ABS Book List

Geoffrey E. Hill.   2007. Ivorybill Hunters: The Search for Proof in a Flooded Wilderness

The last documented sighting of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker--one of the rarest and most intriguing animals in the world--was noted over 50 years ago. Long thought to be extinct, the 2005 announcement of a sighting in Arkansas sparked tremendous enthusiasm and hope that this species could yet be saved. But the subsequent failure of a massive search to relocate Ivorybills in Arkansas made hope for the species' revival short-lived. Here, noted ornithologist Geoffrey Hill tells the story of how he and two of his colleagues stumbled upon what may be a breeding population of Ivory-billed Woodpeckers in the swamps of northern Florida. He relates their laborious attempts to document irrefutable evidence for the existence of this shy, elusive bird following the failure of a much larger research team to definitively prove the bird's existence.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 17:42 )

Robert B. Payne, Karen Klitz.   2005. The Cuckoos (Bird Families of the World)

The cuckoos are the most variable birds in social behavior and parental care: a few cuckoos are among the most social of all birds and rear their young in a common nest; most cuckoos are caring parents that rear their own young with some females laying a few eggs in the nests of others; while many cuckoo species are brood parasites who leave their eggs in the nests of other birds to rear, with their young maturing to kill their foster nestmates. In The Cuckoos, Robert B. Payne presents a new evolutionary history of the family based on molecular genetics, and uses the family tree to explore the origins and diversity of their behaviour. He traces details of the cuckoos' biology to their original sources, includes descriptions of previously unpublished field observations, and reveals new comparisons of songs showing previously overlooked cuckoo species. Lavishly illustrated with specially commissioned color plates and numerous maps, halftones, and line drawings, The Cuckoos provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date account of this family yet available.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 18:11 )

Charles R. Brown, Mary Bomberger Brown.   1996. Coloniality in the Cliff Swallow: The Effect of Group Size on Social Behavior

A monograph focusing on the Browns' long-term study of colonial nesting in cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) along the Platte River in western Nebraska. The book addresses the costs and benefits of group living, alternative reproductive tactics such as brood parasitism and extrapair mating, the demographic consequences of coloniality, and hypotheses for why colony size varies. The book is the most detailed study of animal coloniality ever done and should appeal to ornithologists, behavioral ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and parasitologists.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 18:38 )

Etta Kaner, Greg Douglas.   2002. Animal Talk: How Animals Communicate through Sight, Sound and Smell (Animal Behavior)

Review by Dr. Paul V. Switzer, Eastern Illinois University: Animal Talk is the most recent contribution to an excellent series of animal behavior and ecology books by Etta Kaner and is the RECIPIENT OF THE ANIMAL BEHAVIOR SOCIETY'S 2003 OUTSTANDING CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD.. The book presents animal communication by dividing communication up by context, including "Saying it with Sound," "Saying it with Smell," and "Body language." In each section, Greg Douglas' outstanding illustrations are paired with descriptions of appropriate examples, often including the method of communication (e.g. woodpeckers hammering on hollow logs to send sound over 1 km) and the possible functions of the behavior (e.g. calling for a mate or defending its territory). Also present in each section are two clever and engaging approaches: hands-on experiments that demonstrate a particular point (e.g. waving a paper towel near perfume to demonstrate why ring-tailed lemurs wave their tails during fights) and a "If you were a [animal species]" box, in which more facts are given for a particular species (e.g. "If you were a howler monkey, you'd live in the tropical rainforests of South America…"). Animal Talk does a nice job of including both familiar animals, such as tigers and dolphins, as well as less familiar animals, such as California ground squirrels and water striders. Each section has enough examples to effectively illustrate the point but not so many as to make it difficult to read. However, this book does include lots of information and for younger readers it may be best tackled one section at a time. Children readers consistently commented that they liked the pictures, the amount of information, and the experiments that they could try.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 15:08 )

J. Wright, M.L. Leonard.   2002. The Evolution of Begging: Competition, Cooperation and Communication

Begging by nestlings birds has become the model system for investigations into evolutionary conflicts of interest within families and the honest signalling of offspring need. Originally inspired by theoretical treatments of parent-offspring conflict and its resolution, the field has broadened to include a range of topics in behaviour, physiology and evolutionary biology. "The Evolution of Begging" is the first book on the topic of begging and includes 24 chapters by the top researchers in the field. The book is divided into six sections including 1) theoretical approaches to begging, 2) begging as a signal and the issue of costs, 3) nestling physiology, 4) sibling competition, 5) brood parasitism and 6) statistical challenges. The book will provide a comphrensive reference for students, teachers and researchers with an interest in behaviour and evolution, and should be a source of ideas for future investigations in this dynamic area.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 02:59 )

David Evans Walter, Heather Coreen Proctor.   1999. Mites: Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour

Mites (Arachnida: Acari) are among the most species-rich and ecologically diverse of all animals. They live everywhere, from the frozen fields of Antarctica to the sandy deserts of Africa, from the rainforest canopy to the deepest ocean trenches, from the tracheae of honeybees to the pillow beneath your head. Mites are predators, parasites, herbiovores, detritovores, malentities and mutualists. Despite their ubiquity and ecological importance, most biologists know nothing about them. The goal of "Mites: Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour" is to inform students and researchers about these neglected arthropods. The book is a comprehensive natural history of the Acari. It differs from many previous reference works in that it concerns itself with mites of purely scientific interest as well as those of economic importance such as ticks, spider mites and house-dust mites. Topics include evolutionary history, life cycles, habitats, reproductive systems, and biodiversity. It is well illustrated and contains about 1000 references.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 02:53 )

John Alcock.   2005. Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach, Eighth Edition

Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach continues the tradition of its predecessors in showing how evolutionary biologists analyze all aspects of behavior. The book is distinguished by its balanced treatment of both the underlying mechanisms and evolutionary causes of behavior. The text 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 from studies of invertebrates and vertebrates. The writing style is clear and engaging: beginning students have no difficulty following the material, despite the strong conceptual orientation of the text.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-14 11:55 )

Nebraska Symposium, Daniel W. Leger, Alan C. Kamil, Jeffrey A. French.   2001. Nebraska Symposium on Motivation, 2000, Volume 47: Evolutionary Psychology and Motivation (Nebraska Symposium on Motivation)

Contents: D.W. Leger, A.C. Kamil, & J.A. French: Introduction: Fear and loathing of evolutionary psychology in the social sciences. M. Daly & M. Wilson: Risk-taking, intrasexual competition, and homicide. S. W. Gangestad: Adaptive design, selective history, and women's sexual motivations M.K. McClintock, S. Jacob, B. Zelano, & D.J.S. Hayreh: Pheromones and vasanas: The functions of social chemosignals. G. Gigerenzer: The adaptive toolbox: Toward a Darwinian rationality. R.M. Seyfarth & D.L. Cheney: Cognitive strategies and the representation of social relations by monkeys. R.M. Nesse: Motivation and melancholy: A Darwinian perspective.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 21:35 )

Steven A. Frank.   1998. Foundations of Social Evolution

A theoretical treatment of one of the central problems in evolutionary biology, the evolution of social cooperation and conflict. Steven Frank approaches the problem with a highly original combination of approaches: game theory, classical models of natural selection, quantitative genetics, and kin selection. He combines the three measures of value used in biology - marginal value, reproductive value, and kin selection- into a coherant framework, providing the first unified analysis of social evolution in its full ecological and demographic context.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 20:54 )

Brock Fenton.   1998. The Bat: Wings in the Night Sky

Seven chapters explore various aspects of the biology and behaviour of bats, from echolocation to diet, roosting habits to conservation. Color photographs of over 50 species of bats, as well as black and white photographs of some of their anatomical features. The book is intended for a lay audience.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 03:09 )

Eisen, Westmoreland.   1998. The Living Staircase

The book is designed to integrate fundamental concepts for introductory biology students. Ten chapters cover ten principles of biology, showing how they apply at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecological levels. A chapter on chemical signaling as a means of communication draws heavily from animal behavior.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 02:12 )

Lee Alan Dugatkin, Hudson Kern Reeve.   2000. Game Theory and Animal Behavior

Game theory has revolutionized the study of animal behavior. The fundamental principle of evolutionary game theory that the strategy adopted by one individual depends on the strategies exhibited by others has proven a powerful tool in uncovering the forces shaping otherwise mysterious behaviors. In this volume, the first since 1982 devoted to evolutionary game theory, leading researchers describe applications of the theory to diverse types of behavior, providing an overview of recent discoveries and a synthesis of current research. The volume begins with a clear introduction to game theory and its explanatory scope. This is followed by a series of chapters on the use of game theory to understand a range of behaviors: social foraging, cooperation, animal contests, communication, reproductive skew and nepotism within groups, sibling rivalry, alternative life histories, habitat selection, trophic level interactions, learning, and human social behavior. In addition, the volume includes a discussion of the relations among game theory, optimality, and quantitative genetics, and an assessment of the overall utility of game theory to the study of social behavior. Presented in a manner accessible to anyone interested in animal behavior but not necessarily trained in the mathematics of game theory, the book is intended for a wide audience of undergraduates, graduate students, and professional biologists pursuing the evolutionary analysis of animal behavior.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2006-09-03 17:00 )

Lee Alan Dugatkin.   2003. Principles of Animal Behavior

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2007-11-14 09:24 )

Lee Dugatkin.   1999. CHEATING MONKEYS AND CITIZEN BEES : The NATURE of COOPERATION in ANIMALS and HUMANS

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-04 10:59 )

Lee Alan Dugatkin.   1997. Cooperation among Animals: An Evolutionary Perspective (Oxford Series in Ecology and Evolution)

Despite the depiction of nature 'red in tooth and claw' that is still all too common, cooperation is actually widespread in the animal kingdom. Various types of cooperative behaviors have been documented in everything from insects to primates, and in every imaginable ecological scenario. Yet why animals cooperate is still a hotly contested question in the literature on evolution and animal social behavior. In Cooperation Among Animals: An Evolutionary Perspective, Dugatkin examines the history surrounding the study of cooperation, and proceed to examine conceptual, theoretical and empirical work on this fascinating subject. He outlines four different categories of cooperation reciprocal altruism, kinship, group selected cooperation and byproduct mutualism and attempts to tie these categories together in a single framework called the Cooperator's Dilemma. Hundreds of studies on cooperation in insects, fish, birds and mammals are then reviewed. Cooperation in this wide array of taxa includes, but is not limited to cooperative hunting, cooperative antipredator behavior, cooperative foraging, cooperative sexual coalitions, cooperative grooming, helper's at the nest, territoriality, 'policing' behavior and group thermoregulation. Each example outlined is tied back to the theoretical framework developed early on, whenever the data allows this. Future experiments designed to further elucidate on a particular type of cooperation are provided throughout the book.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2006-09-03 20:53 )

Judy Diamond, Alan B. Bond.   1999. Kea, Bird of Paradox: The Evolution and Behavior of a New Zealand Parrot

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 22:24 )

Frans de Waal.   2000. Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex among Apes

In Chimpanzee Politics, Frans de Waal expands and updates his extraordinary account of the daily life of a large zoo colony of chimpanzees in Arnhem, The Netherlands. This new edition expands our knowledge of chimpanzee behavior and tells what has happened to the members of the Arnhem colony in the last fifteen years. When first published in 1982, Chimpanzee Politics helped establish the now accepted view that the higher animals experience desires, intentions, and even consciousness. Today, this engrossing account of sexual rivalries and coalitions, of actions governed by intelligence rather than instinct, reaffirms the complex bond between humans and their closest living relatives. The chimpanzees of Arnhem behave in ways we recognize from Machiavelli; the roots of politics, de Waal concludes are older than humanity

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 12:59 )

Jae C. Choe, Bernard J. Crespi.   1997. The Evolution of Mating Systems in Insects and Arachnids

Insects and arachnids display the most impressive diversity of mating and social behavior among all animals. This book investigates sexual competition in these groups, and the variety of ways in which males and females, pursue, persuade, manipulate, control and help one another. Each chapter provides a comprehensive review of mating systems in various groups and suggests fruitful avenues for further research.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 21:47 )

Jae C. Choe, Bernard J. Crespi.   1997. The Evolution of Social Behaviour in Insects and Arachnids

Social insects and arachnids exhibit forms of complex behavior that involve cooperation in building a nest, defending against attackers or rearing offspring. This book is a comprehensive, up-to-date guide to sociality and its evolution in a wide range of taxa. In it, leading researchers review the extent of sociality in different groups, analyze the genetic, ecological and demographic causes of sociality from a comparative perspective, and suggest ways the field can be better understood.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 03:53 )

John C. Wright, Judi Wright Lashnits.   1996. Is Your Cat Crazy Solutions from the Casebook of a Cat Therapist

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-04 02:00 )

John C. Wright, Judy Wright Lashnits.   2001. Ain't Misbehavin': The Groundbreaking Program for Happy, Well-Behaved Pets and Their People

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-03 21:51 )

John Alcock, Marilyn Hoff Stewart.   1994. Sonoran Desert Spring

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-04 08:58 )

John Alcock.   2003. The Triumph of Sociobiology

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 11:34 )

Paul W. Sherman, John Alcock.   2005. Exploring Animal Behavior: Readings from American Scientist, Fourth Edition

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-04 11:25 )

John Alcock, Marilyn Hoff Stewart.   1994. Sonoran Desert Summer

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 11:34 )

John Alcock.   2001. Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-04 03:06 )

Brenda Z. Guiberson, Steve Jenkins.   2004. Rain, Rain, Rain Forest

Review by Dr. Christopher Cratsley, Fitchburg State College: Splitter, splat splash! These three words mark the beginning of the tale of a few days in a rain forest in the book Rain, Rain, Rain Forest. The sounds of raindrops, animals and even human activity combine with beautiful illustrations to make the rainforest come alive for the reader. The narrative follows the patterns of rainfall and the behaviors of a number of different animals including a tree sloth, monkeys, poison dart frogs, and leaf-cutter ants as they interact with each other, with the plants of the rainforest, and with the rain itself. The descriptions of the behavior of the animals of the rain forest, though brief, are accurate and provide insight into how these animals survive in this unique environment. The story places human behavior in a similar context, describing how local villagers and researchers can observe animal behavior and learn to use the natural products of the jungle for medicines or other purposes. This book provides a short but engaging glimpse into the biology of the rain forest, making it an excellent jumping off point for children and adults to discuss animal behavior, the environment, and how we as humans interact with our environment. It is a credit to the book's realism that one class of children who read it were concerned about the capture of a monkey by an eagle in the book, and their teacher used this opportunity to discuss predation with them in the classroom.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 14:56 )

Aubrey Lang, Wayne Lynch.   2004. Baby Ground Squirrel (Nature Babies)

Reviewed by Dr. Paul V. Switzer, Eastern Illinois University: Baby Ground Squirrel follows the first season of life for a litter of Richardson's ground squirrels, from the initial conception to right before hibernation. This book describes their development, anti-predator behavior, feeding behavior, burrow layout, and hibernation, all at a level that is appropriate for children new to such ideas. The book also has an informative "Did you know?" section at the end that provides more detail on ground squirrel biology. Throughout, Lynch's photography provides excellent photographs to illustrate the ideas being presented in the text. Our children reviewers loved the pictures and the facts the book presented on the life cycle of the ground squirrel.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 12:19 )

Etta Kaner, Pat Stephens.   2004. Animal Groups: How Animals Live Together (Animal Behavior)

Review by Dr. Abby L. Schwarz, Langara College :: Etta Kaner's writing in Animal Groups is informative, engaging and cheerful, and Pat Stephens' accurate and colourful illustrations add to the book's charm. Many aspects of grouping behavior are covered for a wide variety of animals, including parental behavior, playing, anti-predator behavior, and grooming. Kaner sustains interest in the topic by weaving clear and simple questions into her stories, and continually draws parallels between the activities of her subjects and those of children. Children liked the quality and quantity of information, found it "easy to understand," and found the illustrations "good and realistic." (Note: there is a captioning error on p. 15: "song sparrow" and "male parula warbler" should be reversed).

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 12:19 )

Rebecca L. Grambo, Daniel J. Cox.   2004. Lupe: A Wolf Cub's First Year (Wild Beginnings Series)

Reviewed by Dr. Paul V. Switzer, Eastern Illinois University :: Lupe is the ABS OUTSTANDING CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD RECIPIENT for 2005. The story chronicles the first year of a wolf pup's life. In the process, the reader finds out fascinating information about wolf behavior. Information on other aspects of Yellowstone National Park is also integrated, such as the natural history of other animals (e.g. magpies, river otters, and elk) and plants (e.g. lodgepole pines) and information on the Park’s geology (e.g. hot springs). The text is accompanied by beautiful photographs of wolves and of Yellowstone. The wolves "talk" in the book, which may be objectionable to some who prefer books with a more natural approach, but our adult reviewers found the book to be enjoyable and accurate and our children reviewers liked "how the wolves could talk" and thought the pictures were "wonderful".

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 12:19 )

J. W. Bradbury, Sandra L. Vehrencamp.   1998. Principles of Animal Communication

The study of animal communication requires a broader set of perspectives than nearly any other topic in biology. Relevant disciplines include physics, chemistry, neurobiology, cognitive science, evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, and economics. Principles of Animal Communication integrates all of these approaches in its treatment of animal signal evolution. The taxonomic scope is kept broad, and all sensory modalities are discussed. The text is aimed at upperlevel undergraduate or beginning graduate students. Quantitative approaches are emphasized but kept to the level of simple algebra, and the relevance of all results and analyses is explained verbally. Many unresolved issues for future research are identified. Topics begin with the physics and physiology of signal production, propagation, and reception, turn to the economics of cooperating communicators, and end with the complications arising when sender and receiver do not have identical interests during communication. A variety of signal analysis and evolutionary methods are explained and demonstrated with examples. Principles of Animal Communication can be used as the basis for a general introduction to animal communication studies or, by focusing on specific sections, for more specialized and advanced courses.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 12:02 )

Patrick Bateson, Johan J. Bolhuis, Jerry A. Hogan.   1999. The Development of Animal Behavior: A Reader

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-03 23:46 )

Sue Boinski, Paul A. Garber.   2000. On the Move: How and Why Animals Travel in Groups

Getting from here to there may be simple for one individual. But as any parent, scout leader, or CEO knows, herding a whole troop in one direction is a lot more complicated. Who leads the group? Who decides where the group will travel, and using what information? How do they accomplish these tasks? ON THE MOVE addresses these questions, examining the social, cognitive, and ecological processes that underlie patterns and strategies of group travel. Chapters discuss how factors such as group size, resource distribution and availability, the costs of travel, predation, social cohesion, and cognitive skills affect how individuals as well as social groups exploit their environment. Most chapters focus on field studies of a wide range of human and nonhuman primate groups, from squirrel monkeys to Turkana pastoralists, but chapters covering group travel in hyenas, birds, dolphins, and bees provide a broad taxonomic perspective and offer new insights into comparative questions, such as whether primates are unique in their ability to coordinate group-level activities.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 11:59 )

Jeffrey M. Black, Mark Hulme.   1996. Partnerships in Birds: The Study of Monogamy (Oxford Ornithology Series)

Some birds mate for life, while others have many partners. Why? In this book, fourteen classic studies are brought together to compare different partnership patterns from ecological and evolutionary perspectives. The subjects have been chosen to include the same species living in different habitats (Sparrowhawks) and at different population densities (Great Tits. There are comparisons between closely related species (Mute Swans and Bewick's Swans; Florida Scrub Jays and Pinyon Jays. The studies span the globe and the behavioural gradient, from Iceland's strictly monogamous Whooper Swans to Australia's sexually promiscuous splendid Fairy-wrens. In all cases, sexual and social relationships strongly influence a bird's survival and breeding success. Recent research has revealed an astonishing diversity in avian male-female relationships. Social monogamy and sexual fidelity are not necessarily the same thing, and birds have been shown to adopt many variations on this theme. The book opens with three stimulating general chapters by Jeff Black; Patty Gowaty; and Doug Mock, Patricia Schwagmeyer and Geoff Parker. These chapters place the key issues in perspective and highlight unresolved questions. Two overview chapters by Tim Birkhead and Anders Moller, and by Bruno Ens and others, complete this volume, which is the first to bring together the current ferment of ideas and data on bird pair bonds.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 11:59 )

Marc Bekoff.   2000. Strolling with Our Kin: Speaking for and Respecting Voiceless Animals

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 11:59 )

Gordon M. Burghardt, Brian Sutton-Smith.   2005. The Genesis of Animal Play: Testing the Limits (Bradford Books)

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 11:59 )

Marc Bekoff, John A. Byers.   1998. Animal Play: Evolutionary, Comparative and Ecological Perspectives

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-04 08:58 )

Marc Bekoff, Colin Allen, Gordon Burghardt.   2002. The Cognitive Animal: Empirical and Theoretical Perspectives on Animal Cognition

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 11:57 )

Marc Bekoff, Jane Goodall.   2003. Minding Animals: Awareness, Emotions, and Heart

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-05-09 13:25 )

Marc Bekoff, Stephen Jay Gould.   2000. The Smile of a Dolphin: Remarkable Accounts of Animal Emotions

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-04 08:42 )

Edward M. Barrows.   1995. Animal Behavior Desk Reference

This book is for students, researchers, teachers, writers, and others interested in science. It contains over 5,000 terms in animal behavior, biogeography, ecology, entomology, evolution, genetics, psychology, systematics, statistics, and other related sciences. It is formatted like a standard dictionary and depending on the term; it contains multiple definitions listed chronologically; term hierarchies summarized in tables; definition sources; directives that show where a concept is defined under a synonymous name and concepts related to focal ones; non-technical and obsolete definitions; pronunciations; synonyms; classifications of organisms and descriptions of many taxa; and organizations relevant to animal behavior, ecology, evolution, and related sciences. This book discusses how definitions impact the way people communicate and relates controversies regarding the meanings of many terms.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 11:55 )

Edward M. Barrows.   2000. Animal Behavior Desk Reference, Second Edition: A Dictionary of Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Evolution

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 11:49 )

George Barlow, George W. Barlow.   2002. The Cichlid Fishes: Nature's Grand Experiment in Evolution

Cichlid fishes are amazing creatures. In terms of sheer number of species, they are the most successful of all families of vertebrate animals, and the extent and speed with which they have evolved in some African lakes has made them the darlings of evolutionary biologists. But what really captivates scientists like George W. Barlow--not to mention thousands of aquarists the world over--is the complexity of their social lives and their devotion to family: Most species of cichlids are monogamous and many pairs share the responsibility of raising offspring. In this way, they embody the abstract ideal of the human family, with males and females remaining faithful to each other as long as the offspring need their care and protection. With warmth and wit, Barlow describes the remarkably high intelligence of these fishes, their complex mating and parenting rituals, their bizarre feeding and fighting habits, and their highly unusual adaptations. He tells us about female fish that can change their sex overnight when males are in short supply, and males that lug enormous snail shells into their territory so that their mates will have a proper home. Some cichlid parents even allow their offspring to feed from their own bodies when food is scarce. But it is the cichlids' explosive rate of speciation that makes them unique in the animal kingdom. Far more diverse than Darwin's finches, cichlids have evolved into over a thousand species. With fantastic jaws that allow them to exploit a wide array of food sources, and scores of unique feeding and mating strategies, cichlids have an uncanny ability to specialize. While many think of nature as a collection of ecological niches waiting to be filled, cichlids appear to create their own niches--and they prosper because of it. A celebration of their diversity, The Cichlid Fishes is also a marvelous exploration of how these unique animals might help resolve the age-old puzzle of how species arise and evolve. Like E.O. Wilson's ants, and Bernd Heinrich's ravens, George Barlow's cichlids will delight and enlighten naturalists for generations to come.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-05-14 07:53 )

R. P. Balda, I. M. Pepperberg, A. C. Kamil.   1998. Animal Cognition in Nature: The Convergence of Psychology and Biology in Laboratory and Field

The authors who contributed to this volume view cognition as an adaptive trait, shaped largely by the influence of natural selection. Cognition is part of the adaptive arsenal with which animals cope with environmental demands and constraints. The quantity and quality of information an animal has about its environment, and how well it can process this information, will be translated into the biological success of the animal. Authors of each chapter were challenged to present their most contemporary data, discuss their data in a cognitive framework, considering what advantages and disadvantages such a framework might offer and address potentially fruitful areas of future research within a cognitive perspective.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 11:34 )

Stuart A. Altmann.   1998. Foraging for Survival: Yearling Baboons in Africa

The most intensive investigations ever carried out on foraging behavior and its consequences for survival and reproduction. Basing his study on field observations of eleven yearling baboons, Altmann includes detailed data on what types of food and how much each baboon ate, as well as chemical analyses of these foods to identify differences in nutrient intake. He then statistically compares these actual data with ideal figures determined by a general model of optimal diets. Perhaps the most striking result of Altmann's study is that the baboons' subsequent survival and reproductive success could be accurately predicted from what they had eaten as yearlings. Those that had energy intakes closest to the optimum and protein intakes furthest above their requirements were most likely to survive to adulthood and to successfully produce offspring. The result of decades of research, Foraging for Survival will be an essential reference for primatologists, behavioral ecologists, mammalogists, and nutritionists.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 11:49 )

John Alcock, Turid Forsyth.   1997. In a Desert Garden: Love and Death Among the Insects

The book describes the conversion of a once insect-unfriendly Bermuda grass front yard into a suburban insect oasis, without totally alienating the neighbors. The task required changing the standard all-American front yard into a patch of reconstructed desert chaparral with a small rectangular vegetable garden set off to the side. This metamorphosis opened the door to a parade of insects who came to stay or at least visit for awhile, sharing their lives with the author while also sharing part of the garden's produce in some cases. After explaining how this transformation came to be, the book's following chapters wander through the front yard, pointing out the insects on the brittlebush, milkweed, and zucchini while explaining what is interesting about the brittlebush aphid, the milkweed bug, and the zucchini bee. A combination gardening and insect behavior book.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 11:49 )

Susan A. Foster, John A. Endler.   1999. Geographic Variation in Behavior: Perspectives on Evolutionary Mechanisms

Traditional approaches to the study of animal behavior have most often assumed that all members of a species exhibit the same behavior, termed species typical behavior. The papers in Geographic Variation in Behavior demonstrate the fallacy of this assumption, providing ample evidence of variation across the ranges of a wide variety of taxa. Each of the chapters in this edited book describes research on behavioral characters that vary geographically, at least in part as a consequence of underlying genetic variation. The authors explore either the mechanisms by which the behavioral differences have evolved, or methodological issues in the evolutionary study of geographic variation in behavior. Taken together, the body of work represented in this book demonstrates that genetically based geographic variation in behavior may be the norm, rather than the exception. Equally, the examples offer exciting insights into the ways in which geographic variation in behavior can be used to understand the causes and consequences of behavioral evolution, and of evolutionary pattern in general. The book is unique in its emphasis on geographic variation in behavior as a source of evolutionary insight, and of information on the mechanisms of behavioral evolution.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 15:04 )

Reuven Dukas.   1998. Cognitive Ecology: The Evolutionary Ecology of Information Processing and Decision Making

How does the environment shape the ways an animal processes information and makes decisions? How do constraints imposed on nervous systems affect an animal's activities? To help answer these questions, Cognitive Ecology integrates evolutionary ecology and cognitive science, demonstrating how studies of perception, memory, and learning can deepen our understanding of animal behavior and ecology. Individual chapters consider such issues as the evolution of learning and its influence on behavior; the effects of cognitive mechanisms on the evolution of signaling behavior; how neurobiological and evolutionary processes have shaped navigational activities; functional and mechanical explanations for altered behaviors in response to changing environments; how foragers make decisions and how these decisions are influenced by the risks of predation; and how cognitive mechanisms affect partner choice. Cognitive Ecology will encourage biologists to consider how animal cognition affects behavior, and will also interest comparative psychologists and cognitive scientists.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2006-09-04 10:01 )

Scott Creel, Nancy Marusha Creel.   2002. The African Wild Dog: Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation (Monographs in Behavior and Ecology)

This book presents data from a long-term study of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Selous Game Reserve of southern Tanzania. While most the data is previously unpublished, the book also makes a serious effort to compile information from other studies of wild dogs, and studies of other social carnivores. African wild dogs are endangered, and much of the book focuses on identifying the ecological and demographic reasons that wild dogs are invariably rare in comparison to other large carnivores in the same ecosystems. The book presents substantial data on basic subjects such as ranging patterns, habitat selection, and life history. Wild dogs are obligately cooperative breeders, and the book examines a broad range of topics in the evolution and mechanisms of cooperation and conflict. Wild dogs are strongly affected by interspecific competition, which is examined at length. Finally, the book presents the largest data set collected to date on mammalian predator-prey interactions. While the book is written for professional biologists and students, it will also be of interest to well-read amateurs.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 12:16 )

Dale H. Clayton, Janice Moore.   1997. Host-Parasite Evolution: General Principles and Avian Models

A range of experts have written chapters that review general concepts and provide a detailed survey of the parasites of a major group of hosts. The book concludes with extensive reviews of methods used to study bird parasites. This is a question oriented volume with a solid organismal foundation that will help bridge the gap between evolutionary ecologists and parasitologists.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 22:00 )

John A. Byers.   1998. American Pronghorn: Social Adaptations and the Ghosts of Predators Past

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-04 08:17 )

Charles R. Brown.   1998. Swallow Summer (Bison Book)

A nontechnical book written for people with interests in natural history, this chronicle of a single summer of field research focuses on how one studies animals in nature. The fascinating social behavior of the cliff swallow is described and serves as a backdrop, but this book is mostly an account of the joys and frustrations that come with field work. The author recounts adventures in the field, the inevitable friction among researchers and local residents, and the excitement that comes from scientific discovery.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 15:52 )

Robert K. Vander Meer, Michael D. Breed, Karl E. Espelie, Mark L. Winston.   1997. Pheromone Communication in Social Insects: Ants, Wasps, Bees, and Termites (Westview Studies in Insect Biology)

The book emphasizes the high level of sophistication of behavioral and chemical understanding that has been achieved for a diverse set of communicatory systems in social insects.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 02:17 )

George Waring.   2002. Horse Behavior, 2nd Edition

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-04 12:50 )

Michael D. Greenfield.   2002. Signalers and Receivers: Mechanisms and Evolution of Arthropod Communication

In most terrestrial and aquatic habitats, the vast majority of animals transmitting and receiving communicative signals are arthropods. This book presents the story of how this important group of animals use pheromones, sound, vibration, and light for sexual and social communication. Because of their small to minute body size most arthropods have problems sending and receiving acoustic and optical information, each of which have their own severe constraints. Because of these restraints they have developed chemical signaling which is not similarly limited by scale. Presenting the latest theoretical and experimental findings from studies of signaling, it suggests that close parallels between arthropods and vertebrates reflect a very limited number of solutions to problems in behavior that are available within the confines of physical laws.

added to list by Jill Mateo :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 00:26 )

Mary E. Glenn, Marina Cords.   2003. The Guenons: Diversity and Adaptation in African Monkeys (Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects)

This book features recently-gathered knowledge about the natural history of Africa's most species-rich group of anthropoid primates. The volume is particularly strong on behavioral ecology, but also presents important new evolutionary analyses and makes practical suggestions to address the growing threats posed to the survival of these (and other) African primates by ever-increasing habitat loss and hunting. The authors use the diversity of guenons to address, and often question, several major tenets of primate socioecology. Most significantly, this volume thoroughly demolishes the view that guenons are a uniform radiation. Topics covered include evolution, taxonomy, biogeography, reproductive physiology, positional behavior, social and reproductive behavior, ecology, and conservation. The book is composed of 26 chapters compiled by 47 authors, many of whom are young investigators in their field.

added to list by Jill Mateo :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 12:02 )

Marina Cords.   1987. Mixed-Species Association of Cercopithecus Monkeys in the Kakamega Forest, Kenya (University of California Publications in Zoology)

This monograph presents the results of a 12-month field study of the social and ecological relations between two monkey species that occur sympatrically in many African forests. While focusing on an evolutionary analysis of their participation in mixed-species groups, the book includes extensive data on feeding, diet and ranging behavior, social behavior, vocalizations, and anti-predator behavior. Comparisons to other taxa that form mixed-species associations are also included.

added to list by Jill Mateo :: ( last modified 2008-04-27 09:40 )

Kenneth P. Able.   1999. Gatherings of Angels: Migrating Birds and Their Ecology (Comstock Book)

The book is intended for a general audience and contains 13 chapters describing the phenomena of migration in North America and original research that has been done on each of the example systems. Following two introductory chapters on the scope, evolution, physiology, and behavior involved in bird migration (by Able), there follow chapters on migration across the Gulf of Mexico (Sidney Gauthreaux), stopover ecology on the northern Gulf Coast (Frank Moore), autumn migration of the blackpoll warbler (James Baird), broad-winged hawk migration (Keith Bildstein), sandhill cranes and the Platte River (Gary Krapu), the migration of the white-rumped sandpiper (Brian Harrington), dunlins and western sandpipers on the Copper River Delta (Stanley Senner), the rufous hummingbird in Rocky Mountain meadows. An Epilogue (Able) discusses the conservation of birds on migration. Twenty-four pages of color photographs plus black and white photos, figures and maps (by Cindy Lippincott).

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 11:49 )

Clive D. L. Wynne.   2006. Do Animals Think?

added to list by Jill Mateo :: ( last modified 2008-03-21 14:37 )

Jeffrey R Lucas, Leigh W Simmons.   2005. Essays in Animal Behaviour: Celebrating 50 Years of Animal Behaviour

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-04 11:25 )

Rebecca L. Grambo, Daniel J. Cox.   2003. Borealis: A Polar Bear Cub's First Year (Wild Beginnings Series)

Review by: Dr. Paul V. Switzer, Eastern Illinois University: Borealis tells a story of the first 4 seasons of a polar bear cub's life. This book is largely written as a series of conversations between the cub and his mom as he learns about his Arctic home. These conversations are loaded with information both on polar bear biology and behavior and on other natural and human events in the Arctic. Borealis discovers how to hunt seals, why ptarmigan change color, why he should avoid the nests of snowy owls, and about people (...don’t get too close. People can be unpredictable..). Children liked the story line, the excellent photography, and the additional facts at the end of the book, but some children didn't like the fact that the bears talked. Overall, Borealis is an interesting book with an engaging story line that provides children with a visual and factual introduction to the Arctic environment.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 12:19 )

Joyce Powzyk.   2003. Little Lemur Named Mew, A

Review by Dr. Sue Margulis, Brookfield Zoo: A Little Lemur Named Mew offers a delightful and highly accurate portrayal of the first months of a young ring-tailed lemur's life. Events ranging from foraging on tamarind pods, to stink fights, to close encounters with predators are all presented in a compelling manner, with subtle and detailed illustrations. Taking us from Mew's birth in the dry forests of Southwestern Madagascar through the cyclones of the rainy season, we see the world through a little lemur's eyes. Although students' opinions ranged from "captivating" to "adventurous" to "boring," one 4th grader expressed the following opinion: "The pictures connected to the writing...and the details made me feel that I was actually there, watching them." By combining scientific accuracy with an engaging story, Powzyk entertains and educates by introducing us to Mew's world.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 14:56 )

Caitlin O'Connell.   2007. The Elephant's Secret Sense: The Hidden Life of the Wild Herds of Africa

added to list by Jill Mateo :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 18:30 )

Larry Lachman, Frank Mickadiet.   2002. Dogs on the Couch: Behavior Therapy for Training and Caring for Your Dog

Animal behaviorist Lachman introduces a new approach to dog training based on the theory of behavior modification. To correct undesirable behavior in dogs, Lachman applies human family-systems therapy rather than the harsh punishment techniques used by the majority of dog trainers. With a lighthearted writing style, he debunks some widely held myths about the dog-training process. He entertains the reader with case studies from his practice and describes training plans for specific behavior problems. The book includes helpful chapters on matching dog breeds to family characteristics, coping with the loss of a loved pet, and managing the fear of dogs. In keeping with modern technology, the book also offers a list of dog-related web sites. This will be of interest to dog owners and trainers and is recommended for public libraries.

added to list by Jill Mateo :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 00:58 )

Larry Lachman, Frank Mickadeit.   2000. Cats on the Counter : Therapy and Training for Your Cat

Cats are wonderful companions, but when they misbehave it can be challenging, if not outright difficult, to successfully treat the behavior problem in order to restore feline harmony to the home once again. In Cats on the Counter Dr. Larry Lachman uses his unique approaches, borrowed from human therapy, to analyze what makes kitty tick, and what happens when his behavior gets out of control. Using a case-by-case format, behaviorist Lachman and journalist Frank Mickadeit deal with common problems such as clawing furniture, refusing to use the litterbox or spray marking in the house, fussy eating, and fighting with other cats. Cats on the Counter is filled with fascinating stories, excellent advice, and empathy for both misbehaving pets and their long-suffering people. Other topics include:The Freudian Feline and Family Therapy: cat personality and structural family systems therapyThe Jekyll & Hyde Kitty: cat aggressionKitty Prozac: preserving your cat's mental healthAilurophobia: the fear of cats and how to treat itKidproofing your Cat: teaching your children how to care for your catLassie Meets Morris/Morris Meets Simba: introducing dogs to cats and cats to catsThe Final Feline Moment: pet loss, grief and how to say goodbye"Holy Cats Batman!": Kitty ESP, catnip treats, and afterthoughts.

added to list by Jill Mateo :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 01:17 )

Suzanne Hetts, Suzanne Hetts PhD.   1999. Pet Behavior Protocols: What to Say, What to Do, When to Refer

Pet Behavior Protocols: What to Say, What to Do, When to Refer is perfect for anyone in a position to aid pet owners in finding sensible solutions to pet behavior problems, including veterinary professionals, shelter staff, breeders, trainers, animal control agents, and anyone else involved with animal welfare. The book takes technical animal behavior theory and turns it into effective, practical solutions for real-life situations you'll face with dog and cat owners in your community. It supplies practical, effective protocols for behavioral problems so you can follow a methodical step-by-step guide when pet owners turn to you for solutions. The book includes sample questions so you'll know exactly what to ask pet owners and presents information on problem prevention using several highly effective principles.

added to list by Jill Mateo :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 07:28 )

Elizabeth Adkins-Regan.   2005. Hormones and Animal Social Behavior (Monographs in Behavior and Ecology)

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-03 23:46 )

Sharon L. Crowell-Davis, Thomas Murray.   2005. Veterinary Psychopharmacology

Every year as many as six million companion animals are euthanized for behavior problems in the United States alone. Every day veterinarians in practice are asked to treat pets exhibiting problem behaviors-behaviors that often can't be treated by traditional behavior modification therapy alone. In the last several years, pharmacologic treatments of behavior have made significant advances and can serve as a critical part of therapy.For students and professionals in veterinary medicine and animal science Veterinary Pscyhopharmacology is the only complete source of current knowledge on the subject of pharmacologic behavior modification. Classification of disorders is eschewed in favor of in-depth explanations of pharmacologic options in inducing behavior changes. Special emphasis is given to explaining the underlying mechanism of pharmacologic agents used in therapy; thus, veterinarians will know not only which drugs to prescribe but why they should be prescribed and how they work.

added to list by Jill Mateo :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 10:15 )

Gail Gibbons.   2004. Giant Pandas

Review by Dr. Sue W. Margulis, Brookfield Zoo: Superb illustrations, attention to detail, and one of the most charismatic and appealing mammals around combine to make Giant Pandas a sure hit, with its fascinating account of the natural history and behavior of the giant panda. Gail Gibbons' beautiful illustrations transport the reader to the rugged mountains of northern China that giant pandas call home. One third grader wrote: "I would read this book over and over and it would NEVER get boring. This book is a wonderful way to learn." The conservation message that is woven throughout the book provides a realistic though hopeful conclusion to a book that will enthrall children and parents.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 15:55 )

Irene Kelly.   2003. It's a Hummingbird's Life

Review by: Dr. Becky Talyn, California State University, San Bernardino: It's a Hummingbird's Life depicts the life cycle of the ruby-throated hummingbird using interesting and exciting prose, engaging illustrations, and creative layout. The story provides a detailed account of the seasonal behaviors of these energetic but tiny birds, including breeding, feeding, flight and migration. The writing style is engaging, yet includes some thematic repetition to create a cohesive presentation for younger readers. Teachers found the book to contain a lot of interesting information. The children who reviewed this book liked learning about "cute" hummingbirds, particularly their acrobatic flight, long migrations, nesting patterns and feeding the young. Many children enjoyed the illustrations, and several found the story funny, particularly the section about how the hummingbirds lean out of the nest to poop. Text is written in "wavy lines" to mimic the motion of the hummingbird; although this style was a clever idea and appealing to adults, reviews from children indicated that some either had difficulty with the style or just didn't like it. It's a Hummingbird's Life provides children with a fun and detailed look at a fascinating animal.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 12:19 )

Donald H. Owings, Eugene S. Morton.   1998. Animal Vocal Communication: A New Approach

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2006-09-10 12:52 )

Randy J. Nelson, Gregory E. Demas, Sabra L. Klein, Lance J. Kriegsfeld, Frank Bronson.   2005. Seasonal Patterns of Stress, Immune Function, and Disease

This book presents evidence that infection is cyclical with the seasons, and that this phenomenon is mirrored in cycles of immune function. The authors identify the mechanisms by which immune systems are bolstered to counteract seasonally-recurrent stressors, such as extreme temperature reductions and food shortages. The role of environmental stressors on infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and human cancers are examined, and the role of hormones such as sex steroids, melatonin, and glucocorticoids are considered. Forward by Frank Bronson.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 18:45 )

Randy J. Nelson.   2005. An Introduction to Behavioral Endocrinology, Third Edition

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-04 07:09 )

Larry Lachman, Diane Grindol, Frank Kocher.   2003. Birds Off the Perch: Therapy and Training for Your Pet Bird

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 21:40 )

Peter H. Klopfer.   1999. Politics and People in Ethology: Personal Reflections on the Study of Animal Behavior

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 07:12 )

Peter M. Kappeler.   2000. Primate Males: Causes and Consequences of Variation in Group Composition

This is a book about primate socioecology. It focuses on causes and consequences of variation in the number of males per group. This variation lies at the heart of understanding adaptive variation among social systems. Whether groups contain single or multiple males has important consequences for reproductive strategies of both sexes, and also shapes these animals' morphology and behavior. This book provides an extensive overview of variation in group composition across all major primate taxa. Up-to-date reviews and individual case studies describe and analyze the most salient feature of a taxon related to variation in the number of males. Other chapters explore the behavioral consequences of co-residence of multiple males. Evolutionary determinants of this variation and theoretical models are discussed in another set of chapters. Finally, comparative reviews of birds and selected other mammals provide a broader perspective on this basic problem.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 13:22 )

Sarah Hrdy.   1999. Mother Nature: A History of Mothers, Infants, and Natural Selection

Maternal "instinct"--the all-consuming, utterly selfless love that mothers lavish on their children--has long been assumed to be an innate, indeed defining element of a woman's nature. But is it? Hrdy strips away stereotypes and gender-biased myths to demonstrate that traditional views of maternal behavior are essentially wishful thinking codified as objective observations. As Hrdy argues, far from being "selfless," successful primate mothers have always combined nurturing with ambition, mother love with sexual love, ambivalence with devotion. In fact all mothers, in the struggle to guarantee both their own survival and that of their offspring, deal nimbly with competing demands and conflicting strategies. In this groundbreaking book, anthropologist (and mother) Sarah Blaffer Hrdy shares a radical new vision of motherhood and its crucial role in human evolution.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 21:37 )

Roger T. Hanlon, John B. Messenger.   1998. Cephalopod Behaviour

There are about 700 living species of cephalopods (squid, octopuses, Nautilus and cuttlefish) in the world's seas, some living in the tides, others in the deep ocean and yet others in the surface waters of seas. Cephalopods are considered to be the most highly evolved marine invertebrates and have advanced sensory systems, large brains and complex behaviour. This book describes and summarizes field and laboratory data from a wide variety of sources in the first comprehensive account of the life of cephalopods in their natural habitat. Their complex forms of communication using skin colour and pattern, prey location and capture, reproduction, learning and avoidance of predators are examined, emphasizing gaps in our knowledge to stimulate more students and researchers of animal behaviour in its widest sense to study these beautiful and fascinating animals.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 21:46 )

Thomas C. Grubb.   2003. The Mind of the Trout: A Cognitive Ecology for Biologists and Anglers

How and why do trout think? How do they decide where to eat and which food to eat? Why do they refuse to behave as predicted, rejecting a larger fly for a smaller one? How do trout know to bolt to one particular covered area after being flushed? Why can trout smell better than humans but not remember as well? Citing the most recent scientific findings in a readily understandable form, Grubb addresses these and other questions. It is the first book to bring together many varied concepts of cognitive ecology as applied to trout and their salmonid relatives: char, salmon, grayling, and whitefish.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 22:33 )

Janine R. Clemmons, Richard Buchholz.   1997. Behavioral Approaches to Conservation in the Wild

Behavioral Approaches to Conservation in the Wild presents theoretical and practical arguments for considering behavior patterns in attempts to conserve biodiversity. Today's conservation literature emphasizes landscape ecology and population genetics without addressing the behavioral links that enable the long term survival of populations. Prominent scientists and wildlife managers are brought together in this volume to address a number of issues, including the limits and potentials of behavioral research to conservation, the importance of behavioral variation as a component of biodiversity, and the use of animal behavior to solve conservation problems and provide specific direction for research and management practices. The book is unique by emphasizing conservation of wild populations as opposed to captive and reintroduced populations, where behavioral research has concentrated in the past. The variety of expertise in this volume demonstrates that the complete ethological framework, not just behavioral ecology, provides valuable techniques and knowledge for conserving biodiversity.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 03:37 )

Michael Tomasello, Josep Call.   1997. Primate Cognition

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-04 15:45 )

Randy Thornhill, Craig T. Palmer.   2001. A Natural History of Rape: Biological Bases of Sexual Coercion

Randy Thornhill and Craig Palmer use evolutionary biology to explain the causes of rape and to recommend new approaches to its prevention. According to Thornhill and Palmer, evolved adaptation of some sort gives rise to rape; the main evolutionary question is whether rape is an adaptation itself or a by-product of other adaptations. Regardless of the answer, Thornhill and Palmer note, rape circumvents a central feature of women's reproductive strategy: mate choice. This is a primary reason why rape is devastating to its victims, especially young women. Thornhill and Palmer address, and demolish scientifically, many myths about rape bred by social science theory over the past twenty-five years. The popular contention that rapists are not motivated by sexual desire is, they argue, scientifically inaccurate. Rape could cease to exist, they argue, only in a society knowledgeable about its evolutionary causes.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 09:06 )

Max R. Terman.   1997. Messages from an Owl

Messages From An Owl relates Max Terman's experiences training and tracking a great horned owl named "Stripey". This longterm study of a handreared individual using telemetry (the use of radio tags) is unique in the literature of animal behavior. Wherever Stripey wandered, Professor Terman could follow. He was able to "look over his owl's shoulder" when crows bantered and mobbed, when other owls launched fierce attacks, and when a prospective mate caught Stripey's eye. For nearly seven years, Professor Terman has been an unlikely companion to this amazing creature. From the time it fledged, Terman's owl roamed unrestrained killing prey, competing for territorial space and for mates, all the while sending messages, messages telling of hunts and kills, fence row romances, and intense battles over real estate and perching rights. Yet, with the author, it was tame, its aggression restrained its natural wariness held in check. By the smallest of odds, this was an owl with a crack open to humanity and Professor Terman engagingly explores this opening, receiving messages, revealing much about both owls and humans.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2006-09-04 06:06 )

Bridget J.M. Stutchbury, Eugene S. Morton.   2001. Behavioral Ecology of Tropical Birds

The main theme of this book is to illustrate how, and why tropical birds are so different from temperate zone birds. The book's purpose is to dispel the temperate zone biologist's ignorance of tropical biology and to stimulate more research on tropical birds. This book examines behavioral adaptations of tropical birds in timing of breeding, life history traits, mating systems, and parental care, territoriality, communication and biotic interactions, and emphasizes the many gaps in our knowledge of tropical birds. We urge that students and researchers in temperate and tropical regions alike realize the potential they have for improving our knowledge of avian adaptations far beyond what is currently accepted as gospel. Time is running out.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 13:10 )

Karen B. Strier.   2002. Primate Behavioral Ecology (2nd Edition)

Primate behavioral ecology incorporates exciting new discoveries in its introduction to the field and its applications of behavioral ecology primate conservation....integrates the basics of evolutionary and ecological approaches and new noninvasive molecular and hormonal techniques to the study of primate behavior.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 06:06 )

Nancy G. Solomon, Jeffrey A. French.   1996. Cooperative Breeding in Mammals

Cooperative breeding refers to a social system in which individuals other than the parents provide care for the offspring. Since individuals delay breeding and invest in the offspring of others, cooperative breeding poses a challenge to a Darwinian explanation of the evolution of social behavior. The contributors to this book, which is the first to be dedicated exclusively to the phenomenon, explore the evolutionary, ecological, behavioral, and physiological basis of cooperative breeding in mammals.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 01:34 )

Elliott Sober, David Sloan Wilson.   1998. Unto Others: The Evolution and Psychology of Unselfish Behavior

Unto Others examines the concept of altruism in both the evolutionary (based on fitness effects) and psychological (based on motives) senses of the word. Included is a thorough review of group selection in relation to the other major evolutionary theories of social behavior (kin selection, game theory, and selfish gene theory). Unto Others was written for an interdisciplinary audience but is also thorough in its coverage of the material. Its scope is conveyed in the final paragraph: Our book has been about altruism, but it also has opened opened the door to a wide range of other subjects. Altruism can be removed from the endangered species list in both biology and the social sciences. Groups can qualify as organismic units. Culture can play a vital role in the evolutionary process. And the study of psychological mechanisms can be as evolutionary as the study of behavior. It is heartening to contemplate the emergence of a legitimate pluralism--for evolutionary theories of social behavior, for theories of psychological motivation, and for the larger intellectual traditions that influence how we think about ourselves and the world around us.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 07:30 )

Charles T. Snowdon, Martine Hausberger.   1997. Social Influences on Vocal Development

Both song and language require species-specific stimulation at a sensitive period in development, as well as subsequent practice that leads to the development of characteristic vocalizations for each species. This book illustrates how social interactions during development can shape vocal learning and extend the sensitive period beyond infancy, and how social companions can induce flexibility even into adulthood.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 17:26 )

Stephen M. Shuster, Michael J. Wade.   2003. Mating Systems and Strategies (Monographs in Behavior and Ecology)

This book presents the first unified conceptual and statistical framework for understanding the evolution of reproductive strategies. Using the concept of the opportunity for sexual selection, the authors illustrate how and why sexual selection, though restricted to one sex and opposed in the other, is one of the strongest and fastest of all evolutionary forces. They offer a statistical framework for studying mating system evolution and apply it to patterns of alternative mating strategies. In doing so, they provide a method for quantifying how the strength of sexual selection is affected by the ecological and life history processes that influence females' spatial and temporal clustering and reproductive schedules. Directly challenging verbal evolutionary models that attempt to explain reproductive behavior without quantitative reference to evolutionary genetics, this book establishes a more solid theoretical foundation for the field. Among the weaknesses the authors find in the existing data is the apparent ubiquity of condition-dependent mating tactics. They identify factors likely to contribute to the evolution of alternative mating strategies--which they argue are more common than generally believed--and illustrate how to measure the strength of selection acting on them. Lastly, they offer predictions on the covariation of mating systems and strategies, consider the underlying developmental biology behind male polyphenism, and propose directions for future research. Informed by genetics, this is a comprehensive and rigorous new approach to explaining mating systems and strategies that will influence a wide swath of evolutionary biology.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 09:05 )

Gordon H. Rodda, Yoshio Sawai, David Chiszar, Hiroshi Tanaka.   1999. Problem Snake Management: The Habu and Brown Treesnake (Comstock Books)

Intensive research on and management of poisonous snakes has centered on Japan, home of the Habu, and Guam, where Brown Treesnakes have killed off many native species. This book draws on that research to present comprehensive guidelines for snake management, offering a wealth of information on their biology & behavior previously unavailable in English. The authors address a wide range of problems associated iwth snakes, from bites to wildlife endangerment. All managements recommendations are based on the latest ecological, behavioral, and sensory information. The importance of natural history in differentiating management programs for snakes is emphasized.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 18:15 )

W. John Richardson, Jr., Charles R. Greene, Charles I. Malme, Denis H. Thomson.   1998. Marine Mammals and Noise

The disturbance, masking, and (potentially) injurious effects of underwater sounds on marine mammals have gained much attention in recent years. This book reviews acoustic concepts and terminology, measurement procedures, propagation, ambient noise, and man-made noise. The emphasis is on underwater sound but airborne sound receives some attention. The book also summarizes available data (as of 1995), published and "gray literature", on marine mammal calls, hearing, and disturbance reactions. Methods for categorizing and estimating the likely radii of influence are described with examples, the probable significance of various types of responses and impacts is discussed, and data needs are identified.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 21:29 )

Stephan Reebs.   2001. Fish Behavior in the Aquarium and in the Wild (Comstock Books)

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-03 23:12 )

Frederick R. Prete, Harrington Wells, Patrick H. Wells, Lawrence E. Hurd.   1999. The Praying Mantids

"The Praying Mantids" brings together all that is currently known about mantid taxonomy, ecology, reproduction, sensory systems, and behavior (including flight, prey capture, defense, and the hierarchical organization of their behavioral repertoires). Each of the chapters reflect the strong personal stamp and intellectual commitment of the contributors, who have each done pioneering work in mantid research. Many of the selections present ground-breaking data on topics not previously explored. The text is enhanced by numerous illustrations, including a gallery of color images, and a final section of the book covers information on rearing and breeding techniques. The foreword is written by Professor John Alcock.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 20:00 )

R.A. Powell, J.W. Zimmerman, D. Erran Seaman, C. Powell.   1996. Ecology and Behaviour of North American Black Bears: Home Ranges, Habitat and Social Organization (Chapman & Hall Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour Series, 4)

What main factors affect mammalian home range size and dynamics? To what extent do constraints on home range characteristics vary between the sexes? This book aims to address these issues by concentrating the authors' expertise and experience in studies of home ranges in general and focusing on their studies of black bears of the Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, in particular. The authors provide an overview of the black bears and methods for their study before discussing concepts of home range, developing predictive models of habitat quality, addressing influences of food production on social organization and exploring the mating behaviour of male bears.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 17:05 )

Irene Maxine Pepperberg.   2002. The Alex Studies: Cognitive and Communicative Abilities of Grey Parrots

This book constitutes a synthesis of twenty years of experiments on the cognitive and communicative abilities of grey parrots.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 07:06 )

Jack A. Palmer, Linda K. Palmer.   2001. Evolutionary Psychology: The Ultimate Origins of Human Behavior

Drawing evidence from an array of disciplines including paleontology, anthropology, comparative psychology, and cognitive neuroscience, Evolutionary Psychology: The Ultimate Origins of Human Behavior explains how certain patterns of human behavior developed over time in order to insure survival and reproduction. Human behavioral tendencies are the result of both environmental selective pressures and sexual selection. Moreover, in order to explain human behavior in a holistic way the text weaves evolutionary explanations into a framework that incorporates ontogeny and physiological mechanisms, as well as immediate causation. It reviews how evolutionary psychology explains and predicts human behavior in a variety of contexts such as mate selection and striving for higher social status. Primary topics addressed are human origins, evolution of the brain and mind, language, mating, development, social behavior, tool use, art, and the challenges of adjusting our evolved psychological tendencies to the modern environment.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 11:59 )

Mauricio R. Papini.   2001. Comparative Psychology: Evolution and Development of Behavior

This introduction to the evolutionary and developmental principles underlying the study of animal behavior provides a broad view of behavior from the comparative psychology perspective. The author discusses all aspects of the subject-including comparative learning and cognition, brain evolution and behavior, primate evolution, behavior genetics, behavioral ecology, social behavior in an ecological context, early experience and development, and the ontogeny of social behavior. Emphasizing problems and research interests that have traditional relevance for psychologists, the text uses examples drawn from specialized journals to provide a firm grasp of evolutionary science as it is applied to the understanding of behavior.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 10:12 )

Marc Bekoff.   2004. Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior (3 Vol. Set)

“Bekoff's encyclopedia is a tremendous achievement, rivaled only by Bernhard Grzimek's Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Ethology (CH, Mar'78), the last attempt to publish an encyclopedia of this scope....Scope goes beyond the traditional umbrella of behavioral ecology and sociobiology to include extensive coverage of such topics as animal welfare, animal conservation, and careers in animal behavior. This will be the standard reference for years to come. Essential. All college and university libraries.”–Choice “Not since Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Ethology (1977), which is still in print, has such an authoritative and comprehensive encyclopedia on the subject been attempted....[t]his work will no doubt become the standard reference book on the subject. Strongly recommended for all academic collections and larger public libraries. This endlessly fascinating set is a seminal work in its field.”–Library Journal

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 21:33 )

Arun Srivastava.   1999. Primates of Northeast India

This book is intended as a popular guide describing the status, distribution, ecology, behavior, and conservation of primates of northeast India. Therefore the chief objective is to provide a means for the layperson to become acquainted with the primates and their habitats and thus foster an interest in wildlife and their conservation.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 21:51 )

Sara J. Shettleworth.   1998. Cognition, Evolution, and Behavior

How do animals perceive the world, learn, remember, search for food or mates, and find their way around? Do any nonhuman animals count, imitate one another, use a language or think as we do? What use is cognition in nature and how might it have evolved? Historically, research on such questions has been fragmented. Psychologists have contributed theoretical models and experiments on learning by studying a few species in the laboratory. Biologists have contributed insights about the evolution and the adaptive use of perception, learning, and decision making by studying numerous different species in nature. Cognition, Evolution, and Behavior integrates findings from psychology, behavioral ecology, and ethology in a wide-ranging synthesis of theory and research on animal cognition in the broadest sense, from species-specific adaptations of vision in fish and cognitive mapping in rats and honey bees to theory of mind in chimpanzees. As a major contribution to an emerging interdisciplinary science of comparative cognition, this work will be an essential resource for all students and researchers in psychology, zoology, behavioral neuroscience and the cognitive sciences more generally who are concerned with how animals -- including humans -- process, retain, and use information as they do.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 13:08 )

George B. Schaller.   2000. Wildlife of the Tibetan Steppe

The Chang Tang, the vast, remote Tibetan steppe, is home to a unique assemblage of large mammals, including Tibetan antelope, gazelle, argali sheep, wild ass, wild yak, wolves, snow leopards, and others. Since 1985, George B. Schaller and his Chinese and Tibetan co-workers have surveyed the flora and fauna of the Chang Tang. Their research provides the first detailed look at the natural history of one of the world's least known ecosystems. The plains ungulates are the main focus of this book--especially the Tibetan antelope, or `chiru', whose migrations define this ecosystem much as those of the wildebeest define the Serengeti. Schaller's descriptions of mammal numbers and distribution, behavior, and ecology provide baseline information that may allow wildlife, grasslands, and pastoralists to continue to coexist harmoniously in this region. This project led to the creation of the 130,000-square-mile Chang Tang Reserve by the Tibetan government in 1993, and Wildlife of the Tibetan Steppe should help promote future studies as well as conservation and management efforts.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 06:40 )

Fred Punzo.   2000. Desert Arthropods: Life History Variations (Adaptations of Desert Organisms)

This book provides an in-depth account of the life cycles, life history traits, and behavior of the major taxonomic groups of desert arthropods. Topics covered include an overview of life history theory, major adaptations of desert arthropods, embryonic and post-embryonic development, reproduction, and aspects of behavioral ecology (courtship and mating, behavioral plasticity, aggression, territoriality, sexual cannibalism, and predatory/feeding behavior).

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 21:43 )

Randy J. Nelson.   2005. Biology of Aggression

With recent advances in pharmacology and genetic manipulation techniques, new interest has developed in the biological mechanisms of both non-human and human aggression. Although aggression is certainly a complex social behavior with multiple causes, molecular biological factors should not be overlooked, as they may well lead to interventions that prevent excess aggressive behaviors. The primary goal of this book is to summarize and synthesize recent advances in the biological study of aggression. As most aggressive encounters among human and non-human animals represent a male proclivity, the research in this book describes and discusses studies using the most appropriate murine model: testosterone-dependent offensive inter-male aggression, which is typically measured in resident-intruder or isolation-induced aggression tests. The research also emphasizes various molecules that have been linked to aggression tests. Although the evidence continues to point to androgens and serotonin (5-HT) as major hormonal and neurotransmitter factors in aggressive behavior, recent work with GABA, dopamine, vasopressin, and other factors, such as nitric oxide, has revealed significant interactions with the neural circuitry underlying aggression. This book is organized according to levels of analysis. The first section examines the genetic contributions to aggression in species ranging from crustaceans to humans. The section summarizes the involvement of various neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in aggressive behavior. The third section summarizes the influence of hormones on aggression, primarily in humans. All chapters emphasize future directions for research on aggression and reveal important domains that have received comparatively less attention in this literature.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-29 09:35 )

Steve Jenkins.   2001. Slap, Squeak and Scatter: How Animals Communicate

Review by Dr. Paul V. Switzer, Eastern Illinois University: Slap, Squeak, and Scatter teaches readers about the many methods and functions of animal communication. Topics include communication for raising alarm, agonistic behavior and territoriality, mating behavior, group cohesion, and foraging, and cover over 20 different species of animals, from insects to mammals. By far the most striking features of Jenkins' book are the illustrations: unique illustrations of animals that were originally done as paper collages. These illustrations give the book a tremendous amount of visual interest. The clearly-written descriptions of the behaviors, although not as engaging as in some children's books, provide information on how the animals communicate and what information the animal signals may contain. Children liked the images; some of the older ones (4th-5th grade) stated that they would have liked to have more information in the descriptions. But these descriptions, in combination with the striking artwork (which our adult readers especially liked), should stimulate children's curiosity about animals and their behavior.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 15:55 )

Sara Swan Miller, Rick Chrustowski.   2001. Will You Sting Me? Will You Bite?: The Truth About Some Scary-Looking Insects (Miller, Sara Swan. Curious Little Critters Series.)

Review by Dr. Abby L. Schwarz, Langara College: This lively and engaging book shows children which insects should be left alone, which ones pose no threat to people, and how to tell the difference. The author discusses 12 different insects, from dragonflies to mosquitoes. She presents a considerable amount of natural history in clear, simple prose that children can easily absorb. Short, humorous poems end each chapter. The illustrations by Rick Chrustowski are clear, colorful and accurate. Adult reviewers liked the combination of behavior and function and found the writing and illustrations great. Children liked its poetry, pictures and information.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 12:19 )

Diane Swanson.   2001. Up Close: Headgear That Hides and Plays

Review by Dr. Paul V. Switzer, Eastern Illinois University: Headgear that Hides and Plays is one of a series of quality animal books by author Diane Swanson. In Headgear, readers are introduced to the many functions of elaborate structures that animals may have on their heads. Wonderful, close up photographs of animals are combined with brief descriptions of the use of the headgear. Other descriptions accompany smaller, cartoon drawings of animals using their headgear. In all, the book covers over 50 animals in an informative, yet entertaining and easy to read style. Topics include "Competing Headgear", "Hiding Headgear", "Feeding Headgear", "Courting Headgear", "Defending Headgear", and "Playing Headgear". As an example, in "Feeding Headgear", readers are presented with anglerfish, frogfish, tube worms, and sea anemones. Sea anemones are described to "...shove food into their mouths whole, then spit up whatever they can't digest...tentacles….are great for battling other groups [of anemones]. The anemones beat one another with their stinging cells." Our adult readers liked Headgear's style, pictures and readability, and children reviewers praised Headgear for its pictures and its information.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 15:55 )

Gay Holland.   2003. Look Closer:An Intro Bug Watch

Review by Dr. Sue W. Margulis, Brookfield Zoo: Look Closer: An Introduction to Bug-Watching takes readers through a magnifying glass to examine the fascinating insect life found all around us. Wonderful illustrations blend with informative text to entice even the most reluctant budding naturalist to peer under the leaf litter, into a flower, or through a cat's fur. Although some children had difficulty getting past their bug phobias, most were excited by how fascinating insects could be, others enjoyed the beautiful illustrations of flowers. One child called this his favorite book because of so many pretty pictures and lots of details. Gay Holland's illustrations, and the captivating use of a magnifying glass makes this a delightful book for children of all ages, and indeed entices them to "look closer."

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 14:56 )

Marilyn Baillie, Romi Caron.   2003. Amazing Things Animals Do

Review by: Dr. Abby L. Schwarz, Langara College: Amazing Things Animals Do, the RECIPIENT OF THE 2004 OUTSTANDING CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD from the Animal Behavior Society, discusses four aspects of animal behavior: helpful interactions, babies and family life, hiding and saving food, and communication. A "Who's who" at the end contains supplementary paragraphs on each species discussed. The information is fascinating, accurate and up-to-date, and Ms. Baillie's writing style is flowing, appealing and accessible. Children liked the variety and the "who's who" portion. One child commented,"I didn't know animals could do so much cool things! And I understand it!"

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 14:56 )

JeffreyM.Black.   2007. Wild Goose Dilemmas

A culmination of over 25 years of barnacle goose research, with old highlights and new and exciting findings. This book is about an amazing array of individual characteristics that exist in barnacle goose societies - characteristics that yield different abilities when surviving breeding attempts and long migrations. Describing their many qualities and attributes, from mate choices to habitat preferences, the authors provide insight into the rich lives of these social animals. Wild geese face one dilemma after another regarding ways and means for making ends meet. The story line focuses on two populations. One has recovered from its once threatened status and the other is equally remarkable, having abandoned an arctic lifestyle in favour of southern nesting areas. Available in North America ($35 + p&p) via online shopping at the HSU Bookstore (http://www.hsubookstore.com/ then choose General Books, Campus, Wild Goose Dilemmas) and in Europe via info@brantapress.nl Highlights from recent book review: 'The temporal and geographic scales described in this book are truly amazing. Unique among life-history studies, the authors tie variation in life-history strategies back to foraging ability and nutrient intake. I am unaware of another study that has attempted such a comprehensive analysis of a wild species. The book provides detailed underpinnings for behavioral and life-history strategies, natural selection and individuals' environments. I enjoyed this book thoroughly and highly recommend this delightful and stimulating work.' Jim Sedinger, ISBE Newsletter (2007) 19:15-16.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 17:16 )

Kevin M. O'Neill.   2001. Solitary Wasps: Behavior and Natural History (Cornell Series in Arthropod Biology)

While social wasps like hornets and yellow jackets garner the publicity (most of it negative), the vast majority of wasps, including digger wasps, spider wasps, mud-daubers, velvet ants, and cuckoo wasps, are solitary. Solitary wasps have long fascinated natural historians and scientists, such as Jean Henri Fabre, Niko Tinbergen, Howard Ensign Evans, and John Alcock. Each adult female solitary wasp forages alone, and if she builds a nest, it is occupied solely by herself and her offspring. Females use their stings mainly for hunting, rather than for defense, and exhibit a wide range of foraging and parental behaviors. Male mating strategies include nuptial feeding, scramble competition, and various forms of territoriality, including hilltopping. The book provides the first general survey of the behavior of solitary wasps in more than 25 years, providing information on foraging and nesting behaviors, mating and parental strategies, cleptoparasitism, thermoregulation, natural enemies, defensive strategies, and the role of solitary wasps in studies of the evolution of social behavior.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 15:56 )

Janice Moore.   2002. Parasites and the Behavior of Animals (Oxford Series in Ecology and Evolution)

When a parasite invades an ant, does the ant behave like other ants? Maybe not--and if it doesn't, who benefits from the altered behaviors? The parasite? The ant? Parasites and the Behavior of Animals shows that parasite-induced behavioral alterations are more common than we might realize, and it places these alterations in an evolutionary and ecological context. Emphasizing eukaryotic parasites, the book examines the adaptive nature of behavioral changes associated with parasitism, exploring the effects of these changes on parasite transmission, parasite avoidance, and the fitness of both host and parasite.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 15:56 )

Timothy A. Mousseau, Charles W. Fox.   1998. Maternal Effects As Adaptations

This book explores the wide variety of maternal effects that have evolved in plants and animals as mechanisms of adaptation to temporally and spatially heterogeneous environments. Topics range from the evolutionary implications of maternal effects to the assessment and measurement of maternal effects.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 11:54 )

Charles D. Michener.   2000. The Bees of the World

Although primarily on bee systematics, this book contains sections that review social relationships, floral relationships, nests and food storage, parasitic behavior, etc. Scattered throughout the systematics sections are also notations on behavioral characteristics of many groups of bees.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 16:00 )

Mike Mesterton-Gibbons.   2000. An Introduction to Game-Theoretic Modelling (Student Mathematical Library, Vol. 11) (Student Mathematical Library, V. 11)

An introduction to both cooperative and noncooperative games from the perspective of a mathematical modeller. It deals in a unified manner with the central concepts of both classical and evolutionary game theory, and includes numerous applications of population games to the study of animal behavior.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 16:44 )

Sue McDonnell.   2003. The Equid Ethogram: A Practical Field Guide to Horse Behavior

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-04 16:34 )

Janet Mann, Richard C. Connor, Peter L. Tyack, Hal Whitehead.   2000. Cetacean Societies: Field Studies of Dolphins and Whales

Long-lived, slow to reproduce, and often hidden beneath the water's surface, whales and dolphins (cetaceans) have remained elusive subjects for scientific study even though they have fascinated humans for centuries. Until recently, much of what we knew about cetaceans came from commercial sources such as whalers and trainers for dolphin acts. Innovative research methods and persistent efforts, however, have begun to penetrate the depths to reveal tantalizing glimpses of the lives of these mammals in their natural habitats. Cetacean Societies presents the first comprehensive synthesis and review of these new studies. Groups of chapters focus on the history of cetacean behavioral research and methodology; state-of-the-art reviews of information on four of the most-studied species: bottlenose dolphins, killer whales, sperm whales, and humpback whales; and summaries of major topics, including group living, male and female reproductive strategies, communication, and conservation drawn from comparative research on a wide range of species. Written by some of the world's leading cetacean scientists, this landmark volume will benefit not just students of cetology but also researchers in other areas of behavioral and conservation ecology as well as anyone with a serious interest in the world of whales and dolphins. Contributors are Robin Baird, Phillip Clapham, Jenny Christal, Richard Connor, Janet Mann, Andrew Read, Randall Reeves, Amy Samuels, Peter Tyack, Linda Weilgart, Hal Whitehead, Randall S. Wells, and Richard Wrangham.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 16:00 )

Filippo Aureli, Jo-Anne Bachorowski, Michael J. Beran, Jesse M. Bering, Josep Call, Claudio Cantalupo, Lynn A. Fairbanks, Samuel D. Gosling, Franklynn C. Graves, Rebecca A. Herman.   2005. Primate Psychology

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-03 21:31 )

Dale F. Lott, Harry W. Greene.   2003. American Bison: A Natural History (Organisms and Environments, 6)

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-04-04 10:07 )

Philip N. Lehner.   1996. Handbook of Ethological Methods

At first glance, studying behavior is easy, but as every budding ethologist quickly realizes, there are a host of complex practical, methodological and analytical problems to solve before designing and conducting the study. This new expanded edition of the Handbook of Ethological Methods, provides a complete, step-by-step introduction to ethological methods from topic choice and behavioral description to data collection and statistical analysis.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 15:58 )

Kevin N. Laland, Gillian Brown.   2002. Sense and Nonsense: Evolutionary Perspectives on Human Behaviour

Evolutionary theory is one of the most wide-ranging and inspiring of scientific ideas. It offers a battery of methods that can be used to help us understand human behaviour. Nevertheless the legitimacy of this exercise is at the centre of a heated controversy that has raged for over a century. Many evolutionary biologists, anthropologists and psychologists have taken these evolutionary principles and tried using them to explain a wide range of human characteristics, such as homicide, religion and sex differences in behaviour. Others, however, are sceptical of these interpretations. Moreover, researchers disagree as to the best ways to use evolution to explore humanity, and a number of schools have emerged. Sense and Nonsense provides an introduction to the ideas, methods and findings of five such schools, namely, sociobiology, human behavioural ecology, evolutionary psychology, memes, and gene-culture co-evolution. Carefully guiding the reader through the mire of confusing terminology, claim and counter-claim, and polemical statements, Laland and Brown provide a balanced, rigorous analysis that scrutinizes both the evolutionary arguments and the allegations of the critics. This is a book that will make fascinating reading for popular science readers, undergraduate and postgraduate students (for example, in psychology, anthropology and zoology), to experts on one approach who would like to know more about the other perspectives, and to lay-persons interested in evolutionary explanations of human behaviour. Having read this book the reader will feel better placed to assess the legitimacy of claims made about human behaviour under the name of evolution, and to make judgements as to what is sense and what is nonsense.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 12:19 )

Anne Houde.   1997. Sex, Color, and Mate Choice in Guppies

This book describes the sexual behavior of guppies and examines how mate choice by females leads to the evolution of the conspicuous colors and the courtship displays for which guppies are widely recognized. The author shows that female guppies prefer males with bright color patterns, especially those with orange spots, and that the mating preferences of females lead to sexual selection on both color patterns and courtship displays of males. Houde's work addresses a number of areas that are of interest in sexual selection including the remarkable degree of plasticity and evolutionary lability of sexual behavior in guppies, geographic variation in mating preferences, possible mechanisms for the evolution of female mating preferences, and the role of sexual selection in speciation. In conclusion, the author explores the implications of her findings for behavioral ecologists who study sexual selection in other species.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 12:24 )

Steven L. Hopp, Michael J. Owren, Christopher Stuart Evans, C.s. Evans.   1998. Animal Acoustic Communication: Sound Analysis and Research Methods

The field of animal acoustic communication has experienced exciting growth in recent years as techniques borrowed from many scientific disciplines have been applied in new ways. For a modern, integrated approach to research in comparative bioacoustics, researchers need access to a wealth of technical and methodological information. This edited volume answers that need. Serving as a handbook of research techniques, Animal Acoustic Communication offers a comprehensive outline of a wide variety of topics: several chapters address analysis of sound, covering the A to Z of analog and digital signals; other chapters discuss techniques and findings in signal production, transmission of signals through air and water, infrasonic and ultrasonic communication, and neuroendocrine involvement in bioacoustics. The book discusses the comparative application of methods derived from human speech research, and offers comprehensive coverage of field and laboratory techniques for understanding animal perception and responses to sound communication. Animal Acoustic Communication not only provides researchers with an update on the most recent techniques, but also offers in a single volume an overview of all aspects of this field of study. Its consistent, readable style makes this volume an accessible handbook for students and a valuable resource for more established researchers.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 15:58 )

Geoffrey E. Hill.   2002. A Red Bird in a Brown Bag: The Function and Evolution of Colorful Plumage in the House Finch (Oxford Ornithology Series)

The House Finch is among the most mundane birds, so ubiquitous and familiar across the US and Canada that it does not rate a glance from most bird enthusiasts. But males have carotenoid-based plumage coloration that varies markedly among individuals, making the House Finch a model species for studies of the function and evolution of colorful plumage. In more depth and detail than has been attempted for any species of bird, Hill takes the reader on tour of the hows and whys of ornamental plumage coloration. Hill begins by reviewing the history of the study of colorful plumage, which began in earnest with the debates of Darwin and Wallace but which was largely forgotten by the middle of the twentieth century. He then documents the extensive plumage variation among males both within and between populations of House Finches, explores the mechanisms behind plumage variation, and looks at the fitness consequences of condition-dependent ornament display for both males and females. He concludes with an examination of the processes by which carotenoid-based ornamental coloration may have evolved. Through it all, Hill provides a personal view of the triumphs and hardships of field biology in the suburbs.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 12:24 )

Jack P. Hailman, Karen B. Strier.   2006. Planning, Proposing and Presenting Science Effectively: A Guide for Graduate Students and Researchers in the Behavioral Sciences and Biology

A guide for graduate students and researchers in the behavioral sciences and biology. Covers scientific methodology and research planning, writing proposals including grant requests, writing journal manuscripts and other reports, presenting research in departmental colloquia and at scientific meetings, and how to write a curriculum vitae. There are appendicies on writing clearly and how to contact funding agencies in the U.S. "Throughout, the book is illuminated with personal examples from the authors' own experiences with research in behavioral ecology, and there is a strong emphasis on problems associated with field studies".

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 15:56 )

Gary Greenberg, Maury M. Haraway.   2001. Principles of Comparative Psychology

Drawing on a rich historical tradition, Principles of Comparative Psychology looks to the future of the discipline in the 21st century. The authors have conceived this field broadly, as the study of origins of all behavior, while utilizing a developmental perspective in which behavior is understood to be the result of a fusion of biological and psychosocial factors. Particular recognition is given to some of the unique problems of the discipline in carrying out a careful application of the scientific method to its chosen subject matter of mind and behavior.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 13:37 )

Jean-Guy J. Godin.   1999. Behavioural Ecology of Teleost Fishes

Behavioural Ecology of Teleost Fishes reviews the latest advances in knowledge of behavioural adaptations for survival and reproduction in fishes. The book focuses on behavioural strategies and tactics of habitat selection and space use, foraging, predator avoidance and evasion, and reproduction. It proposes new directions and approaches for future research, and also considers the impact of individual behaviour on population and community ecology. The text will benefit all those with a general interest in behavioural ecology, especially students, teachers, and researchers interested in the behaviour and ecology of fishes. It will also be a valuable reference source for biologists, aquaculturists, and conservationists.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 12:24 )

Raghavendra Gadagkar.   1998. Survival Strategies: Cooperation and Conflict in Animal Societies

Only in recent years have biologists and ethologists begun to apply careful evolutionary thinking to the study of animal societies -- and with spectacular results. This book presents the choicest of these findings, with a remarkable wealth of insights into the myriad strategies that animals have developed to perpetuate their kind. In an irresistible style, Dr. Gadagkar explores the strategies of cooperation and conflict adopted by animals as they choose mates, raise their young, communicate with others, and establish the division of labor necessary to feed and protect the group and safeguard their territory. Why creatures great and small behave in such fascinating and seemingly perplexing ways is explained in this delightful account of the evolutionary foundations of animal social behavior. Whether focusing on the birds or the bees, this book offers both superb descriptions and lucid explanations of many different behaviors encountered in the animal world.

added to list by Laura K. Sirot :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 11:35 )

Larissa Swedell, Steven R. Leigh.   2006. Reproduction and Fitness in Baboons: Behavioral, Ecological, and Life History Perspectives (Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects)

This volume brings together current research on the behavior, ecology, reproduction, and life history of baboons of the genus Papio. Baboons represent one of the best-known primate lineages, renowned for their ecological and behavioral flexibility and adaptability. These characteristics are intimately intertwined with features of baboon life history and reproduction. Contributors to this volume, representing several major, long-term research projects from throughout the African continent, explore reproductive behavior and strategies of adult male and female baboons in a variety of ways. These lines of inquiry together forge new ways to investigate the life periods that matter most in evolution.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 12:24 )

Larissa Swedell.   2005. Strategies of Sex and Survival Hamadryas Baboons: Through a Female Lens (Primate Field Studies)

This book summarizes recent research on the behavior and ecology of hamadryas baboons in Ethiopia. Unlike previous syntheses of research on this species, this study focuses on females and their contribution to hamadryas social organization. This book counters the male-biased view of hamadryas baboon behavior that has persisted over the decades, suggesting that female behavior contributes more to hamadryas social organization than has previously been assumed, and that females may, in fact, be acting in their own best interests after all.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 15:56 )

Marilyn Singer, Anne Wertheim.   2001. A Pair of Wings

Review by Dr. Abby L. Schwarz, Langara College: This book, the 2001-2002 AWARD RECIPIENT, looks at the great variety of wings and their equally varied uses. Children learn that wings are not just for flying but for communication, swimming, and even climbing. Clear explanations of morphology accompany equally clear descriptions of function and behavior, as in the examples of the albatross' ability to glide effortlessly over the sea and the aerial acrobatics of swifts and swallows. Even bats get some nice "press." One child said that whereas he had been afraid of bats before, he was more interested in them after reading this book. Anne Wertheim has contributed beautiful, accurate and vividly detailed illustrations and there is a nice glossary at the end. Adult reviewers praised its information, style and illustrations. Children praised the high information content, and several said it made them curious to learn more about wings and about animal activities.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 15:55 )

Margaret Carney, Melanie Watt.   2002. Where Does a Tiger-Heron Spend the Night?

Review by Dr. Becky Talyn, UC Riverside and Cal State San Bernardino: Rhyming lyrics and detailed illustrations make Where Does a Tiger-Heron Spend the Night a delightful bedtime story, especially for young children. Each page asks a clever question about a particular type of bird; then when you open the flap, an interesting tidbit of behavior is revealed in answer. Children who reviewed Tiger-Heron particularly liked seeing the habitats of the birds in the illustrations, the scenes reveled by opening the pages, and learning more about birds. Older children also liked the last page of the book, which provides more information about each of the twelve bird species that appeared earlier in the book, and younger children enjoyed the question and answer rhyming.

added to list by Shan D. Duncan :: ( last modified 2008-03-28 15:55 )