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BOOKREVIEWS R Yodzis: INTRODUCTION TO THEORETICAL ECOLOGY; Harper & Row Publishers, New York etc., 1989, 384 pp. Price not given, ISBN 0-06-047369-X This textbook is written primarily for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. Accordingly, the reader is expected to have absolved one or two years of ecology and a year of calculus. This means that the reader (student) should be acquainted with differential equation and how to deal with them, with equilibrium, matrices, etc. Nevertheless, the book is not just an advanced course of maths with biological ideas added. Instead, it shows, using the necessary mathematics, how the theory works and what is the role of theory in ecological research. Instead of trying to cover all the ecological theory (which is simply impossible in a textbook), the author selected some topics and treats them thoroughly. The student gets an impression, how the theory works, how the calculus is used, and finally, how to interpret the results of mathematical models and how to compare theoretical predictions with data. The book is written in understandable manner, has a typical textbook form, including exercises at the end of each section. It is clear that the book is based on the author's deep teaching experience. The book has three parts: The growth of single populations; Population interactions; and The evolution of life-history strategies. The third part (life histories) is relatively independent of the others and could be studied separately. In the first part, both continuous and discrete time models are introduced and thoroughly treated (including, e.g., concept of deterministic chaos). In the second part, the theory is developed from interacting pairs of species (both consumption and competition are equally well treated) to multispecies interactions (guilds, food webs). This part is the most extensive, and the student will find there all the popular exercises of community ecology theory, including equilibrium and nonequilibrium coexistence, Yodzis' own theory of competition for space, Tilman's models, chaotic attractors etc. In the life history part the basics of theoretical evolutionary biology are presented. The concepts of optimization and of ESS (Evolutionary Stable Strategies) are introduced, and then the various tradeoffs are considered. I recommend the book as basic material for a one or two semester course of theoretical ecology, but also as suggested reading for population or community ecology courses. In addition, the book may be used by any researcher aiming to cope with the ever growing role of theory in contemporary population and community ecology. Although the book is directed mainly to (field) ecologists, I am sure that mathematically oriented researchers will also find inspiration in it.

Jan LepI= T.H. Fleming & A. Estrada [eds.]: FRUGIVORY AND SEED DISPERSAL: ECOLOGICAL

AND EVOLUTIONARY ASPECTS; Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht etc., 1993, 392 pp. Price USD 265.-, GBP 176.50, DFL 450.-, ISBN 0-7923-2141-3 There are not many topics in ecology which integrate as many different aspects as fmgivory: botany, zoology, landscape structure, evolution. The book reviewed here covers all of them in a remarkable balance. It represents proceedings from the Second International Symposium on Frugivores and Seed Dispersal held in Mexico in 1991 and is reprinted from "Vegetatio", volume 1071108. This volume follows an earlier one edited by the same editors (ESTRADA & FLEMING 1986). Since that time, this particular field of ecology has developed tremendously, as Figure 1 in the Introduction to the present volume illustrates. The figure shows the increasing number of papers on frugivory published annually in "Ecology" (maximum 13, in 1989). The book is subdivided into four parts, each introduced by a short summarizing paragraph: Historical and theoretical aspects of frugivory and seed dispersal; Plant strategies; Fmgivore strategies; and Consequences of seed dispersal. Both case studies and general models (mathematical, conceptual) are presented. In some cases I miss verification of the models by field data (e.g., p. 31-55). Birds, bats, ants and even monkeys are dealt with, but 1 do not understand why a paper on wind only dispersal, p. 121-132, is included. Despite the fact that most results concern tropical ecosystems, especially in Part 3, the results are very interesting for ecologists of temperate zone experience. Many conclusions seem to be generally valid. Part 2 on plant strategies would

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probably be closest to the interests of plant ecologists. Topics like masting, ecological consequences of fruit size, and variation in the distance of dispersed seeds from parent plants are discussed. The book does not offer much opportunity for criticism, except price. It represents the state of the art in the field. Even the typography is of a high quality. I only miss the list of other titles published in this series, announced on the cover page. I recommend the book to all ecologically oriented botanists (even to morphologists or anatomists), zoologists, and ecologists interested in evolutionary ecology. All of them will find much interesting information.

REFERENCES ESTRADA A. & FI.EMING T.H. [eds.] (1986): Frugivores and seed dispersal. - Junk, Dordrecht.

Karel Prach

J.A. Young & C.O. Young: COLLECTING, PROCESSING AND GERMINATING SEEDS OF WILDLAND PLANTS; Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 1990, (second edition), 236 pp., 12 Figs. Price USD 24.95, ISBN 0-88192-057-6 The book reviewed here was published for the first time in 1986, and now the second edition is on hand. The authors aim to give broader circles of readers a practical, comprehensible handbook, with complete general and special information and data on the collection, preservation and primarily the germination of the seeds of North American wildland plants. The contents, form and arrangement of individual chapters of the book correspond to this aim. The first eight chapters represent the general part, which in a brief, accessible form familiarizes the reader with the basic characteristics of seeds, with manual and mechanical collecting methods, with post-harvest handling, and the manual and mechanical cleaning, storage and germination of seeds. The special, more extensive part of the publication (about two thirds of all text) includes four chapters dealing in detail with seed germination in the following groups of plants: trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses. The results of the observations made by the authors themselves as well as those taken over from other sources, deal with suitable methods and conditions of collecting, cleaning, germination and sowing of seeds in alphabetical order, according to genera (trees and shrubs) and families (herbs); the grasses are ordered according to tribes. The choice of taxa used in individual chapters is very broad. First of all, species native to North America are dealt with followed by some introduced species (e.g. Cedrus, Ailanthttv altissima, Eucalyptus, Eichhornia, Eleagnus angustifolia) and some species introduced unintentionally (Aegilops, Oxalis corniculata, Sisymbrium altissimum). A systematical survey of genera and species is given in an appendix. As in all publications designed for practical purposes, attention is paid mainly to how to interrupt germination rest both in fresh diaspores and in those stored for a longer time. In this respect more detailed information on the conditions of germination should be given in some cases (e.g. Astragalus, Convolvulus, Erodium). Further, the fact that in some cases the information presented is related to the whole genus without giving the species, may cause confusion as to whether their validity is general or not (e.g. Clematis). After each chapter either a list of suggested additional reading or list of the literature cited is added. One may ask why the authors do not give references to the publications cited throughout the whole text in the same way as they do in the last two chapters. The reader would then be better able to distinguish between the original and published data. In both cases the lists include rather many older titles, which are no doubt valuable for general knowledge; however, it would contribute to the quality of the book if the authors took account of some more recent titles in the second edition. Although in their introduction the authors describe the book as a manual for gardeners, gardening hobbyists or amateur naturalists, it goes beyond these limits by its contents and can be recommended as a useful manual for university students as well as for scientists dealing with the ecology of seeds. Taking into consideration that the second edition of this book has already appeared in the USA, we believe that it will meet with a wide reception in our country, too.

Lenka Moravcov4

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A.-H. MOiler: RELATIVITY IN PHYLOGENETIC AND SYSTEMATIC SCIENCE. Lehrbuch der Paliozoologie, Band II. Invertebraten, Tell I, Protozoa - Mollusca 1, 4; G~tov Fischer Verlag, Jena etc., 1993, 685 pp., 746 Figs. ISBN 3-334-60409-8 "There are nine and sixty ways of constructing tribal lays, and every single one of them is right." (Rudyard Kipling) It is impossible to review Mtiller's 4th edition of the Lehrbuch tier Pal/iozoologie, Invertebraten II, I, without having its author constantly in mind with his intense love of the science of fossil animals. Something of the enthusiasm of this well-known palaeontologist is conveyed in his textbooks to a much wider public than could be reached by his numerous scientific papers. Many young people, reading this most admirable and coherent series, may find here their first stimulation for the study of palaeontology. They may be merely taken into the petrified animal world by a really knowledgeable expert with lifelong experience (some of the factual information presented is based on the author's own observations). Of course, the volume reviewed is not quite a new book: it is an expanded and re-written version of Mtiller's earlier work. It is, however, considerably expanded: instead of the 566 pages and 652 figures of the ftrst edition (Jerk't, VEB G. Fischer 1958) there are now 685 pages and 746 figures. Moreover, thanks to the really excellent typographic arrangement of the book, each page, although retaining the same format, gives almost twice the information in the first edition. This volume deal~ ~ystematica/ly with the phyla: Protozoa, Arch~eocyatha, Porifera, Ccelenterata, Bryozoa, Brachiopoda, group of phyla "'Vermes", and with fwst three classes of Mollusca (i.e. Amphineum, Scaphopoda and Lamellibranchiata). Of course, the goal of this volume is different from that of the famous Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology": it is a "'Lehrbuch", i.e. textbook, and in that it is highly successful. In Folia Geobotanica & Phytotaxonomica 28(for 1993), n. 4 my friend and "philosophical competitor", dr. L Kriaovsk~ (1 am indebted to him for allowing me to read his manuscript and to write the present article) has given a review of Mtiller's "Lehrbuch der Pal~iozoologie, Band I. AUgemeine Gmndlagen" (5. Auflage, G. Fischer Vedag 1992). His rather critical comments are, however, relative. Our knowledge of phylogeny and, therefore, of palaeontological systematics is still in a highly speculative state. There are numerous evolutionary schools in the world which have ideas of their own and they all develop them with logical reasoning, skill and enthusiasms. Moreover, there are even several "school realms" (e.g. German, American) which actually exist, although, of course, not officially. It is obvious that most of the conflicts between the different schools lie more in their fundamental philosophy or "partial belief" than in the nature of the data obtained during research (although, by the way, data may also he strongly affected by that "partical belief"). It is highly relative to say that evolutionary science has a common concept or that it even forms one definite stream! Each school has its own objectives and that is to prove its theory is the best. Therefore, for those of a different school it seems, for instance, that the information on Schindewolf's typostrophic theory in the "Algemeine Grundlagen" does not represent modem concepts. But therein lies the problem: it is a matter of the "partial belief' (i.e. of the question: Which school will share his opinion?). Evaluation of the different evolutionary schools of thought (from which different phylogenies, systematics and even different methods result) can be difficult, in that there are (at least in many cases) no self--evident "truths" against which to compare their conclusions. In some respect, the results of the different schools can be compared only against each other. For illustration at least one sentence representing seemingly a self-evident truth: '"]'he degree of specialization is not a function of time. Even the most viable extant taxonomic groups have their roots in Precambrian". Yes, for the great majority of schools this is really a self-evident truth, but there exists something like "stability of established chronost:~ies with relatively constant average species longevities in different taxonormc groups", an interesting phenomenon studied e.g. by one of the leading "American school scientist", Steven Stanley. Moreover, the argument of "the most viable extant taxonomic groups" having "their roots in Precambrian" is logically weak: no existing species has its members in Precarnbrian and no taxonomic group represents a real entity except species. Therefore, at present we cannot exclude the concept of typolysis from the many existing possibilities of plausible explanations. Of course, Schindewolf's evolutionary school forms neither the "main stream" nor a "'blind alley". Until comparatively recently there was generally (and especially in the "American realm of thinking"!) a tendency to view evolution as gradual, i.e. in consequence strongly "non-Schindewolfian". Really, only twenty five years ago the majority of palaeontologists believed that all evolution of life was characterized by cumulative slow changes produced by natural selection operating at

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relatively constant rates. As stated by Stephen Jay Gould, the "first man" in the U.S., it was a definite empirical claim about the world. And now we all know it was a not self-evident truth but even a false claim and that, at least from this simple empirical viewpomt, Schindewolf was right - moreover, he was right many years before the beginning of the "punctuational revolution" in America (ELDREDGE& GOULD 1972). In other words, including W. Buckland's, G. Cuvier's and T.H. Huxley's, there were nine and sixty ways of constructing the tempo of evolution and every single one of them came to "saltation".

Vliclav Petr B. Sneh, L. Burpee & A. Ogoshh IDENTIRCATION OF RHIZOCTONIA SPECIES; APS Press, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, 1991, 133 pp., 12 Figs. Price USD 27.-, USD 34.- (elsewhere), ISBN 0-89054-123-X A significant part of the material for this book was collected at Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan in 1988 and the work continued in 1989. The monograph represents an introduction to the taxonomy, identification, anastomosis groups and techniques for studying the Rhizoctonia genus. The monograph is divided into nine thematic parts. The short introduction evaluates the classification of Rhizoctonia spp. The second part of the monograph deals with methods for the isolation of Rhizoctonia spp. from soil or plants and methods for quantitative estimate of inoculum density. Recommended selective media for isolation of this fungus can also be found. This part of book also deals with methods necessary for qualitative determination of Rhizoctonia spp., e.g. a method for determination of the number of nuclei in hyphae cells, a method for induction of teleomorphs, biochemical methods - all important processes in the identification of Rhizoctonia spp. Methods for storage and preservation of cultures and for the production of inoculum are given, too. The third part is dedicated to the morphology and cytology of Rhizoctonia spp. The fourth chapter gives a cytomorphological key of 12 Rhizoctonia spp. The morphological characteristics of species within binucleate and multinucleate groups ofRhizoctonia spp. are summarized in this key. The fifth chapter contains a cytomorphological key to teleomorphs of Rhizoctonia spp. (28 species). It also includes figures and definitions of the terms used. Two following parts (chapters VI and VII) present a survey of anastomosis groups of binucleate and multinucleate Rhizoctonia spp. The 9th chapter summarizes characteristics common to a significant number of isolates in anastomosis groups of the fungus. The last chapter discusses the less known phenomenon - the association of Rhizoctonia spp. with orchids. Rhizoctonia spp. are the most important group of fungi. They are known especially as soil-borne plant pathogens; various species of this genus cause diseases in many important crops. Among the numerous isolates and species are saprothrops and mycorrhizal fungi. The monograph by B. Sneh and his colleagues will be very helpful for all investigators interested in studying the Rhizoctonia genus.

Evtenle Prokinov~ A.F. Tryon & B. Lugardon: SPORES OF THE PTERIDOPHYTA; Springer Verlag, New York etc., 1991, 648 pp., 2797 Figs. Price DEM 188.-, ISBN 3-540-97218-8 Pteridophyte spores as single air-bome cells and genetic material for the sexual reproduction of plants and the persistence of species are the subject of this book. The most important part is the collection of nearly three thousand microphotos of Pteridophyta spores from all over the world. The families Ophioglossaceae,

Marattiaceae, Osmundaceae, Gleicheniaceae, Matoniaceae, Cheiropleuriaceae, Dipteridaceae, Hymenophyllaceae, Schizaeaceae, Pteridaceae, Vittariaceae, Loxomamceae, Plagiogyriaceae, Diksoniaceae, Hymenophyllopsidaceae, Metaxyaceae, Lophosoriaceae, Cyatheaceae, Dennstaedtiaceae, Polypodiaceae, Grammitidaceae, Davaliaceae, Thelypteridaceae, Dryopteridaceae, Oleandraceae, Lomariopsidaceae, Blechnaceae, Aspleniaceae, Psilotaceae, Marsileaceae, Salviniaceae, Equisetaceae, Lycopodiaceae, Selaginellaceae and lsoetaceae are included. The volume consists of 35 chapters corresponding to the Pteridophyta families. The chapters are divided into subchapters dealing with individual genera. Each chapter and subchapter presents brief notes on the

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taxonomy and geographical distribution of the taxa included. The morphology of each species, describing surface and wall structure in detail, is based on electronic microscope studies. The palynoiogical records of these spores supply stratigraphic data and evidence of early diversification of vascular plants, as well as testifying to climatic and vegetational changes. Studies of sporogenesis and ultrastructure using electronic microscopes will greatly contribute to our knowledge of the development, structure and variation of the spore walls of Pteridophyta. The spore material was mainly studied from the collection in the Harvard University Herbarium. The book is recommended not only to pollen morphologists, but to all quartemary botanists as a key book of Pteridophyta.

Helena Svobodovd

P.S. Herendeen & D.I_ Dilcher [eds.]: ADVANCES IN LEGUME SYSTEMATICS, PART 4. THE FOSSIL RECORD; The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 1992; Whitstable Litho Ltd., Kent, 330 pp., rich illustration. ISBN 0-947643-40-0 This volume of 330 pages contains 16 papers, dealing with fossil legumes from various geographical regions. The papers ate arranged in three sections. (1) Studies of Specific Fossil Taxa; (2) Regional Summaries of Fossil Legume; (3) Evolutionary Patterns and Mechanisms. In the first section detailed studies of several specific taxa of legume are presented. Herendeen reinvestigates the relationships of the well known taxon Podogoniura in the Neogene of Europe. He also helps to clarify the complicated nomenclature of this genus. BfiSek's paper brings detailed reinvestigation of Pterocarpus terliarium Weyland, a purported legume fruit from the Neogene of North Bohemia. Let me recall that this excellent study was the last one written by dr. (~esanfi- Bt)~k before this sudden death. Dilcher, Herendeen and Hueher described fossil Acacia flowers with attached anther glands from Tertiary amber in the Dominican Republic. Crepet and Herendeen studied papilionoid flowers from the early Eocene of southeastern North America. The newly described fossil flowers Barnebyathus buchananensis represent the earliest enquivocal evidence of papilinoid legumes and of the tribe Sophoreae in the fossil record. Herendeen and Crane present fossil fruits representing two cesalpinoid taxa from the Paleogene of Southern England. The authors conclude that the Paleocene - early Eocene was a period of major diversification in the early evolution of the Caesalpinioideae. Gross presents a synopsis of the fossil records of mimosoid legume wood, and publishes new combinations in Paraalbizioxylon for several species. The second section of the volume presents lists of fossil legumes from individual geographical regions. Herendeen presents the fossil history of the Leguminosae from the Eocene of southeastern North America. Graham updates the legume fossil record in the Caribean region. Hably studies the distribution of legumes in the Tertiary of Hungary. Shakryl summarizes knowledge of Tertiary legume from the territory of Abchazia. Guo and Zhou deal with the megafossil Tertiary legumes of China and describe several new species. Awasthi presents a critical review of fossil legumes comprising woods, leaves, fruits and seeds, known so far from India, as well as a few ones from Nepal. Occurrence of the African genera in the Neogene of India provides evidence of a phytogeographical relationships between India. Africa and Southern Asia. Pole describes legume pods with seeds and leaves from the early Miocene of New Zealand, considered to belong to the Mimosoideae with Serianthes and possibly Albizia as the most likely candidates. In the editor's opinion some of the taxa discussed need reinvestigation and references to extant genera must be viewed with caution, because Angiosperm palaeobotany has recently entered a period of critical reevaluation. In the last paper the authors Herendeen, Crepet and Dilcher briefly summarize the literature, dealing with systematic and biogeographical aspects of the fossil record of the Leguminosae, and address the phylogenetic and biogeographical implications of the fossil record. The contributions in this volume cover various topics and provide a lot of new data on fossil Leguminosae. The aim of the authors was to encourage palaeobotanists to initiate studies of fossil legume material and address other aspects of legume palaeobiology, and to pay attention to neobotanists and particularly legume systematics.

Blanka Pacltovd