Robert M. May has been a pioneer in theoretically driven biology for the last thirty years. He has done key work in population ecology, the dynamics of infectious diseases, extinctions, and other areas. He is currently a Professor at Oxford University as well as President of the Royal Society in Britain. Robert H. MacArthur was Professor of Biology at Princeton University until his death in 1972. Edward O. Wilson is University Research Professor and Honorary Curator in Entomology at Harvard University. He is the author of many books, including Biodiversity, Biophilia. The Diversity of Life, and Naturalist.

"Anyone interested in the history of modern ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation biology should be aware of the content and impact of this seminal work."--Sharon Kingsland, Journal of the History of Biology

• Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols Used xiii 1. The Importance of Islands 3 2. Area and Number of Speicies 8 3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19 4. The Strategy of Colonization 68 5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94 6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123 7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145 8. Prospect 181 Glossary 185 References 193 Index 201

Robert M. May has been a pioneer in theoretically driven biology for the last thirty years. He has done key work in population ecology, the dynamics of infectious diseases, extinctions, and other areas. He is currently a Professor at Oxford University as well as President of the Royal Society in Britain. Robert H. MacArthur was Professor of Biology at Princeton University until his death in 1972. Edward O. Wilson is University Research Professor and Honorary Curator in Entomology at Harvard University. He is the author of many books, including Biodiversity, Biophilia. The Diversity of Life, and Naturalist.

"Anyone interested in the history of modern ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation biology should be aware of the content and impact of this seminal work."--Sharon Kingsland, Journal of the History of Biology

• Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols Used xiii 1. The Importance of Islands 3 2. Area and Number of Speicies 8 3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19 4. The Strategy of Colonization 68 5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94 6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123 7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145 8. Prospect 181 Glossary 185 References 193 Index 201

Robert M. May has been a pioneer in theoretically driven biology for the last thirty years. He has done key work in population ecology, the dynamics of infectious diseases, extinctions, and other areas. He is currently a Professor at Oxford University as well as President of the Royal Society in Britain. Robert H. MacArthur was Professor of Biology at Princeton University until his death in 1972. Edward O. Wilson is University Research Professor and Honorary Curator in Entomology at Harvard University. He is the author of many books, including Biodiversity, Biophilia. The Diversity of Life, and Naturalist.

"Anyone interested in the history of modern ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation biology should be aware of the content and impact of this seminal work."--Sharon Kingsland, Journal of the History of Biology

• Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols Used xiii 1. The Importance of Islands 3 2. Area and Number of Speicies 8 3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19 4. The Strategy of Colonization 68 5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94 6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123 7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145 8. Prospect 181 Glossary 185 References 193 Index 201