Melanism: Evolution in Action describes a ubiquitous biological phenomenon, the existence of dark forms of many species of mammals, insects, and some plants. Melanism is a particularly important phenomenon for understanding evolution. Unlike many polymorphisms, the rise of a melanic population within a species can be identified easily and often occurs quickly. Examples of melanism include one of the most famous illustrations of natural selection, the peppered moth. This beautifully illustrated book, the first on melanism since 1973, gives a lucid and up-to-date appraisal of the subject. The...

The Coccinellidae are a family of beetles, known variously as ladybirds or ladybugs. In Britain alone, some 46 species belong to the Coccinellidae family, although only 26 of these are recognisably ladybirds. Composed largely of Professor Michael Majerus' lifetime work, and updated by two leading experts in the field, this book reveals intriguing insights into ladybird biology from a global perspective. The popularity of this insect group has been captured through societal and cultural considerations, coupled with detailed descriptions of complex scientific processes, to provide a...