Review by Choice Review
Punzo (Univ. of Tampa) has studied spiders for more than 30 years and has written books on desert arthropods (Desert Arthropods, CH, Jul'00, 37-6259) and camel spiders (Biology of Camel-Spiders, 1998). His broad experience and insight enrich this well-written, comprehensive volume. Early chapters on spider systematics and evolution are followed with discussions of morphology, physiology, development, and reproduction. A chapter on the nervous system, sense organs, and learning sets the stage for the final three chapters: "Locomotion, Prey Capture, and Antipredator Tactics," "Ecology," and "Social Spiders." Although Punzo's early research dealt with spider physiology, he has studied spider behavior and learning for the past 20 years, and the sections of the book dealing with these topics are particularly useful. Punzo provides an extensive bibliography; in a helpful glossary, he explains terms printed in boldface type. His straightforward writing style, avoidance of jargon, and limited use of acronyms makes the book very readable and eminently suitable for undergraduates or scientists with no background in invertebrate zoology. The book will appeal to anyone interested in this fascinating group of animals, but may be of particular interest to ecologists and to psychologists interested in learning, instinct, and behavior. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through faculty/researchers. M. J. O'Donnell McMaster University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review