Behavioral Ecology Initial Dialogues and Approaches

About this book

Behavioural ecology is a rapidly evolving field that integrates the study of animal behaviour with ecological and evolutionary processes. By examining how organisms interact with each other and their environments, this discipline provides essential insights into the mechanisms that shape biodiversity and influence the dynamics of ecosystems.

Behavioral Ecology: Initial Dialogues and Approaches offers an accessible introduction to the key concepts, tools, and methods used in behavioural ecology. Rather than serving as a comprehensive textbook, it is designed to complement teaching in animal behaviour and behavioural ecology courses, while also guiding undergraduate and graduate students who are beginning to explore this area of science.

Grounded in decades of teaching experience across institutions in Brazil and abroad, the author presents the field through a combination of theoretical foundations, methodological approaches, and case studies. The text highlights the relevance of behavioural ecology in advancing scientific knowledge, while also addressing its role in professional development, research opportunities, and international collaboration. Clear, structured, and informed by practical experience, Behavioral Ecology: Initial Dialogues and Approaches provides readers with the analytical tools necessary to design and interpret behavioural studies. It emphasises hypothesis-driven research, experimental design, and the interpretation of behavioural data, making it a valuable resource for biologists, veterinarians, animal scientists, and experimental psychologists.

Contents

- It all began out of necessity and curiosity
- Curiosity, behaviour, and their basic tools
- Animal Behaviour: basic terms and definitions
- Methods for studying animal behaviour: classical tools
- How to design a research project in Animal Behaviour
- Applying Animal Behaviour to the study of biotic interactions
- Behavioural Ecology as a research field
- Teaching practice in Behavioural Ecology: a conclusion
- Glossary of useful terms in Animal Behaviour

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Biography

Kleber Del Claro is a Brazilian scientist and professor whose research focuses on behavioural ecology and the ecology of interactions. He is well known in Brazil and in Latin-speaking countries for his books on animal behaviour and the courses he makes available for free on social media. The author served twice as president of the Brazilian Society of Ethology (Sociedade Brasileira de Etologia), and is a highly regarded professor and advisor, sought after by his students. Kleber is a member of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional para o Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnológico), known as CNPq, holding the highest level of recognition, 1A (Senior Researcher). He has been a Full Professor at the Federal University of Uberlandia (Universidade Federal de Uberlandia) since 1992. With over 245 publications (the majority with his students) and several international books, including the organisation of an encyclopedia for UNESCO, the author states that his greatest interest is to serve through education. He firmly believes that the collective "we" should always take precedence over the individual "I". In his view, the pursuit of being better and more useful in our daily lives – by serving science, education, and the community – should guide our life journeys.