Models of Adaptive Behaviour: An Approach Based on State (Cambridge Studies in Mathematical Biology) - Hardcover

Houston, Alasdair I.; McNamara, John M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 052138480X ISBN 13: 9780521384803

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1999

Synopsis

This book sets out a framework for adaptive explanations of behavior, and uses it to provide analyses of a range of biological issues such as energetic gain, energy-predation trade-offs, dynamic games, state-dependent life histories, annual routines, and fluctuating environments. The volume gives a definitive account of this exciting new field, summarizing previous research, presenting new material, and suggesting directions for future research. The framework adopted in this book provides a common currency for comparing diverse actions. Ultimately this could lead to the development of state-dependent dynamic models. This book will be a revelation for graduate students and researchers interested in behavioral or evolutionary biology.

About this title

Book Description

Animals differ from one another in terms of their body size, energy reserves and temperature and the differences in these states affect how different animal behave. In this book, the authors give a definitive account of how adaptive modelling can give insights into how animals cope with for example, trade-offs between energy and predation, fluctuating environments and annual routines. It will inform and stimulate graduate students and researchers in a variety of fields, giving remarkable new insights, a strong founding in the subject and giving new direction for future research.

Review

"This book should be of interest to theoretical ecologists, and students of ecology wishing to develop their modelling skills. It will be a useful focus for an advanced graduate-level class in behavioural or evolutionary ecology." CSZ Bulletin

"The book is a very valuable contribution to the field and I would certainly encourage anyone working in behavior, or evolutionary biology in general, to have a copy at hand." Ecology

"The review of material is wide and thorough, the employment of techniques such as iterative solutions deft, and the evaluation of different arguments and models (both of the authors' and others) incisive." The Canadian Field-Naturalist

"Models of Adaptive Behaviour makes an imporant contribution...The chapters are threaded together in such a way as to form a well defined and clear tapestry for modeling adaptive behaviour. The book is compactly written, contains much useful information, and provides the reader with many excellent references." Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists

"The review of material is wide and thorough, the employment of techniques such as iterative solutions deft, and the evaluation of different arguments and models (both of the authors' and others) are incisive." The Canadian Field-Naturalist

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 052138480X
• ISBN 13: 9780521384803
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 390