Model Systems in Behavioral Ecology: Integrating Conceptual, Theoretical, and Empirical Approaches: 23 (Monographs in Behavior and Ecology) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0691006539 ISBN 13: 9780691006536

Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2001

Synopsis

A key way that behavioral ecologists develop general theories of animal behavior is by studying one species or a closely related group of species- "model systems" -over a long period. This book brings together some of the field's most respected researchers to describe why they chose their systems, how they integrate theoretical, conceptual, and empirical work, lessons for the practice of the discipline, and potential avenues of future research. Their model systems encompass a wide range of animals and behavioral issues, from dung flies to sticklebacks, dolphins to African wild dogs, from foraging to aggression, territoriality to reproductive suppression. Model Systems in Behavioral Ecology offers an unprecedented "systems" focus and revealing insights into the confluence of personal curiosity and scientific inquiry. It will be an invaluable text for behavioral ecology courses and a helpful overview-and a preview of coming developments-for advanced researchers. The twenty-five chapters are divided into four sections: insects and arachnids, amphibians and reptiles, birds, and mammals. In addition to the editor, the contributors include Geoff A. Parker, Thomas D. Seeley, Naomi Pierce, Kern Reeve, Gerald S. Wilkinson, Bert Hölldobler and Flavio Roces, George W. Uetz, Michael J. Ryan and Gil Rosenthal, Judy Stamps, H. Carl Gerhardt, Barry Sinervo, Robert Warner, Manfred Milinski, David F. Westneat, Alan C. Kamil and Alan B. Bond, Paul Sherman, Jerram L. Brown, Anders Pape Moller, Marc Bekoff, Richard C. Connor, Joan B. Silk, Christopher Boesch, Scott Creel, A.H. Harcourt, and Tim Caro and M. J. Kelly.

About this title

Review

"Model Systems in Behavioral Ecology is an excellent book suited particularly to students in the early stages of advanced work, but of wide interest to any scientist in the field."--Innes Cuthill, University of Bristol

"This book will be a precious resource to students of behavioral ecology by bringing together a number of examples that illustrate the process of inquiry in the field. Moreover, it provides a valuable overview to those outside of behavioral ecology."--David Pfennig, University of North Carolina

"If the process of scientific inquiry can be described as a 'journey, ' then [this book] is an indispensable travel guide. . . . [It] delivers an excellent overview of the developments that have helped to transform behavioral ecology into what it is today and offers a tantalizing glimpse of what is yet to come. Behavioral ecologists would be hard pressed to find a better travel guide."--Animal Behaviour

About the Author

Lee Alan Dugatkin is Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Louisville. He is the author of The Imitation Factor, Cheating Monkeys and Citizen Bees, and Cooperation Among Animals and the coeditor of Game Theory and Animal Behavior.

Edition details

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0691006539
• ISBN 13: 9780691006536
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 576
• Editor: Dugatkin Lee Alan