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Animal Behavior: Concepts, Methods, and Applications uses a conceptual approach that puts the process of science and applications front and center.
Animal Behavior has garnered praise from reviewers for its accessibility, student engagement, and profound exploration of major concepts and empirical methods in animal behaviour. The goals of this text are to allow students to learn how knowledge about animal behaviour is generated and to promote an inquiry-based process. This approach helps students understand the research that illustrates major concepts in animal behaviour. Each chapter is built around four to six broad organizing concepts, emphasizing an in-depth exploration of carefully selected ideas, and offering students a clear learning progression and a solid framework for scaffolding their knowledge.
Each concept is illustrated using research from the primary literature, emphasizing the methods of the featured studies. This edition prominently features research from a diverse set of scientists, paying attention to gender equity, geographic diversity, and researchers from underrepresented groups. Incorporating scientists from a broad set of backgrounds demonstrates to students that there are scientists conducting animal behaviour research who may be just like them.
Preface
The Approach: Concepts, Methods, and Applications
Chapter 1. The Science and Methods of Animal Behavior
Chapter 2. Evolution and the Study of Animal Behavior
Chapter 3. Behavioral Genetics
Chapter 4. Sensory Systems and Behavior
Chapter 5. Communication
Chapter 6. Learning
Chapter 7. Animal Cognition
Chapter 8. Foraging Behavior
Chapter 9. Antipredator Behavior
Chapter 10. Dispersal and Migration
Chapter 11. Habitat Selection, Territoriality, and Aggression
Chapter 12. Mating Behavior
Chapter 13. Mating Systems
Chapter 14. Parental Care
Chapter 15. Sociality
Chapter 16. Cooperative Behavior
Glossary
Bibliography
Answers to Selected Critical Thinking and Discussion Questions
Answers to Scientific Process Box “Evaluate” Questions
Credits
Index
Shawn E. Nordell is Associate Director of Graduate Career Services at the University of Arizona. Previously she was Senior Associate Director at the Teaching Center at Washington University in St. Louis and Professor at Saint Louis University for 16 years. Her research focused on fish behavioural ecology, mate choice, and predator avoidance.
Thomas J. Valone is a Professor of Biology at Saint Louis University and Director of the Reis Biological Field Station. His research focuses on community ecology, conservation biology, and foraging behaviour.
Reviews of earlier editions:
"I'd describe this book as an innovative and thoughtful treatment of animal behavior with a strong emphasis on scientific inquiry to a level that is uncommon in most biology textbooks. Each experiment is described with enough detail that the students can really connect the science with the concept."
– Bryan Arnold, Illinois College
"Great at leading students through the scientific process, from experimental design to data interpretation. All concepts are anchored to real examples from the literature."
– Damien I. Elis, University of California – Berkeley
"It's a completely different way of presenting material to students – makes them see "science in action: and thus the concepts come alive, rather than appear as dull facts to be memorized. It's very well-written and engaging – students with even the slightest interest in the field will enjoy reading it! The focus on applications and current research is especially appealing and unique"
– Miles Engell, North Carolina State University
"Nordell & Valone's Animal Behavior highlights major concepts in the field in an easy to follow, organized manner. The details of contemporary research studies are used to emphasize the scientific process and to encourage students to make critical connections between empirical data and broader theoretical concepts"
– Dr. Christy Wolovich, Florida Southern College
