The Evolution of Avian Breeding Systems (Oxford Ornithology Series) [Hardcover]

J. David Ligon (Author)

RRP:	�90.00
Price:	�85.50 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
Deal Price:
You Save:	�4.50 (5%)
	o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

Usually dispatched within 7 to 13 days.
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk. Gift-wrap available.

Amazon.co.uk Trade-In Store
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details.

› See more product promotions

Product details

Hardcover: 526 pages
Publisher: OUP Oxford; First Edition edition (25 Feb 1999)
Language English
ISBN-10: 019854913X
ISBN-13: 978-0198549130
Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 16.2 x 3.8 cm
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,259,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #58 in Books > Science & Nature > Biological Sciences > Ecology > Human Ecology

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, and more.

› Visit Amazon's J. David Ligon Page

Product Description

Review

"David Ligon's book is a review of current knowledge about the factors causing variation in breeding systems in birds, strongly flavoured with historical information about the development of currently influential ideas. The book is also a review of current theories of sexual selection as they apply to birds . . . Ligon's approach is to treat different subject areas at length, reviewing classic studies and often discussing them in quite considerable detail. . . . For anyone interested in a detailed well-written summary of research in sexual selection in birds over the last 30 or so years, this book represents the best choice currently available . . . Ligon writes beautifully, if at times lengthily, and this book has very high production values. . . . [It] is much more enjoyable to read than most scientific monographs. For those wishing to be introduced to the study of sexual selection in birds, it will do an excellent job . . ."--Animal Behaviour
"Birds present what is perhaps th

Product Description

The Evolution of Avian Breeding Systems deals with three of the most conspicuous and fascinating aspects of the reproductive biology of birds: sexual selection, parental care, and mating systems. Ever since Darwin, birds have provided much of the stimulus for study of these interrelated topics. Researchers have been fascinated by the extent of sexual dimorphism in plumage colours among avian species, and the puzzling development of flamboyant ornamentation or complex courtship displays in male birds. This book provides empirical assessments of the main theories of mate choice by females, and also includes related topics such as the role of sexual selection in speciation. Although most avian species are socially monogamous, others exhibit polygyny, cooperative and classical polyandry, or lek-promiscuity. The effects of extra pair copulations on paternity, as well as their possible effects on the evolution of mating systems are also considered. Chapters devoted to each of the major mating system summarize current thinking about the factors maintaining them. Throughout the book, theoretical discussion is illustrated with examples, drawn from work on a wide range of avian species. This is the first book to combine the themes of sexual selection, parental care, and mating systems, and to focus exclusively on birds. It will be welcomed by researchers in animal behaviour and ornithology with an interest in mating systems, as well as by graduate and advanced undergraduate students taking courses in this area. It is illustrated throughout with original line drawings.

See all Product Description

Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
This book is about two of the three most conspicuous aspects of the reproductive biology of birds, sexual selection and mating systems (see Sections 1.3 and 1.4 below); the third is parental care. Read the first page

Explore More
Concordance

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organise and find favourite items.

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Customer Reviews

There are no customer reviews yet.

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

Write a customer review

.jsOffDisplayBlock { display: block; } .jsOffDisplayInline { display: inline; } .jsOffVisibility { visibility: visible; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jsOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jqOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jqOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jqOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; }