This collection of reviews by leading investigators examines plant reproduction and sexuality within a framework of evolutionary ecology, providing an up-to-date account of the field. The contributors discuss conceptual issues, showing the importance of sex allocation, sexual selection and inclusive fitness, and the dimensions of paternity and maternity in plants. The evolution, maintenance, and loss of self-incompatibility in plants, the nature of 'sex choice' in plants, and sex dimorphism are all explored in detail. Specific forms of biotic interactions shaping the evolution of plant reproductive strategy are discussed, and a taxonomically based review of the reproductive ecology of non-angiosperm plant groups, such as bryophytes, ferns, and algae, is presented. Together these studies focus on the complexities of plant life cycles and the distinctive reproductive biologies of these organisms, while showing the similarities between nonflowering plants and the more thoroughly documented flowering species.

Jon and Lesley Lovett-Doust's profile page

Jon and Lesley Lovett-Doust is at the University of Windsor.

"This book provides a valuable reference for graduate students and researchers interested in evolutionary ecology and plant reproductive biology. Chapters by the Lovett Dousts, Bertin, Zimmerman, and Lee are especially notable in their critical and analytical perspectives on theory and current data."--REVIEWS

"Many individual chapters are superb and there is evidence of diligent editorial work (I strained to find a typographical error). For the specialist or one willing to brave a complex field relatively unaided, this is a most useful book."-- The Quarterly Review of Books

"Plant reproductive biology is currently undergoing rapid intellectual and empirical growth, brought about in large part by an infusion of new conceptual perspectives from which to describe and evaluate plant breeding systems. In this volume editors Jon and Lesley Lovett Doust have brought together 15 review papers by 18 different authors which provide a thorough and up to date summary of critical evolutionary questions focused on plant reproductive ecology. . . . This book provides a valuable reference for graduate students and researchers interested in evolutionary ecology and plant reproductive biology." --Ecology

"Some papers achieve their goal of reviewing and synthesizing, while others provide worthy comprehensive reviews. . . .A good reference volume for researchers." --Plant Genetics Newsletter

"This volume should be on the shelf of every person interested in the ecology and evolution of plant reproduction; it is an important volume that documents the rapid progress made in this area over the past 10-15 years." --The Bryologist