Review by Choice Review
Symbioses between bacteria and arthropods are widespread in nature, and many bacteria form obligate associations with their hosts. In the past, nutritional mutualism received much attention, but this slim volume focuses on bacteria that are intracellular reproductive symbionts of arthropods. Six chapters explore themes that include the evolution of heritable symbionts, cytoplasmic incompatibility in insects, the role of microbes in host sex determination, sex-ratio distortions, and the potential use of reproductive symbionts to pest control. Wolbachia-insect symbiosis forms the principal focus of this book, and O'Neill, Hoffmann, and Werren have done an excellent job both as authors and editors in gathering widely scattered information into a single volume. Ecological and genetic models of interpopulation dynamics, molecular approaches based on nucleic acid sequence analysis, and theoretical considerations receive special attention from all the contributors. Extensive current references and index are helpful. Highly recommended for upper-division undergraduate and graduate students. S. M. Paracer Worcester State College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
