Animal Behaviour: An Evolutionary Approach - Softcover

Alcock, John

4.1

383 ratings by Goodreads

9780878930098: Animal Behaviour: An Evolutionary Approach

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0878930094 ISBN 13: 9780878930098

Publisher: Sinauer Associates Inc.,U.S., 1997

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This edition has been completely rewritten and reorganized to include discoveries in the field and over 100 new illustrations. The author analyzes all aspects of the subject, stressing the utility of evolutionary theory in unifying different behavioural disciplines. However, the book treats both the ranging proximate mechanisms and the evolutionary, or ultimate causes of behaviour. The first chapter introduces the distinction between the two, and the rest of the text is organized into two main sections devoted to each. Examples are drawn from studies of invertibrates and vertibrates, and are supported by more than 1300 reference citations, many to recent articles. The book also emphasizes the tentative nature of scientific conclusions and identifies controversial and unresolved issues.

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From the Publisher:

Reviews and Contents
Reviews:

'...top-notch and well developed introduction to the field of animal behaviour. Alcock's is a very engaging book.' - Animal Behaviour

'In summary, this is one of the most comprehensive textbooks on the study of behavior. Its readability is exemplary. Concepts and discoveries are presented from an evolutionary perspective and through the logic of hypothesis-testing. Students learn not only about animal behavior, but they are shown how scientists pursue knowledge.' - Quarterly Review of Biology

Contents:

Evolutionary Approach to Animal Behavior

The Proximate Causes of Behavior: Analyzing Communication

Development of Behavior: Role of Genes

Development of Behavior: Role of the Environment

Control of Behavior: Neural Mechanisms

Control of Behavior: Organizing Mechanisms

Evolution of Communication: Historical Pathways

Evolution of Communication: Adaptation in Signalers and Receivers

Adaptive Responses to Predators

Adaptive Feeding Behavior

Choosing Adaptively Where to Live

Male and Female Reproductive Tactics

Evolution of Mating Systems

Adaptive Tactics of Parents

Evolution of Social Behavior

Evolution of Human Behavior

Book Description:

This classic text offering a balanced treatment of the underlying mechanisms and evolutionary bases of behavior has been thoroughly rewritten and updated with recent work in the field

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