Geographic Variation in Behavior: Perspectives on Evolutionary Mechanisms

by Susan A. Foster, John A. Endler

Overview

Studies of animal behavior often assume that all members of a species exhibit the same behavior. Geographic Variation in Behavior shows that, on the contrary, there is substantional variation within species across a wide range of taxa. Including work from pioneers in the field, this volume provides a balanced overview of research on behavioral characteristics that vary geographically. The authors explore the mechanisms by which behavioral differences evolve and examine related methodological issues. Taken together, the work collected here demonstrates that genetically based geographic variation may be far more widespread than previously suspected. The book also shows how variation in behavior can illuminate both behavioral evolution and general evolutionary patterns. Unique among books on behavior in its emphasis on geographic variation, this volume is a valuable new resource for students and researchers in animal behavior and evolutionary biology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195082951
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	03/04/1999
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Clark University

James Cook University, Australia

Table of Contents

Introduction and Aims1. The Use of Behavioral Ecotypes in the Study of Evolutionary Processes, Susan E. Riechert2. Different Spatial Scales of Natural Selection and Gene Flow: The Evolution of Behavioral Geographic Variation and Phenoypic Plastcity, Daniel B. Thompson3. The Evolution of Behavioral Norms of Reaction as a Problem in Ecological Genetics: Theory, Methods, and Data, Scott P. Carroll and Patrice Showers Corneli4. Geographic Variations on Methodological Themes in Comparative Ethology: A Natricine Snake Perspective, Gordon M. Burghardt and James M. Schwartz5. Geographic Variation in Behavior of a Primate Taxon: Stress Responses as a Proximate Mechanism in the Evolution of Social Behavior, Sue Boinski6. Ecology, Phenotype, and Character Evolution in Bluegill Sunfish: A Population Comparative Approach, Timothy J. Ehlinger7. The Causes and Consequences of Geographic Variation in Antipredator Behavior: Perspectives from Fish Populations, Anne E. Margurran8. Geographic Variation and the Microevolution of Avian Migratory Behavior, Peter Berthoid9. Effects of Relaxed Natural Selection on the Evolution of Behavior, Richard G. Coss10. Variation in Advertisement Calls of Anurans across Zonal Interactions: The Evolution and Breakdown of Homogamy, Murray J. Littlejohn11. Geographic Variation in Animal Communication Systems, W. Wilczynski and M.J. Ryan12. Geographic Variation in Sexual Behavior: Sex, Signals, and Speciation, Paul A. Verrell13. Thoughts on Geographic Variation in Behavior, Susan A. Foster and John A. Endler

Editorial Reviews

"Traditional methods for studying animal behaviour usually compare variation between species. The behavioural characterization of species is typically based on single populations because ethologists assumed that behavioural patterns did not vary within species. However, recent studies on a diversity of behavioural traits in many animal groups suggest that geographical variation is common. . . . This book . . . explores some of the richness in phenomena, interpretations and problems that can arise in geographical studies of behaviour. . . . Geographic Variation in Behavior is an important contribution to the critical and growing interface between behaviour and evolution. . . . It is well presented and provides excellent reviews of pertinent literature, the illustrations are informative and concise, and the coverage of contemporary work is uniformly high. Researchers of animal behaviour and behavioural ecologists would do very well to sample this volume."—Animal Behaviour

From the Publisher