{"title":"Christina L. Kwapich","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the fascinating world of myrmecology through the insightful works of \u003cem\u003eChristina L. Kwapich\u003c\/em\u003e. Known for her authoritative voice in the realm of \u003cstrong\u003eScience \u0026amp; Nature\u003c\/strong\u003e, Kwapich brings a fresh perspective to the intricate lives of ants and the ecosystems they inhabit. Her detailed observations and engaging narratives invite readers to delve into the complex social structures and behaviours of these extraordinary insects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn her acclaimed book, \u003cem\u003eThe Guests of Ants\u003c\/em\u003e, Kwapich explores the symbiotic relationships between ants and the myriad of organisms that rely on them for survival. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of species, presented in a way that is both educational and captivating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're a seasoned entomologist or a curious nature lover, Christina L. Kwapich's works provide an enriching reading experience that opens doors to the hidden wonders of the natural world.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-guests-of-ants-by-bert-holldobler-9780674265516","title":"The Guests of Ants","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA fascinating examination of socially parasitic invaders, from butterflies to bacteria, that survive and thrive by exploiting the communication systems of ant colonies.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDown below, on sidewalks, in fallen leaves, and across the forest floor, a covert invasion is taking place. Ant colonies, revered and studied for their complex collective behaviours, are being infiltrated by tiny organisms called myrmecophiles. Using incredibly sophisticated tactics, various species of butterflies, beetles, crickets, spiders, fungi, and bacteria insert themselves into ant colonies and decode the colonies' communication system. Once able to \"speak the language,\" these outsiders can masquerade as ants. Suddenly colony members can no longer distinguish friend from foe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePulitzer Prize–winning author and biologist Bert Hölldobler and behavioural ecologist Christina L. Kwapich explore this remarkable phenomenon, showing how myrmecophiles manage their feat of code-breaking and go on to exploit colony resources. Some myrmecophiles slip themselves into a colony's food, stealing liquid nutrition normally shared between ant nestmates. Other intruders use specialised organs and glandular secretions to entice ants or calm their aggression. Guiding readers through key experiments and observations, Hölldobler and Kwapich reveal a universe of behavioural mechanisms by which myrmecophiles turn ants into unwilling servants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs \u003ci\u003eThe Guests of Ants\u003c\/i\u003e makes clear, parasitism is both an essential evolutionary strategy and a highly complex one. Like other unwelcome guests, myrmecophiles both disrupt and depend on their host, making for an uneasy coexistence that nonetheless plays an important role in the balance of nature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46855002947820,"sku":"9780674265516","price":145.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/bdeda8a66b4511a6c569af621cf36e1c.jpg?v=1759262734"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/christina-l-kwapich.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}