The lives of ants

Ants are the most diverse and most numerous of all animals on Earth. This book by Keller (evolutionary ecology, Univ. of Lausanne, Switzerland; Levels of Selection in Evolution, CH, Jun'00, 37-5651) and Gordon (science journalist) provides an introduction to the biology of ants by highlighting their ubiquitous distribution, their critical role in ecological processes, and the complexity of their social and behavioral interactions. The authors also discuss ants' impact as insect pests, how their genetic relationships can explain their social relations, and why computer scientists are interested in their social systems to solve telecommunication and other technical issues. The prose seems awkward and disjointed in places, possibly due to the French-to-English translation. A few small color plates of high quality illustrate this volume, but some of the black-and-white line drawings lack sharpness and are poorly reproduced. This work provides a fairly good overview of the subject. However, B. Holldobler and E. O. Wilson's The Superorganism (CH, Aug'09, 46-6805) is a far better resource; it covers much of the same content in a more engaging manner, and includes spectacular illustrations and color pictures. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through professionals; general readers. R. E. Lee Jr. Miami University

Science writer Gordon and ecology-evolution professor Keller (University of Lausanne) present a general-audience overview, short on jargon and long on storytelling, of Earth's most populous and successful genera. Keller and Gordon present ant life in 32 chapters, covering the vast expanse and variation of ant behavior, social structure, reproduction, genetics and ecology while highlighting their importance to ecosystems world-wide. Species of ants that nest underground are crucial for the aeration and nutrient content of soil; in the tropics, leafcutter ants feed leaves to underground fungi "farms," transferring nutrients from the rainforest canopy to depths of 15 feet below earth's surface. Even all-consuming hordes of army ants, marching across the plains of Africa, benefit the planet by creating a mobile ecosystem (flies and butterflies depend on their dung, birds and reptiles feast on both ants and their prey). Human intervention, meanwhile, has introduced species to new habitats, often with destructive results (fire ants in the southern United States, Argentine ants in Europe). Illuminating, entertaining and thought-provoking, without a hint of superiority, this witty species profile will appeal to general readers interested in alien animal kingdom behavior, and/or the effects of invasive species on economics and public health. (Apr.) Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.