Description
An important empirical test of the theoretical predictions of sexual selection theory, this book presents a long-term field study of the monagamous barn swallow. By using information on behaviour, ecology, morphology, genetics, and evolution, the book reviews this theory and its two components: male-male competition and female choice. The selective advantages of a long tail are investigated for this common bird, demonstrating such effects as mating behaviour, copulation behaviour, migration strategies, and host-parasite interactions. A rich informative text which clearly elucidates the mechanisms and consequences of sexual selection.
Reviews
'Moller's field studies are remarkable in scope.' Robert Gibson, Nature, Vol 371, September 1994
'Moller's field studies are remarkable in scope, in the degree to which experimentation has been employed and in the extent to which they confirm a priori theory. Collectively they make one of the most complete cases so far for adaptive female choice of a sexual ornament.' Robert Gibson, University of California, Nature
welcome addition ... The strengths of the book lie in the wealth of information contained ... The main attractions for workers in the field are likely to be the pieces of more detailed information than usually make it to publication. Oxford University Press should be applauded for the Series in Ecology and Evolution which continues its high standard with this volume. * Matthew Evans, The Ibis 137:127 1995 *
Nick Davies' superb study on dunnocks (Davies 1992) is a difficult act to follow in the Oxford Series in Ecology and Evolution, but Anders Pape Moller has done an admirable job with this book ... it is a well-written and excellently produced review of a large coherent body of work; as an empirical study of sexual selection it has few equals ... it should be read by anyone studying sexual selection, and many other biologists besides. * Jeremy K. Blakey, Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Animal Behaviour, 49, 5 *
a valuable synthesis of this work to date * Ethology, Ecology & Evolution, 7, 1995 *
This book is welcome simply because it pulls together and summarizes all the work Moller has conducted on this species. The strengths of this book lie in the wealth of information contained within it ... this book provides a fascinating insight into the life and natural history of this beautiful bird. I hope it will also provide the more general reader with a case study of a long-term research project with neatly presented field-based experiments. I enjoyed this book, the insights into the biology of a species which can only be obtained through years of painstaking study were especially interesting. * Matthew Evans, Journal of Animal Ecology, 65, 1996 *
This book is important reading for behavioral ecologists, in general, and should be required reading for anyone studying sexual selection. It would make an interesting book for graduate or advanced undergraduate seminars in behavioral ecology, and is recommended for libraries of universities and colleges with programs including behavioral ecology at these levels. * Rebecca E. Irwin, University of Tennessee at Martin, Auk, Vol. 113, January 1996 *
Anders Moller's excellent book illustrates very strikingly both the value of sustained study of a single species and the way in which a sound understanding of theory can give direction and purpose to such work.Moller presents both an elegant treatise on the subject of sexual selection and a book that is highly readable and informative and which provides much more than an exhaustive reading of his many papers ever could...lucid, enthralling and stimulating book...This is a splendidly produced and well-illustrated book (the drawings by Jens Gregersen are delightful) that I recommend whole-heartedly. Indeed, as an exmplar of sound methodology and of the use of theory to direct observations and experiments, it should be compulsory reading for all students about to embark on research in behavioural ecology. * Ethology 103, 171-176 (1997). that is higly read *
Book Information
ISBN 9780198540281
Author Anders Pape Moller
Format Paperback
Page Count 376
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 1g
Dimensions(mm) 233mm * 209mm * 22mm
Reviews
'Moller's field studies are remarkable in scope.' Robert Gibson, Nature, Vol 371, September 1994
'Moller's field studies are remarkable in scope, in the degree to which experimentation has been employed and in the extent to which they confirm a priori theory. Collectively they make one of the most complete cases so far for adaptive female choice of a sexual ornament.' Robert Gibson, University of California, Nature
welcome addition ... The strengths of the book lie in the wealth of information contained ... The main attractions for workers in the field are likely to be the pieces of more detailed information than usually make it to publication. Oxford University Press should be applauded for the Series in Ecology and Evolution which continues its high standard with this volume. * Matthew Evans, The Ibis 137:127 1995 *
Nick Davies' superb study on dunnocks (Davies 1992) is a difficult act to follow in the Oxford Series in Ecology and Evolution, but Anders Pape Moller has done an admirable job with this book ... it is a well-written and excellently produced review of a large coherent body of work; as an empirical study of sexual selection it has few equals ... it should be read by anyone studying sexual selection, and many other biologists besides. * Jeremy K. Blakey, Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Animal Behaviour, 49, 5 *
a valuable synthesis of this work to date * Ethology, Ecology & Evolution, 7, 1995 *
This book is welcome simply because it pulls together and summarizes all the work Moller has conducted on this species. The strengths of this book lie in the wealth of information contained within it ... this book provides a fascinating insight into the life and natural history of this beautiful bird. I hope it will also provide the more general reader with a case study of a long-term research project with neatly presented field-based experiments. I enjoyed this book, the insights into the biology of a species which can only be obtained through years of painstaking study were especially interesting. * Matthew Evans, Journal of Animal Ecology, 65, 1996 *
This book is important reading for behavioral ecologists, in general, and should be required reading for anyone studying sexual selection. It would make an interesting book for graduate or advanced undergraduate seminars in behavioral ecology, and is recommended for libraries of universities and colleges with programs including behavioral ecology at these levels. * Rebecca E. Irwin, University of Tennessee at Martin, Auk, Vol. 113, January 1996 *
Anders Moller's excellent book illustrates very strikingly both the value of sustained study of a single species and the way in which a sound understanding of theory can give direction and purpose to such work.Moller presents both an elegant treatise on the subject of sexual selection and a book that is highly readable and informative and which provides much more than an exhaustive reading of his many papers ever could...lucid, enthralling and stimulating book...This is a splendidly produced and well-illustrated book (the drawings by Jens Gregersen are delightful) that I recommend whole-heartedly. Indeed, as an exmplar of sound methodology and of the use of theory to direct observations and experiments, it should be compulsory reading for all students about to embark on research in behavioural ecology. * Ethology 103, 171-176 (1997). that is higly read *
Book Information
ISBN 9780198540281
Author Anders Pape Moller
Format Paperback
Page Count 376
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 1g
Dimensions(mm) 233mm * 209mm * 22mm
