Summary: | It is becoming increasingly apparent that the interaction between plants and animals is one of the principal factors governing the composition, structure and abundance of marine benthic communities. The study of this subject in turn has contributed greatly to our understanding of coastal ecosystems and to general ecological concepts. In this volume, well-known authorities present a much-needed up-to-date review of the subject. Both regional and global perspectives are offered, with an emphasis on the relationship between herbivores and their food plants. Special consideration is given to the topics of bioerosion caused by interactions and to endosymbiosis involving algae and cnidarians. The research presented here represents the most authoritative coverage available. It will be consulted as a standard reference by marine ecologists, and used as a text by advanced students and teachers in the fields of oceanography, aquatic biology, co-evolution, malacology, and animal behavior. oceanologists
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