Social Foraging Theory - (Monographs in Behavior and Ecology) by Luc-Alain Giraldeau & Thomas Caraco (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Although there is extensive literature in the field of behavioral ecology that attempts to explain foraging of individuals, social foraging--the ways in which animals search and compete for food in groups--has been relatively neglected. This book redresses that situation by providing both a synthesis of the existing literature and a new theory of social foraging. Giraldeau and Caraco develop models informed by game theory that offer a new framework for analysis. Social Foraging Theory contains the most comprehensive theoretical approach to its subject, coupled with quantitative methods that will underpin future work in the field. The new models and approaches that are outlined here will encourage new research directions and applications.

To date, the analysis of social foraging has lacked unifying themes, clear recognition of the problems inherent in the study of social foraging, and consistent interaction between theory and experiments. This book identifies social foraging as an economic interaction between the actions of individuals and those of other foragers. This interdependence raises complex questions about the size of foraging groups, the diversity of resources used, and the propensity of group members to exploit each other or forage cooperatively. The models developed in the book will allow researchers to test their own approaches and predictions. Many years in development, Social Foraging Theory will interest researchers and graduate students in such areas as behavioral ecology, population ecology, evolutionary biology, and wildlife management.

Review Quotes

"Social Foraging Theory will stimulate and guide future work on the evolution and ecology of group foraging for years to come."---Graeme D. Ruxton, Book Reviews

"A well-written, extensive, and unique review of the theoretical model developed to predict and explain the foraging behaviors of animals while in groups. . . . Behavioral ecologists specializing in animal foraging will find this book to be an indispensable resource."---Craig L. Frank, Quarterly Review of Biology

"In what is certain to become a landmark publication, Luc-Alain Giraldeau and Thomas Caraco present a frame that links differing ecological questions that, to date, have rarely been related."---Michael Gillingham, ISBE Newsletter

"This book will surely have a major influence on the field of behavioral ecology for years to come . . . To offer a shameless directive, if you have any interest in the evolution of social behavior, do yourself a favor and read this book."---Thomas A. Waite, Ecology

"This book's] framework is so useful and insightful that I expect it to be very widely used. I find it hard to imagine how the authors of any future paper published on the foraging of animals in groups could get away without citing this work. I think it will become a classic text."---Graeme D. Ruxton, Ethology

About the Author

Luc-Alain Giraldeau is Professor of Biology at Université du Québec à Montréal. Thomas Caraco is Associate Professor of Biology at the State University of New York, Albany.