Animal Behavior

Animal Behavior

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A guide to the hows and whys of animals interacting with each other and with the world around them.

A Free Online Textbook

Contributors

Notes to Contributors

Textbook cover

This textbook explores the mechanisms and evolution of animal behavior, including neural, hormonal, and genetic substrates of behavior; foraging; anti-predator defenses; mating systems and sexual selection; social behavior; communication; parental care; kin selection and recognition; and territoriality. Associated laboratory exercises will provide hands-on experience for many of these concepts.

Contents

Chapter 1. History, Aims and Approaches

• Definition of Animal Behavior
• Aims of Animal Behavior
• History of Animal Behavior
• Scientific Method in Animal Behavior

Chapter 2. Development, Learning and Genetics

• Nature v Nurture
• Development/Maturation

• Human Cognitive Development

• Learning and Memory
• Behavioral Genetics

Chapter 3. Proximate Mechanisms of Behavior

• Neuroscience
• Sensory Biology
• Neural Orchestration of Motor Responses
• Behavioral Endocrinology
• Biological Rhythms

Chapter 4. Functional Significance of Behavior

• Evolution
• Mating Systems
• Population Genetics
• Modeling Behavior
• Altruism and Sociality
• Coevolution

Chapter 5. Phylogeny, and Behavior

• Darwin's Finches

Chapter 6. Behavior Case Studies

• Communication Systems

• Bird Song
• Human Language
• The Parallels between Bird Song and Human Language Learning

• Spatial Distributions

• Habitat Use
• Orienting, Navigation, Migration
• Territoriality

• Mating Systems

• Brood Parastism

• other

• Army Ants
• Honeybee Foraging Behavior
• Penguins
  • Penguin Loving
• Sea Turtles
  • Sea Turtle Nesting Behavior

Chapter 7. Comparative Human Behavior

• Human Evolution