Behavioral Neurobiology: An Integrative Approach

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199208301 ISBN 13: 9780199208302

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2010

Animals often exhibit intriguing and captivating patterns of behavior, from migration and homing to communication. But how is this behavior controlled? Behavioral Neurobiology: An Integrative Approach, Second Edition, introduces undergraduate students to the fascinating field of neuroethology, the study of the neurobiological processes underlying animal behavior. Written in a lively, accessible style, it examines the key ideas that underpin this intricate subject and describes many of the groundbreaking discoveries in the field.

Beginning with a look at the history of the study of behavior--from Aristotle to recent breakthroughs and predictions for the future--the text then reviews the ethological and neurobiological concepts that constitute the basic tools of behavioral neurobiology before moving on to the field of neuroethology itself. Each chapter not only describes the major findings in a specific area, but also examines the experimental methods used to obtain these results and the researchers behind them.

Taking a comparative zoological approach, Behavioral Neurobiology, Second Edition, enables students to gain a thorough understanding of the essentials of the field without becoming overwhelmed by excessive details. The text is enhanced by detailed case studies, a wide range of examples, summaries of key points, biographical sketches of eminent researchers, exercises, and suggestions for further reading. A Companion Website offers additional resources for students and instructors.

About the Author:

Over the last 25 years, Gunther Zupanc has acquired intensive research and teaching experience in the following four academic systems: the American system through his graduate study and postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Diego (1987-1992), and numerous research visits; the Canadian system through many research visits and a Visiting Professorship at the University of Ottawa (1994-1997); the German system though his studies in biology and physics at the University of Regensburg (1979-1987), as well as his work as a Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Tubingen (1992-1997); and the British system, as a Senior Lecturer in Zoology at the University of Manchester from 1997 to 2002. Gunther K.H. Zupanc is Professor and Chair, Department of Biology of Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts

Review:

"In this text, Zupanc has followed the lead . . . in creating a platform from which students can be introduced to the fascinating field of neuroethology. The text is well organized and well written; the enthusiasm Zupanc has for the subject is readily apparent and helps to keep the reader's attention. This book successfully fills the demand for a current neuroethology text . . . in combination with the material on the supplemental web site, it will prove invaluable to instructors teaching this emerging field."--Shaun D. Cain, in The Journal of Experimental Biology

"If you are looking for a different way to introduce neuroscience, this book about the mechanisms of animal behavior across many taxa will be a useful addition to your bookshelf. It can be used alone or as a supplement."--Janine M. Wotton, in The Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education