This book had its origin when, about five years ago, an ecologist (MacArthur) and a
taxonomist and zoogeographer (Wilson) began a dialogue about common interests in bio
geography. The ideas and the language of the two specialties seemed initially so different
as to cast doubt on the useful ness of the endeavor. But we had faith in the ultimate unity of
population biology, and this book is the result. Now we both call ourselves biogeographers
and are unable to see any real distinction between biogeography and ecology. A great deal …