Geographic Variation in Behavior: Perspectives on Evolutionary Mechanisms [Hardcover]

Susan A. Foster (Editor), John A. Endler (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195082958 | ISBN-13: 978-0195082951 | Publication Date: March 4, 1999 | Edition: 1

Studies of animal behavior often assume that all members of a species exhibit the same behavior. Geographic Variation in Behavior shows that, on the contrary, there is substantional variation within species across a wide range of taxa. Including work from pioneers in the field, this volume provides a balanced overview of research on behavioral characteristics that vary geographically. The authors explore the mechanisms by which behavioral differences evolve and examine related methodological issues. Taken together, the work collected here demonstrates that genetically based geographic variation may be far more widespread than previously suspected. The book also shows how variation in behavior can illuminate both behavioral evolution and general evolutionary patterns. Unique among books on behavior in its emphasis on geographic variation, this volume is a valuable new resource for students and researchers in animal behavior and evolutionary biology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Traditional methods for studying animal behaviour usually compare variation between species. The behavioural characterization of species is typically based on single populations because ethologists assumed that behavioural patterns did not vary within species. However, recent studies on a diversity of behavioural traits in many animal groups suggest that geographical variation is common. . . . This book . . . explores some of the richness in phenomena, interpretations and problems that can arise in geographical studies of behaviour. . . . Geographic Variation in Behavior is an important contribution to the critical and growing interface between behaviour and evolution. . . . It is well presented and provides excellent reviews of pertinent literature, the illustrations are informative and concise, and the coverage of contemporary work is uniformly high. Researchers of animal behaviour and behavioural ecologists would do very well to sample this volume."--Animal Behaviour

About the Author

Susan A. Foster is at Clark University. John A. Endler is at James Cook University, Australia.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (March 4, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195082958
• ISBN-13: 978-0195082951
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,631,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)