Description

Synthesis of remarkable long-term and well-known study of the population dynamics of soay sheep on St Kilda. Soay Sheep synthesises one of the most detailed studies of demography and dynamics in a naturally regulated population of mammals. Drawing on studies over nearly twenty years, it provides unique insights into the regulation of herbivore populations and the effects of environmental change on selection and adaptation. Essential reading for vertebrate ecologists, demographers, evolutionary biologists and behavioural ecologists. Soay Sheep synthesises one of the most detailed studies of demography and dynamics in a naturally regulated population of mammals. Drawing on studies over nearly twenty years, it provides unique insights into the regulation of herbivore populations and the effects of environmental change on selection and adaptation. Essential reading for vertebrate ecologists, demographers, evolutionary biologists and behavioural ecologists. Soay Sheep synthesises one of the most detailed studies of demography and dynamics in a naturally regulated population of mammals. Unlike most other large mammals, the Soay sheep population of Hirta in the St Kilda archipelago show persistent oscillations, sometimes increasing or declining by more than 60% in a year. Soay Sheep explores the causes of these oscillations and their consequences for selection on genetic and phenotypic variation within the population, drawing on studies over nearly twenty years of the life-histories and reproductive careers of many individuals. Covering population dynamics, demography and their effects on selection, energetic and resource limitations on the interaction between sheep and parasites, and the adaptive significance of their reproductive characteristics, it provides unique insights into the regulation of other herbivore populations and the effects of environmental change on selection and adaptation. It will be essential reading for vertebrate ecologists, demographers, evolutionary biologists and behavioural ecologists. 1. Individuals and populations T. H. Clutton-Brock and J. M. Pemberton; 2. The sheep of St Kilda T. H. Clutton-Brock, J. M. Pemberton, T. N. Coulson, I.R. Stevenson and A. D. C. MacColl; 3. Population dynamics in Soay sheep T. H. Clutton-Brock, T. N. Coulson, A. D. C. MacColl, A. Illius; M. Forchhammer. K. Wilson, J. Lindström, M. J. Crawley and S. D. Albon; 4. Vegetation and sheep population dynamics M. J. Crawley, S. D. Albon, D. R. Bazely, J. Milner, J. G. Pilkington and A. L. Tuke; 5. Parasites and their impact K. Wilson, B. T. Grenfell, J. G. Pilkington, H. E. G. Boyd and F. M. D. Gulland; 6. Mating patterns and male breeding success J. M. Pemberton, D. W. Coltman, J. A. Smith and D. A. Bancroft; 7. Selection on phenotype J. M. Milner, S. D. Albon, L. E. B. Kruuk and J. M. Pemberton; 8. Molecular genetic variation and selection on genotype J. M. Pemberton, D. W. Coltman, D. R. Bancroft, J. A. Smith and S. Paterson; 9. Adaptive reproductive strategies I. R. Stevenson, P. Marrow, B. T. Preston, J. M. Pemberton and K. Wilson; 10. The causes and consequences of instability T. H. Clutton-Brock; Appendix 1. The flora of St Kilda M. J. Crawley ; Appendix 2. Inheritance of coat colour and horn type in Hirta Soay sheep D. W. Coltman and J. M. Pemberton; References. ' A major, very important book in population biology, with first class contributors … a most valuable contribution to the ecology literature. I recommend it most highly.' Char