The Evolution of Social Behaviour in Insects and Arachnids

Description

Social insects and arachnids exhibit forms of complex behavior that involve cooperation in building a nest, defending against attackers or rearing offspring. This book is a comprehensive, up-to-date guide to sociality and its evolution in a wide range of taxa. In it, leading researchers review the extent of sociality in different insect and arachnid groups, analyze the genetic, ecological and demographic causes of sociality from a comparative perspective, and suggest ways in which the field can be better understood. The book contains fascinating accounts of the social lives of many different insects and arachnids, as well as tests of current theories of the evolution of social behavior. The Evolution of Social Behaviour in Insects and Arachnids provides essential reading and insight for students and researchers interested in social behavior, behavioral ecology, entomology, and arachnology.

'Possessing these two handsomely produced volumes is like possessing Aladdin's magic lamp ...You may take your pick - from parental care in cockroaches to sex among cannibals in jumping spiders ... it's an endless menu!' Raghavendra Gadagkar, Trends in Ecology and Evolution 'Choe and Crespi have succeeded in providing an exceptional addition to the literature on social behavior in insects and arachnids. To my knowledge this book is the first of its kind to focus completely on the evolution of social systems in invertebrates ... a comprehensive volume that reviews the current literature and provides insightful new questions that probe the evolution of social behavior in insects and arachnids.' John Melville, Northwest Science '... an exceptional book packed with scholarship, insights and arthropod wonders ... fascinating ... splendidly thought provoking and hence in the best sense intellectually entertaining ... of considerable scientific value in terms of the breadth of its scope, the wealth of empirical findings and the careful evaluation of this ... so well written, skilfully packed with delightful examples that it should also be a source of pleasure to almost every ecological entomologist.' Ecological Entomology