Primate Behavioral Ecology

by Karen B. Strier

This comprehensive introductory text integrates evolutionary, ecological, and demographic perspectives with new results from field studies and contemporary noninvasive molecular and hormonal techniques to understand how different primates behave and the significance of these insights for primate conservation. Each chapter is organized around the major research themes in the field, with Strier emphasizing the interplay between theory, observations, and conservation issues. Examples are drawn from the "classic" primate field studies as well as more recent studies on previously neglected species, illustrating the vast behavioral variation that exists across the primate order. Primate Behavioral Ecology 5th Edition also examines how anthropogenic activities are negatively impacting primate populations, including a thorough analysis of behavioural plasticity and its implications. This fully updated new edition incorporates exciting new discoveries and the most up-to-date approaches in the field to provide an invaluable overview of the field of primate behavioral ecology and its applications to primate conservation. It is considered to be a “must read” for all students interested in primates.

Genres: Anthropology, Animals, Science, Nonfiction, Ecology, Biology, Psychology

602 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1999

About the author

Karen Streier, Ph.D., is Vilas Professor and Irven DeVore Professor of Anthropology at University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison, WI).

http://www.anthropology.wisc.edu/peop...

Reviews

[Isaiah RB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chock full of absolutely incredible information. I learned a ton by reading this textbook, and I hear it's well regarded. I found it very helpful in my university Primatology course. However it is mind numbingly tedious and written without a trace of excitement or joy. It reads like an ad in a hospital waiting room which is a shame because the content is applicable and inherently fascinating.

[Jesse Neumann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely can be shortened. Contained some good comedic material though...

[Serena Yates]

review to follow

[Riversue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introductory text to the subject of primates - their behaviour and how it relates to the ecological environment they inhabit.

[Zawn V · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book really deserves one star, but it provided me with hours of laughs and even inspired some diagrams. If you're looking to learn about primate behavior, I'd recommend another source, because even the things that Strier says that seem to be well documented are undermined by some of her more insane assertions. If, however, you're looking for an illustration of what swallowing the sociobiology kool-aid yields, that's another matter entirely. Highlights include:

Strier repeatedly referring to young male primates as "boys" and insisting that they like "boy toys"
Strier's proclamation that no primate societies have dominant females and the subsequent devotion of an entire chapter to female dominant troops

It gets better every time I read it. I should probably go back, reclassify this as comedy, and give it five stars.