Ecological Networks in the Tropics ― An Integrative Overview of Species Interactions from Some of the Most Species-rich Habitats on Earth

Based on graph theory studies this book seeks to understand how tropical species interact with each other and how these interactions are affected by perturbations in some of the most species-rich habitats on earth. Due to the great diversity of species and interactions in the tropics, this book addresses a wide range of current and future issues with empirical examples and complete revisions on different types of ecological networks: from mutualisms to antagonisms. The goal of this publication is not to be only for researchers but also for undergraduates in different areas of knowledge, and also to serve as a reference text for graduate-level courses mainly in the life sciences.

Wesley Dattilo received his Ph.D. from the Universidad Veracruzana (Mexico). Currently, he is Titular Researcher at the Department of Eco-Ethology at the Instituto de Ecologia A.C., Mexico. The main focus of his research over the last decade has been to understand how ecological and evolutionary mechanisms shape plant-animal interaction networks at different levels. Moreover, he is seeking to understand how species interactions vary through space-time, and how they are influenced by environmental perturbations in different types of tropical environments in Brazil and Mexico. He has written and co-authored over 50 publications based on his research, many of which he has presented at national and international conferences. His teaching responsibilities have involved mostly graduate courses on ecological networks and field courses in tropical environments.

Victor Rico-Gray received his Ph.D. in 1987 from Tulane University (U.S.A.) Currently he is a full-time researcher at Instituto de Neuroetologia of Universidad Veracruzana. His main research has been the interactions between plants and ants.