You may have to Search all our reviewed books and magazines, click the sign up button below to create a free account.
This volume explores from several viewpoints the relationship between Darwinian evolution and the theory of rational choice.
The sixth volume in this respected series systematically presents and evaluates quantitative models of various foraging phenomena, including: steady state decision rules; acquisition of decision rules; perception and learning in foraging behavior.
Explores evidence that suggests whether selfishness and individuality are subjective biological traits, examining social behaviors that relate to sex, gender, and family, and discussing an alternative evolutionary theory called "social selection" that focuses on cooperation.
As we assume the editorship of Current Ornithology, it seems useful to review the objectives of the series. We cannot improve on the state ments of our predecessors when they began their service as editors. In his preface to Volume 1 (1983), Richard F. Johnston wrote: The appearance of the first volume of a projected series is the occasion for comment on scope, aims, and genesis of the work. The scope of Current Or nithology is all of the biology of birds. Ornithology, as a whole-organism sci ence, is concerned with birds at every level of biological organization, from the molecular to the community, at least from the Jurassic to the present time, and over every scholarly discipline in which...
Recent research has emphasized that socially transmitted information may affect both the gene pool and the phenotypes of individuals and populations, and that an improved understanding of evolutionary issues is beneficial to those working towards the improvement of human health. In response to a growing interest across disciplines for information regarding the contribution of social behavior to a range of biological outcomes, Social Information Transmission and Human Biology connects the work of evolutionary theorists and those dealing with practical issues in human health and demographics. Combining evolutionary models with biomedical research, authors from various disciplines look at how human behavior influences health, and how reproductive fitness sheds light on the processes that shaped the evolution of human behavior. Both academic and medical researchers will find much useful insight in this text.
Models of Adaptive Behaviour sets out a framework for adaptive explanations of behaviour, and applies this to give analyses of a range of biological issues such as energetic gain, energy-predation trade-offs, dynamic games, state-dependent life histories, annual routines and fluctuating environments. It gives a definitive account of this exciting field, summarizing previous research, presenting material and suggesting directions for research. Organisms differ in terms of their state - for example in their size, energy relations or temperature - which often affects their behaviour. The framework adopted in this book takes this into account, and provides a common currency for comparing diverse actions. Ultimately this could lead to the development of state-dependent dynamic models. This book will be a revelation for graduate students and researchers interested in behavioural or evolutionary biology.
Behavioural Mechanisms of Food Selection examines animals belonging to diverse trophic groups, from carnivores, herbivores, micro-algal grazers, to filter-feeders and detritus-feeders. In the past Optimal Foraging Theory has been applied to all these groups, but in different ways and in disci plines that rarely overlap. Here concepts and developments hitherto scattered in the literature are drawn together. This uniquely broad synthesis captures the state of the art in the study of diet selection and prescribes new objectives in theoretical development and research.
In the early years of this century a Scottish doctor speculated on the evolutionary origin of human tears. It seemed to him that with the increase in brain size and cognitive powers of our early ancestors many events in the struggle for existence would be just too distressing to observe. How comforting then, for the mother, distraught by the sight of her child being devoured by a lion, to cloud her vision with a flood of tears! Just so, though if the good doctor had pondered further, the following picture might have occurred to him, comfortable in his speculative armchair, and given him some pause for thought. ~ ~. e , ~ ~ ~' I " . . ~. . - . . . . . ~ VII viii SERIES EDITOR'S FOREWORD These...
None
All animals feed selectively. This book examines the selectivity of feeding from a variety of viewpoints. It examines the viewpoint of the behavioural ecologist that considers decision rules, the dietitian that looks at nutritional problems, and the community ecologist that sees feeding as a factor influencing species diversity. The text brings these diverse disciplines together to produce a coherent view of the way in which organisms 'choose' their diet. Optimal foraging theory has brought the study of foraging behaviour, particularly diet selection to a point where physiological, nutritional, psychological, morphological and ecological factors can begin to be addressed in a coherent fashion. This book is not another exposition of optimal foraging theory, but it does draw on the applications and limitations of the theory to demonstrate the great potential for the development of diet selection as an interdisciplinary subject. Authoritative synthesis of the latest thinking in optimal foraging and feeding theory. Adopts, for the first time, a truly interdisciplinary approach to diet selection. Authored by experts from each of the contributing fields.