Survival Strategies: Cooperation and Conflict in Animal Societies

by Raghavendra Gadagkar

Did you know that Tasmanian hens have two husbands? That cellular slime molds commit suicide? That vampire bats will share food with hungry fellow bats and that hanuman langurs commit infanticide? Why creatures great and small behave in such fascinating and seemingly perplexing ways is explained in this delightful account of the evolutionary foundations of animal social behavior.

Only in recent years have biologists and ethologists begun to apply careful evolutionary thinking to the study of animal societies--and with spectacular results. This book presents the choicest of these findings, with a remarkable wealth of insights into the myriad strategies that animals have developed to perpetuate their kind. In an irresistible style, Raghavendra Gadagkar explores the strategies of cooperation and conflict adopted by animals--from the lordly lion to the primitive wasp worker--as they choose mates, raise their young, communicate with others, and establish the division of labor necessary to feed and protect the group and safeguard their territory.

Whether focusing on the birds or the bees, this book offers both superb descriptions and lucid explanations of many different behaviors encountered in the animal why a ground squirrel will sound an alarm--even risk its own safety--to warn fellow squirrels of impending danger; why weaver ant larvae donate silk for nest building; why house mice raise their offspring in a communal nursery; and how animals can recognize the relatives they want to favor--or avoid.

Illustrated with both photographs and explanatory diagrams, this expert and inviting tour of the social world of animals will inform and charm anyone curious about the motivations behind the amazing range of activity in the animal kingdom.

Genres: Biology, Science, Ecology

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 1998

Reviews

[Darshika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the easiest to understand and thorough books written on evolution, game theory and gene selection. The author's love for his field is reflected in his simple explanations of each interaction in the animal kingdom. I read this book 3-4 years ago and still find myself reminiscing about some example cited. It's a must read, you won't regret it if you the slightest interest in animal behavioural interactions.

[Jayjit Das · Rating 4 out of 5]

A holistic approach to comprehensively cover various intriguing aspects of animal interactions.

[Nishanth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read for broadly understanding ethology. This book reads like multiple short stories on different aspects of animal social behaviour.

[Vishvas · Rating 5 out of 5]

(The below is from 2006)

As a computer science student with a new-found interest in Biology, I found this book very useful and edifying. The monograph brought out the selfish gene, altruistic organism concept very well. In your explanation of the tit-for-tat and bourgeois strategies which have been so successful among living organisms, I found a gentle introduction to game theory. I was also surprised by thjis suggestion that wasps are intelligent enough to recognize other specific individuals, and to play politics. I especially liked the fact that you provided simple arithmetic to solidly support your points. Though the focus is on animal societies, I think your book should also have mentioned some other things like the importance of random variation in phenotypic expression (eg number of eyes in Drosophila flies). Besides being crisp and well written, it is also quite cheap and small in size. I have also had the privilege of recommending this book to my friends in the lay public (some of who try to elevate humans from animals) as an introduction into the evolutionary basis of cooperation and conflict in society.

[Ameen · Rating 5 out of 5]

جزو خوندنی‌ترین کتاب‌های علمی که می‌تونید بخونید در مورد راه‌کارهای مختلف جانوران برای تداوم نوع از خودکشی گرفته تا چندهمسری.

[Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun read!