Social Behaviour: Genes, Ecology and Evolution [Paperback]

'Székely, Komdeur and Moore have assembled a hugely successful edited collection on the biology of social behavior. The coverage is up-to-date and complete, dealing with the full range of proximate and ultimate causes of social behavior as well as a broad range of social organisms from bacteria to humans. The chapter authors are leaders in their fields. Interspersed among the sophisticated but accessible review chapters are short, lively essays written by prominent sociobiologists. An indispensable book for all behavioral biologists and their students.' John Alcock, Arizona State University

'Social Behaviour: Genes, Ecology and Evolution provides the first extensive synthesis of research on animal social behaviour since the publication of E. O. Wilson's Sociobiology in 1974. The book brings together important reviews of the ecology, genetics and evolution of social behaviour by over sixty research leaders in this field to describe the past accomplishments of the field, outline current problems and suggest future objectives. It will be necessary reading for anyone involved in research in this area.' Tim Clutton-Brock, University of Cambridge

'This is an excellent book, that I thoroughly recommend! Social Behaviour shows that not only does everybody have a social life, but that it is the social aspects of life that are the most interesting. Sociality spices things up, leading to conflicts, but also the chance for cooperation. Whilst this has led to cool natural history, it also results in questions that cut to the core of how natural selection works. In Social Behaviour, some of the world's leading researchers do an excellent job of synthesising the huge progress that has been made over especially the last 50 years. The remit is broad, moving from the fruiting bodies of slime moulds to wealth inheritance in humans, but this [is] done almost seamlessly, demonstrating the power of evolutionary theory. By showing the excitement of the field, the great success stories, and the outstanding mysteries, this book is sure to stimulate the next generation of researchers and refresh the older generation.' Stuart West, University of Oxford

An analysis of the study of social behaviour, with contributions from experts in the field, this book details the theoretical foundations of the mechanisms and functions of social behaviour, and explores more advanced studies, including genetic, ecological and phylogenetic approaches. It provides comprehensive coverage for students and researchers from biological, behavioural and psychological disciplines.