Animal behavior : how and why animals do the things they do /

Animal Behavior: How and Why Animals Do the Things They Do is an apt title for this three-volume set, edited by zoologist Yasukawa (Beloit College). The 54 contributing authors are a distinguished group of active researchers who have studied the behavior of a multitude of animals from many different perspectives. Each volume contains 12 chapters and a glossary. Volume 1 begins with chapters on the scientific investigation of animal behavior by Yasukawa and historical aspects of animal behavior by Lee Drickamer. This is followed by contributions that focus on proximate causation, such as how genetics, neural systems, hormones, and development influence behavior. Rounding out the first volume are chapters on the importance of biological clocks and how animals orient themselves, especially during navigation and long-distance migrations. Volume 2 covers a range of behaviors such as foraging, predation/antipredator behavior, communication, aggression, and mating. Sexual selection and ornament and armament evolution receive special attention, as does how kinship and altruism affect the evolution of social groups. Finally, volume 3 presents a dozen case studies that illustrate specific examples of behavior and appropriately concludes with a chapter on human mate preferences. All chapters are readily accessible to undergraduates, with key words and phrases in bold italics. They are also well referenced and include additional readings for those who want to explore each topic further. A notable strength of the entire collection is that the contributors try to explain not just what is currently understood about their topic, but also why they are interested in it and how they go about asking and answering the questions they raise. This set should be part of all academic libraries. --Frank T. Kuserk, Moravian College