This up-to-date review examines key areas of animal behaviour, including communication, cognition, conflict, cooperation, sexual selection and behavioural variation. Various tests are covered, including recent empirical examples.

The study of animal behaviour is one of the fastest growing sub-disciplines in biology. The resulting diversity of conceptual approaches and methodological innovations makes it increasingly difficult for professionals and students to keep abreast of important new developments. This edited volume provides up-to-date reviews that facilitate orientation in key areas of animal behaviour, including communication, cognition, conflict, cooperation, sexual selection and behavioural variation. The contributions address evolutionary and proximate aspects of behaviour and also cover both invertebrates and vertebrates. Important concepts are dealt with in separate glossaries and key examples highlighted in separate text boxes. Richly illustrated with colour figures, this volume offers a well structured overview of all the main developments in current animal behaviour research. It is ideal for teaching upper-level courses, where it will be essential reading for advanced students familiar with basic concepts and ideas.

From the reviews:

This is a well-organized volume about animal behaviour and behavioural ecology. The editor of this book, Dr. Peter Kappeler, is a prominent primate researcher who has edited several books that have had a strong impact on primate research. (...) I recommend this book to all students and researchers studying the behavioural ecology of primates.

Primates, 2010

"This work is a large, weighty, informative ? set of edited chapters on many aspects of animal behavior. Kappeler ? tried to unify the 21 chapters by asking authors to focus on mechanisms and evolution. ? All provide thorough reviews and formidable reference lists. ? Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students and above." (J. A. Mather, Choice, Vol. 48 (3), November, 2010)