Evolutionary Ecology of Plant Reproductive Strategies

Evolutionary biologists have produced a solid body of evidence to explain patterns of diversification, both within and among species. Recent textbooks are weighted towards studies of animals, which is surprising given that plants are ideally suited for answering evolutionary questions. Plants do not stand up and walk away and they can easily be cloned, transplanted or potted for experiments. This book aims to set the record straight by placing the wealth of data that have been collected on plants into the unifying framework of game theory. This allows a test of the theory of natural selection in some cases, while in other cases highlighting the need for additional data collection and theoretical development. It is the authors' hope that many students will take on this challenge and help the study of the evolutionary ecology of plants to develop as a mature, predictive science.

1. Optimisation models; 2. Investments, returns and proportionality; 3. Gain curves: efficiency factors; 4. Evolutionary stable strategies: sex allocation strategies as an example; 5. Size at flowering; 6. Reproductive effort; 7. Size and number trade-offs: the evolution of seed size; 8. Sex allocation theory for partially selfing plants; 9. Size dependent sex allocation; 10. Sex ratios in dioecious plants; 11. Outcrossing, selfing or no sex at all?; 12. Heterostyly; 13. Selective embryo abortion; 14. Attractiveness to pollinators; 15. Parent-offspring conflict; 16. Intragenomic conflict; 17. Group and kin selection; Appendix 1. Mathematical help; References.

This 2005 book places the wealth of data on plant reproductive strategies into the unifying framework of game theory, allowing testing of the theory of natural selection in some cases, while in other cases highlighting the need for additional data collection and theoretical development.

Tom De Jong is a Professor in the Institute of Biology, Leiden University. His research focuses on aspects of the ecology and evolution of dioecious plants.
Peter Klinkhamer is a Professor in the Institute of Biology, Leiden University. His interests include the evolution of monocarpy, optimal defense against herbivory and selective embryo abortion.