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An introduction to ethology
AN INTRODUCTION TO ETHOLOGY. P.J.B. FJater, Cambridge University Press. 1985. ISBN: o-521-30266-8 (H/c - 522.50. 539.501, o-521-31605-7 (P/b - E 7.95. $12.95).
During the last decade, introductory texts to ethology have actually proliferated on the internationalbook market. Despite the fact that they all deal with the same subject, they often have presented the fundamental topics concerning the study of behaviour in a slightly different way. Nost of the time. these differences were rooted in the evolution of the ethological theories themselves and several books undoubtedly suffered from the lack of integration of the more recent developments. Under this aspect, Slater's book is a real success. Although based upon Tinbergen's categories concerning the development, causes, functions and evolution of behaviour, the text provides first of all the reader with a synthetic view of the present day knowledge. But for many points, the author also reviews the earlier theories and explains the reason why they had to be "substantiallymodified or even abandoned altogether". These four basic topics constitute the core of the book and are discussed in chapter 4 to 7 referring to motivation, development, evolution and function. Their understanding is facilitated by the three introductory chapters which clearly delimit the field of ethology and explain what motor patterns are and how they are perceived. All these issues culminate in the two last chapters on communication and social organisation where behaviour is discussed at the supra-individuellevel. Slater's text is easy to understand, didactic and well structured. Without any polemic. it shows how concepts have evolved since their origin. New ideas are well integrated and developed as thoroughly as classical ones. The book is recommended to students at advanced school or early university level.
Ursula FALTER Biologie du Comportement Universite Catholique de Louvain 2 Route de Blocry, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve,Belgium
During the last decade, introductory texts to ethology have actually proliferated on the internationalbook market. Despite the fact that they all deal with the same subject, they often have presented the fundamental topics concerning the study of behaviour in a slightly different way. Nost of the time. these differences were rooted in the evolution of the ethological theories themselves and several books undoubtedly suffered from the lack of integration of the more recent developments. Under this aspect, Slater's book is a real success. Although based upon Tinbergen's categories concerning the development, causes, functions and evolution of behaviour, the text provides first of all the reader with a synthetic view of the present day knowledge. But for many points, the author also reviews the earlier theories and explains the reason why they had to be "substantiallymodified or even abandoned altogether". These four basic topics constitute the core of the book and are discussed in chapter 4 to 7 referring to motivation, development, evolution and function. Their understanding is facilitated by the three introductory chapters which clearly delimit the field of ethology and explain what motor patterns are and how they are perceived. All these issues culminate in the two last chapters on communication and social organisation where behaviour is discussed at the supra-individuellevel. Slater's text is easy to understand, didactic and well structured. Without any polemic. it shows how concepts have evolved since their origin. New ideas are well integrated and developed as thoroughly as classical ones. The book is recommended to students at advanced school or early university level.
Ursula FALTER Biologie du Comportement Universite Catholique de Louvain 2 Route de Blocry, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve,Belgium