chemical signaling strongprocessesstrong in the marine environment.pdfVIP

Reference: Biol. Bull. 198: 168–187. (April 2000) Chemical Signaling Processes in the Marine Environment RICHARD K. ZIMMER1 AND CHERYL ANN BUTMAN2 1 2 Department of Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1606; and Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering Department, Mail Stop 12, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543 Abstract. Understanding the mechanisms by which envi- Introduction ronmental chemical signals, chemical defenses, and other “Better Things for Better Living Through Chemistry”— chemical agents mediate various life-history processes can Former DuPont corporate slogan lead to important insights about the forces driving the ecol- ogy and evolution of marine systems. For chemical signals The foundation of biological sciences is evolution, which released into the environment, establishing the principles stresses phylogenetic relationships. Therefore, questions re- that mediate chemical production and transport is critical for lating to speciation, biogeography, and biodiversity are par- interpreting biological responses to these stimuli within ticularly compelling. Improved understanding of how appropriate natural, historical contexts. Recent technologi- chemical signals and other chemical age