Nicholas B. Davies, John R. Krebs and Stuart A. West
Imprint
Hoboken, NJ : Wiley-Blackwell, 2012
Edition
4th ed.
Descript
xii, 506 p. : ill. ; 26 cm
SUMMARY
This textbook helped to define the field of Behavioural Ecology. In this fourth edition the text has been completely revised, with new chapters and many new illustrations and full colour photographs. The theme, once again, is the influence of natural selection on behaviour – an animal's struggle to survive and reproduce by exploiting and competing for resources, avoiding predators, selecting mates and caring for offspring, – and how animal societies reflect both cooperation and conflict among individuals. Written in the same engaging and lucid style as the previous editions, the authors explain the latest theoretical ideas using examples from micro-organisms, invertebrates and vertebrates. There are boxed sections for some topics and marginal notes help guide the reader. The book is essential reading for students of behavioural ecology, animal behaviour and evolutionary biology. -- From back cover
CONTENT
Natural selection, ecology and behaviour -- Testing hypotheses in behavioural ecology -- Economic decisions and the individual -- Predators versus prey: evolutionary arms races -- Competing for resources -- Living in groups -- Sexual selection, sperm competition and sexual conflict -- Parental care and family conflicts -- Mating systems -- Sex allocation -- Social behaviours: altruism to spite -- Cooperation -- Altruism and conflict in the social insects -- Communication and signals -- Conclusion
