The Evolution of Insect Mating Systems

Randy Thornhill, John Alcock

ISBN 10: 0674271807 / ISBN 13: 9780674271807

Published by Harvard University Press, MA, 1983

About this Item

Book is in pristine condition. "This book will become a standard reference work on the subject for many years to come. It is suitable for both graduate students This unique source of information should not be missing from the bookshelf of any student of insect behavioural ecology and due to its interdisciplinary and concept-driven approach it will also be of relevance and use to a broad audience of evolutionary biologists. I also believe that broadly interested zoologists and ecologists as well as laymen naturalists will undoubtedly find it both instructive and entertaining." [J. Zdarek] "This work was one of the key texts that helped define modern behavioural ecology. It has had a huge impact in shaping adaptationist approaches to the study of animal behaviour, ending up far more than the sum of its parts, and influencing the study of the evolution of reproductive behaviour far beyond the taxonomic remit of insects." [David Shuker] ; Small 4to 9" - 11" tall; 547 pages.

Seller Inventory # 9823

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Evolution of Insect Mating Systems
• Publisher: Harvard University Press, MA
• Publication Date: 1983
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0674271807
• ISBN 13: 9780674271807
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good-

About this title

Synopsis

Here is the first comprehensive analysis of insect reproductive behavior to employ a modern evolutionary perspective. As such it represents a marriage of two disciplines-entomology and modern evolutionary theory-which have recently made great strides, but in partial isolation from each other. By reviewing all of insect reproductive behavior from an evolutionary viewpoint, Thornhill and Alcock make a powerful case for the importance of sexual selection. In doing so they show the riches to be gained from an integration of theory and example. "[The Evolution of Insect Mating Systems] brings to a vertebrate-biased literature a well-documented and persuasive demonstration of the importance of insects for generation and testing of theory . . . organizes an immense and diverse literature on insect reproductive behavior into a logical framework that will allow more efficient and effective exploration of both insect behavior and sexual selection theory. Thornhill and Alcock demonstrate the utiltity of evolutionary (selectionist) thinking for organizing and explaining diverse and complex patterns of behavior . . . As a result, their books goes well beyond a review and synthesis of tghe literature of insect behavior . . . The Evolution of Insect Mating Systems will make its mark as one of the more important contributions to behavioral ecology, evolutionary theory, and entomology."-Science

Review

"...will make its mark as one of the more important contributions to behavioral ecology, evolutionary theory, and entomology." -- Science