Abstract

The Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior has engaged with great success the efforts of many of the best behavioral biologists of the 21st century. Section editors drawn from the most accomplished behavioral scientists of their generation have enrolled an international cast of highly respected thinkers and writers all of whom have taken great care and joy in illuminating every imaginable corner of animal behavior.

This comprehensive work covers not only the usual topics such as communication, learning, sexual selection, navigation, and the history of the field, but also emerging topics in cognition, animal welfare, conservation, and applications of animal behavior. The large section on animal cognition brings together many of the world's experts on the subject to provide a comprehensive overview of this rapidly developing area. Chapters relating to animal welfare give a full view of behavioral interactions of humans with companion animals, farm animals, and animals in the wild. The key role of animal behavior in conservation biology receives broad attention, including chapters on topics such as the effects of noise pollution, captive breeding, and how the behavioral effects of parasites interacts with conservation issues. Animal behavior in environmental biology is highlighted in chapters on the effects of endocrine disruptors on behavior and a large number of chapters on key species, such as wolves, chimpanzees, hyenas and sharks.

Clear, accessible writing complements a wealth of information for undergraduate college students about the essential concepts of animal behavior and the application of those concepts across the field. In-depth coverage of concepts, methods, and exemplar organisms serves the needs of graduate students and professionals in the field.

From the use of behavior in assessing the welfare of pigs to the social behavior of insects, from animal empathy to bat brains, this authoritative reference, with its in-depth introductory articles, rich array of illustrations, interactive cross-referenced links, and numerous suggested readings, can guide the student or the professional to an expanded appreciation of the far-flung world of animal behavior. An invaluable tool for teaching and a source of enrichment and detail for any topic covered in an animal behavior course, the Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior is the definitive reference work in its field and will be for years to come.

• Comprehensive work which covers the usual topics along with emerging areas of animal behavior
• This encyclopedia contains clear, accessible writing and is well illustrated, including an online video, complimenting a wealth of information
• As an online reference, this work will be subject to period updating. This ensures that the work always remains current
• Contains in-depth introductions to the material that make each well-illustrated section come alive with the best the new content the discipline has to offer
• Glossary includes a compendium of behavioral terms that form a succinct mosaic of virtually every concept and phenomenon related to animal behavior
• Section editors, drawn from around the world, represent the best and the brightest among today's behavioral biologists and have recruited a broad range of internationally recognized experts
• Editors-in-Chief are experienced scientists and writers who between them have authored or edited eight books and teach courses in animal behavior at their respective universities

"This beautifully put together three-volume encyclopedia comprises 300-plus entries on a diverse range of topics in the contemporary study of animal behavior. Entries run the gamut from topic-focused (e.g., "Aggression and Territoriality," "Visual Signals") to those treating the behavior of a particular species or taxonomic group (e.g., "Bowerbirds," "Zebrafish"). The set also covers applied research, methodological issues, and historical topics, along with emerging areas of research such as animal welfare and the role of behavior in conservation. Most entries are five to eight pages long, and each concludes with a helpful list of recommendations for further reading and, in some cases, relevant Web sites. Breed and Moore have assembled an outstanding array of contributors, including many recognized experts in the field. The writing is crisp, clear, and to the point. Numerous tables and color figures add to the value of the text, and a lengthy glossary is included at the end of  each volume. Although the sheer range of entries and the overlap among them could be a bit confusing, a "Subject Classification Index" located at the front of each volume organizes relevant entries under major subject headings. The editors state that their primary audience is advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals looking for an overview of topics in animal behavior, and they have succeeded wonderfully in producing an indispensable reference work for this audience. Those who study animal behavior or teach in this field will want these volumes on their shelf. Summing Up: Essential. Lower-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty." --S. C. Baker, James Madison University, CHOICE

Winner of the PROSE Award! The Association of American Publishers award for Professional and Scholarly Excellence/Multivolume Reference/Science

"The study of animal behavior is fascinating for many reasons, not the least of which is the light it may shine on human action. Here editors Breed (Univ. of Colorado) and Moore (Colorado State Univ.) present more than 300 articles on aspects of animal behavior, the work of 400 contributors from around the world. Each signed article begins with an introduction, then addresses the topic in several pages of detail, including supporting figures. Each article ends with a list of books, journal articles, and websites for further reading, some as recent as 2009. Articles may be based on a broad topic ("bird migration"), a more specific topic ("mating interference due to introduction of exotic species"), a specific animal ("spotted hyenas"), or a person ("Niko Tinbergen"). As articles are arranged alphabetically, the astute reader will consult the subject classification index to find all relevant articles. There are, for example, 29 articles classified under Landmark Studies, and five under Networks—Social. Cross-references and a general index are also provided, as well as a glossary. Breed and Moore contributed to Greenwood Press’s 2004 work by the same name, edited by Marc Bekoff (also Univ. of Colorado). Bekoff called that earlier work unrivaled at the time. Consider the current title a worthy successor, geared perhaps toward a slightly older, more educated reader. BOTTOM LINE Highly recommended for academic and public libraries, including those holding the earlier work of the same title." --Teresa R. Faust, Vermont Dept. of Libs., Berlin in LIBRARY JOURNAL

"Every year, Choice subject editors single out for recognition the most significant print and electronic works reviewed in Choice during the previous calendar year. Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior appearing annually in Choice’s January issue, this prestigious list of publications reflects the best in scholarly titles and attracts extraordinary attention from the academic library community. The 2011 feature includes 629 titles in 54 disciplines and subsections." --CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title, 2011