Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach

John Alcock

ISBN 10: 0878930116 / ISBN 13: 9780878930111

Published by Sunderland, Mass. : Sinauer Publishers, c2001., 2001

About this Item

ISBN 0878930116. Hardback Textbook. Not the current edition. Tight sound copy in very good condition with some underlining in blue ink to the text. Oversized.

Seller Inventory # 99131329

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach
• Publisher: Sunderland, Mass. : Sinauer Publishers, c2001.
• Publication Date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0878930116
• ISBN 13: 9780878930111
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: Later Edition
• Condition: Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Dustjacket
• Signed: No Signature
• Seller catalogs:
  • Nature

About this title

Synopsis

This new edition of Animal Behavior has been completely rewritten, resulting in a more compact yet thoroughly up-to-date text. Notable is the inclusion, for the first time, of four-color photographs and illustrations throughout. Like previous editions, the book shows how evolutionary biologists analyze all aspects of behavior. It is distinguished by its balanced treatment of both the underlying mechanisms and evolutionary causes of behavior, and stresses the utility of evolutionary theory in unifying the different behavioral disciplines. Important concepts are explained by reference to key illustrative studies, which are described in sufficient detail to help students appreciate the role of the scientific process in producing research discoveries. Examples are drawn evenly from studies of invertebrates and vertebrates, and are supported by nearly 1,300 reference citations. The writing style is clear and engaging: beginning students have no difficulty following the material, despite the strong conceptual orientation of the text. Indeed, instructors consistently report a high level of enthusiasm for the book on the part of their students.

The book is organized into two major sections, one dealing with the proximate mechanisms of behavior and the other with the ultimate or evolutionary causes of behavior. The first two chapters introduce the distinction between proximate and ultimate causes in biology that is the foundation for the remaining chapters. Four subsequent chapters then take a more detailed look at different aspects of proximate bases of behavior.

The text then shifts to the other major section that covers the evolution of behavior. Making the point that each behavioral trait has an evolutionary history as well as potential current adaptive significance, the author examines the history and adaptive value of various categories of behavior, including evasion of predators, reproductive tactics and social behavior. A final chapter presents an evolutionary view of human behavior.

About the Author

JOHN ALCOCK is at the Arizona State University.