Systematics, ecology and the biodiversity crisis

Abstract

This book is a result of the international symposium "The role of museums in the biodiversity crisis" held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, USA, on 15-16 March 1990. The book explores the relationship between ecology and systematics and their different approaches to the problems of biological diversity. Emphasis is given to the role of systematics and biological conservation institutions in promoting awareness and contributing to the minimization of the current biodiversity crises. The subject is presented in the following chapters: (1) where the twain meet: causal intersections between the genealogical and ecological realms (N. Eldredge); (2) patterns of diversity (N. I. Platnick); (3) systematics versus ecological diversity: the example of the Malagasy primates (I. Tattersall); (4) spilling over the competitive limits to species coexistence (G. Stevens); (5) explaining patterns of biological diversity: integrating causation at different spatial and temporal scales (J. Cracraft); (6) phylogenetic and ecologic patterns in the Phanerozoic history of marine biodiversity (J. J. Sepkoski, Jr.); (7) the meaning of systematics and the biodiversity crisis (M. J. Novacek); (8) phylogenetic analysis and the role of systematics in the biodiversity crises (M. L. J. Stiassny) (9) systematics, biodiversity, and conservation biology (G. F. Barrowclough); (10) systematics and marine conservation (J. E. Winston); (11) the conservation of animal diversity in Cuba (G. S. Taboada); (12) living collections and biodiversity (N. R. Flesness); and (13) third world museums and biodiversity (P. E. Vanzolini). A subject index is provided.