Influential Passengers

Interest in the way in which symbiotic bacteria can manipulate reproduction in their invertebrate hosts has risen rapidly in recent years. Discoveries have ranged from bacteria that can determine the likelyhood of their fruitfly hosts finding a partner to mate with to bacteria infecting woodlice that can cause sex changes in woodlice offspring. This unique book is the first comprehensive and systematic review of the ''reproductive parasites''. Written by leading experts in the field it explores not only the intriguing theoretical questions raised by the relationships between symbiotic bacteria and their hosts but also discusses a number of exciting practical applications such as potential for controlling the reproduction of disease transmitting insects. Chapters on sex reversal sex-ratio distortion and evolution are also included. This timely and up-to-date volume will be important reading for researchers and students in the fields of entomology evolution ecology genetics and microbiology.