.washington.edu/uwpress. Princeton NJ 08540-5237; 609-883-1759; 800- University Press of Florida, 15 NW 15th Street, 777-4726; www.pup.princeton.edu. Gainesville FL 32611-2079; 352-392-1351; 800- Science Publishers, May Street, P O Box 699, Enfield 226-3822; www.upf.com. NH 03748; 603-632-7377; www.scipub.net. W. W. Norton, 500 Fifth Avenue, New York NY Sheffield Academic Press, Mansion House, 19 King- 10110; 212-354-5500; 800-233-4830; www. field Road, Sheffield S11 9AS, United King- wwnorton.com. www.shef-ac-press.co.uk. Westview Press, 5500 Central Avenue, Boulder ;255-4433 114 44ם ;dom Sinauer Associates, 23 Plumtree Road, P O Box CO 80301-2877; 303-444-3541; 800-386-5656; 407, Sunderland MA 01375-0407; 413-549- www.hcacdemic.com. 4300; www.sinauer.com. Wiley, 605 Third Avenue, New York NY 10158-0012; Smithsonian Institution Press, 750 Ninth Street NW, 212-850-6000; 800-225-5945; www.wiley.com. Suite 4300, Washington DC 20560-0950; 202- Yale University Press, 302 Temple Street, New 275-2300; 800-782-4612; www.si.edu/organiza/ Haven CT 60511; 203-432-0960; 800-987-7323; offices/sipress. www.yale.edu/yup.

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