Animal Behaviour: Evolution and Mechanisms - Hardcover

Anthes, Nils; Bergmüller, Ralph; Blanckenhorn, Wolf; Brockmann, H. Jane; Fichtel, Claudia; Fromhage, Lutz; Frommen, Joachim; Goymann, Wolfgang; Heinze, Juergen; Hirschenhauser, Katharina; Hofer, Heribert; Kaiser, Sylvia; Kappeler, Peter M.; Kempenaers, Bart; Kerth, Gerald; Korb, Judith Ingrid; Kotrschal, Kurt M.; Kraus, Cornelila; Manser, Martha; Michiels, Nico; Moritz, Robin F. A.; Pahl, Mario; Penn, Dustin; Sachser, Norbert; Schaefer, Martin; Van Schaik, Carel P.; Schneider, Jutta M.; Schreiber, Isabella; Taborsky, Michael; Tautz, Jürgen; Trillmich, Fritz; Zhang, Shaowu

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 3642026230 ISBN 13: 9783642026232

Publisher: Springer, 2010

Synopsis

The study of animal behaviour has become one of the fastest growing b- logical disciplines in recent decades. This development can be easily - ferred, for example, from the steady increase in the total number of pub- cations on any aspect of animal behaviour, in particular also in journals with a more general readership (e. g. Nature, Proceedings of the Royal - ciety or Current Biology), the ever-increasing number of participants at - ternational conferences (e. g. IEC or ISBE), and from the growing numbers of students choosing courses in this field. This development has several causes, of which I find three particularly compelling. First, it is incre- ingly being appreciated that behaviour is the crucial level at which an in- vidual's genotype and phenotype interface with the environment. Rec- nising behaviour as the main mechanism animals employ to ascertain their homeostasis, growth, survival and reproduction therefore provides a deep understanding of organismal integration and adaptation. Second, the ast- ishing success of the study of animal behaviour also has importantly to do with the intellectual flexibility and methodological inter-disciplinarity - quired for comprehensive analyses of behaviour. Today, students of beh- iour are jacks-of-all-trades; importing, applying and improving methods from many neighbouring disciplines, such as molecular genetics, physi- ogy or micro-electronics, as well as concepts and theories from less ob- ous sources, such as economics or sociology, for example.

About this title

From the Back Cover

The study of animal behaviour is one of the fastest growing sub-disciplines in biology. The resulting diversity of conceptual approaches and methodological innovations makes it increasingly difficult for professionals and students to keep abreast of important new developments. This edited volume provides up-to-date reviews that facilitate orientation in key areas of animal behaviour, including communication, cognition, conflict, cooperation, sexual selection and behavioural variation. The contributions address evolutionary and proximate aspects of behaviour and also cover both invertebrates and vertebrates. Important concepts are dealt with in separate glossaries and key examples highlighted in separate text boxes. Richly illustrated with colour figures, this volume offers a well structured overview of all the main developments in current animal behaviour research. It is ideal for teaching upper-level courses, where it will be essential reading for advanced students familiar with basic concepts and ideas.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3642026230
• ISBN 13: 9783642026232
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 728
• Editor: Kappeler Peter M.