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Sensory Ecology, Behaviour, and Evolution


Sensory Ecology, Behaviour, and Evolution

Paperback by Stevens, Martin (Centre for Ecology & Conservation, University of Exeter)

Sensory Ecology, Behaviour, and Evolution

£60.00

ISBN:
9780199601783
Publication Date:
7 Feb 2013
Language:
English
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Pages:
260 pages
Format:
Paperback
For delivery:
Estimated despatch 24 - 29 May 2024
Sensory Ecology, Behaviour, and Evolution

Description

Throughout their lives animals must complete many tasks, including finding food, avoiding predators, attracting mates, and navigating through a complex and dynamic environment. Consequently, they have evolved a staggering array of sensory organs that are fundamental to survival and reproduction and shape much of their evolution and behaviour. Sensory ecology deals with how animals acquire, process, and use information in their lives, and the sensory systems involved. It investigates the type of information that is gathered by animals, how it is used in a range of behaviours, and the evolution of such traits. It deals with both mechanistic questions (e.g. how sensory receptors capture information from the environment, and how the physical attributes of the environment affect information transmission) and functional questions (e.g. the adaptive significance of the information used by the animal to make a decision). Recent research has dealt more explicitly with how sensory systems are involved with and even drive evolutionary change, including the formation of new species. Sensory Ecology, Behaviour, and Evolution provides a broad introduction to sensory ecology across a wide range of taxonomic groups, covering all the various sensory modalities (e.g. sound, visual, chemical, magnetic, and electric) relating to diverse areas spanning anti-predator strategies, foraging, mate choice, navigation and more, with the aim being to illustrate key principles and differences. This accessible textbook is suitable for senior undergraduates, graduate students, and professional academics taking courses or conducting research in sensory ecology/biology, neuroethology, behavioural and evolutionary ecology, communication, and signalling. It will also be of relevance and use to psychologists interested in sensory information and behaviour.

Contents

PART 1: INTRODUCTION; PART 2: SENSORY PROCESSING; PART 3: COMMUNICATION; PART 4: DIVERSIFICATION AND DIVERGENCE; PART 5: CONCLUSIONS

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