Models of Adaptive Behaviour
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.
- Authors are leading lights in this rapidly expanding field
- Provides background into subject and pointers for future research
Reviews & endorsements
'I think this book will define a benchmark in behavioural ecology … This book deserves to be read (and reread) by a wide audience of scientists.' Animal Behaviour
Product details
October 1999Hardback
9780521384803
390 pages
236 × 156 × 29 mm
0.74kg
45 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgements
- 1. Introduction
- 2. States, actions and tradeoffs
- 3. Dynamic optimization
- 4. Maximizing the energy gained from foraging
- 5. Risk-sensitive foraging
- 6. The energy-predation trade-off
- 7. Dynamic games
- 8. State-dependent life history theory
- 9. Routines
- 10. Life histories in fluctuating environments
- References
- Index.