Algal Chemical Ecology

This is the first ever book devoted entirely to the chemical ecology of algae. Algae from both marine and freshwater habitats are covered, as are macroalgae (seaweeds) and microalgae (including phytoplankton). While its main emphasis is on the ecological rather than chemical aspects of the field, the book also includes a unique introductory chapter intended as a primer on algal natural products chemistry for ecologists. It elucidates the roles of chemical defenses in various regions and habitats, of DMSP, oxidative burst responses, and herbivore offense. Topics such as algal sensory chemical ecology and defenses against ultraviolet radiation are also treated, and an introduction to the chemical ecology of phytoplankton is provided.

Focusing on recent advances and also on topics particularly useful for undergraduate and graduate level courses, Algal Chemical Ecology is designed for research biologists working in the field as well as marine ecologists and algal biologists seeking an introductory guide.

Résumé
Studies of biotic interactions of algae that involve chemical defenses or signals are currently vibrant, active components of both marine ecological and phycological research. This field is rapidly growing, not only by delving deeper into relatively well-known aspects such as secondary metabolite defenses of tropical and temperate macroalgae to herbivores but also by broadening such work into new habitats and by expanding the field to include many other aspects of the chemical interactions of algae with other organisms or with their environments. This book has attempted to span the breadth of algal chemical ecology from the perspective of basic ecology. To keep it of manageable length, its scope is restricted primarily to ecological aspects of the field and in doing so, it is unfortunate that a great deal of excellent work in applied areas of algal chemical ecology could not be included. Likewise, algal natural products chemistry is not emphasized in most chapters but the book begins with an introduction to the chemistry of algal defenses that is intended as a primer on natural products chemistry for algal ecologists. In addition, although intended to be broad, it could not be so comprehensively and consequently each author was asked to highlight new areas of research and simply refer a reader to previously published reviews where appropriate.

Contenu
The Chemistry of Algal Secondary Metabolism.- Macroalgal Chemical Defenses and Their Roles in Structuring Tropical Marine Communities.- Macroalgal Chemical Defenses and Their Roles in Structuring Temperate Marine Communities.- Macroalgal Chemical Defenses in Polar Marine Communities.- Macroalgal and Cyanobacterial Chemical Defenses in Freshwater Communities.- New Perspectives for Addressing Patterns of Secondary Metabolites in Marine Macroalgae.- Macroalgal Models in Testing and Extending Defense Theories.- Ecological and Physiological Roles of Dimethylsulfoniopropionate and its Products in Marine Macroalgae.- Influence of Algal Secondary Metabolites on Plankton Community Structure.- Herbivore Offense in the Sea: The Detoxifi cation and Transport of Secondary Metabolites.- Secondary Metabolite Defenses Against Pathogens and Biofoulers.- Oxidative Burst and Related Responses in Biotic Interactions of Algae.- Defense Strategies of Algae and Cyanobacteria Against Solar Ultraviolet Radiation.- Algal Sensory Chemical Ecology.