Cephalopod Behaviour

Description

With their large brains, elaborate sense organs and complex behaviour, cephalopods are among the world's most highly evolved invertebrates. This second edition summarises the wealth of exciting new research data stemming from over five hundred papers published since the first volume appeared. It adopts a comparative approach to causation, function, development and evolution as it explores cephalopod behaviour in natural habitats and the laboratory. Extensive colour and black-and-white photography illustrates various aspects of cephalopod behaviour to complement the scientific analysis. Covering the major octopus, squid and cuttlefish species, as well as the shelled Nautilus, this is an essential resource for undergraduate and advanced students of animal behaviour, as well as researchers new to cephalopods, in fields such as neuroscience and conservation biology. By highlighting the gaps in current knowledge, the text looks to inform and to stimulate further study of these enigmatic and beautiful animals.

Roger T. Hanlon is a Senior Scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts and Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Brown University, Rhode Island. An expert scuba diver, he studies the behaviour of cephalopods across the globe and has showcased his research in over forty television programmes, including for the BBC, NOVA, Discovery Channel and National Geographic. John B. Messenger is a Zoologist interested in sensory physiology and the neural bases of animal behaviour. He has taught at the University of Cambridge, Universita degli Studi di Napoli and the University of Sheffield, and has studied living cephalopods in several marine stations, including Banyuls-sur-Mer, Ine (Japan), Naples, Plymouth and Woods Hole.

'A treasure trove of information on the cognitively most advanced invertebrates on earth. This new edition is the update every marine biologist and diver has been waiting for. The last few decades have given us many new findings and insights, which are all covered here. This overview of the cephalopods by two of the world's foremost experts, ranges from their phylogeny, sensory systems and physiology to behaviour, communication and ecology. It is highly readable and beautifully illustrated to boot.' Frans de Waal, author of Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? 'Written by two of the leaders in cephalopod research, this book is even better than the first edition. It is a 'must have' not just for scientists but for everyone who is interested in these amazing animals.' Nicola S. Clayton, FRS, University of Cambridge and Scientist in Residence, Rambert 'People find cephalopods fascinating, and rightly so as this book demonstrates. It provides a masterly synthesis of cephalopod natural history, written by two scientists who have helped to shape the field. The book is filled with stunning photographs, often taken by the authors. It will be a tremendous boon to cephalopod biologists, as well as to other scientists interested in cephalopods. It provides handy tables summarizing behaviour across species within the Cephalopoda (e.g. mating styles). This book updates the first edition, detailing recent changes in fast moving areas such as phylogeny. The authors discuss a range of current hypotheses about cephalopods (e.g. the role of ink in anti-predator behaviour) in an even-handed manner. Although this book is written with a scientific audience in mind, cephalopods admirers of all types will find this work engaging.' Shelley Adamo, Dalhousie University, Canada 'Cephalopods are undoubtedly among the most fascinating group of animals on the planet, varying enormously in appearance, behaviour, and ecology. Hanlon and Messenger do a wonderful job of illustrating how cephalopods thrive in a diverse range of habitats, how they communicate and avoid predators, how they reproduce, and their remarkable skills, ranging from colour change to cognition. The book is a wonderful tribute to these animals - indeed, how can one fail to be excited by a unique group of animals that range from less than 10mm to over 5m, can change colour in an instant, produce flashes of their own light, and solve complex problems? This clear and enlightening book is not only for those fascinated by cephalopods, but for any student and scientist interested in how animals behave, adapt, and diversity. The book beautifully, and in detail, outlines what we can learn from studying one remarkable group of animals for understanding ecology and evolution, and how animals cope with a variety of habitats to survive and reproduce.' Martin Stevens, University of Exeter 'The book is a joy to read and, while academic and fact packed in nature, it is quite a page turner if you are interested in marine biology ...' Amanda Hardy, The Biologist