Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach / Edition 9

by John Alcock

Overview

Following the theory of natural selection and how scientific logic promotes effective thinking, this textbook examines the evolution of feeding behavior, communication, mating systems, parental care, and social behavior in both invertebrates and vertebrates. The eighth edition combines the two chapters on the genetic and environmental influences on development. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780878932252
Publisher:	Sinauer Associates is an imprint of Oxford University Press
Publication date:	03/28/2009
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	546
Product dimensions:	9.22(w) x 10.82(h) x 0.96(d)

About the Author

John Alcock is Regents' Professor Emeritus of Biology at Arizona State University. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University under the direction of Ernst Mayr. His research deals with the behavioral ecology of insect mating systems, with projects that have taken him from Arizona to Costa Rica and Australia. He wrote The Triumph of Sociobiology (2001) and coauthored The Evolution of Insect Mating Systems (1983) with Randy Thornhill. Alcock has also written seven other books on animal behavior and natural history for general audiences. One of these, In a Desert Garden, received the Burroughs' Award for natural history writing in 1998. Dr. Alcock also received the Dean's Quality Teaching Award the first year it was given at Arizona State University.

Table of Contents

1. An Introduction to Animal Behavior

2. Behavioral Ecology and the Evolution of Altruism

3. The Evolution of Social Behavior

4. The Evolution of Communication

5. Avoiding Predators and Finding Food

6. The Evolution of Habitat Selection, Territoriality, and Migration

7. The Evolution of Reproductive Behavior

8. The Evolution of Mating Systems

9. The Evolution of Parental Care

10. Proximate and Ultimate Causes of Behavior

11. The Development of Behavior

12. Evolution, Nervous Systems, and Behavior

13. How Neurons and Hormones Organize Behavior

14. The Evolution of Human Behavior

Editorial Reviews

New edition of a text which has been extensively rewritten to incorporate new evidence and topics, such as the origins of insect flight. Stresses the utility of evolutionary theory in unifying the different behavioral disciplines. Sixteen chapters are organized into two major sections, one dealing with the proximate mechanisms of behavior and the other with the ultimate or evolutionary causes. They emphasize the role of theory and hypothesis-testing in science and the tentative nature of scientific conclusions, and identify controversial and unresolved issues. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

"The tenth edition talks about behavioral ecology early and often. I commend this conceptual shift and the overall bold revision of a classic textbook. It would have been adequate to simply sprinkle in new studies within the existing framework, so the changes seem to reflect a heartfelt desire of Alcock to make an excellent volume even better. This is clearly a labor of love and has a strong personal flavor for a textbook. As in previous editions, the narrative is powered by Alcock's infectious desire to present science, evolution, and behavior clearly and memorably. I recommend this volume to all students of animal behavior. It is a great place to first discover the field, or to rediscover the big picture after years of work within the field." —Peter A. Bednekoff, The Quarterly Review of Biology

"I absolutely love this book. I have become a great fan of John Alcock. His discussions within the chapter are extremely gripping and I love his approach connecting all aspects of the genetics, environment, and evolution to the animal's behavior. Kudos!" —Madeline Mignone, Dominican College

From the Publisher