In natural history, as in history, there is a tension between the generalization and the
individual event. In this book, an example of the general is the equilibrium theory of island …

Oceanic islands are considered living laboratories for studying evolution because their
populations are spatially and temporally confined. There are two completely different types …

In common with several other areas of biology, biogeography has received a renewed surge
of interest for its relevance in the context of global environmental change. The present-day …

The intent of this series is to publish innovative studies in the field of comparative
evolutionary biology, especially by authors willing to introduce new ideas or to challenge or …

GLOSSARY adaptive radiation Evolution of ecological and phenotypic diversity within a
rapidly multiplying lineage. allopatric Occurring in separate, nonoverlapping geographic …

The biology of the Hawaiian Islands consists of organisms evolving and interacting in an
archipelago characterized by extreme isolation, a distinctive geologic history, and a diverse …

Islands are geographically defined as land masses completely surrounded by water, and
island systems have been used as models for many biogeographic, ecological, and …

Islands represent small, isolated “microcosms” with discrete boundaries, they vary greatly in
size, age, isolation, shoreline structure, topography and geology. Due to their isolation from …

The passing of the 50th anniversary of the theory of island biogeography (IBT) has helped
spur a new wave of interest in the biology of islands. Despite the longstanding acclaim of …

Islands have fascinated biologists since the days of Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel
Wallace and before, providing the inspiration for substantial theoretical development that …