Animal Architecture [Paperback]

This monograph on the biology of animal building embraces all groups, from simple invertebrates to primate toolmakers. It looks at the behavioral and anatomical equipment animals have in order to build, as well as the materials available to them. It examines how architects are able, singly or collectively, to produce complex structures often much larger than themselves. It also looks at the costs of building, the properties of completed structures, the ecological impact of them ,and their effects on the evolution of animal builders.

1. Functions
2. Building materials: nature, origins, and processing
3. Behaviour and anatomy
4. Work organization and building complexity
5. Mechanics, growth, and design
6. Building costs, optimal solutions, and trade-offs
7. Animal architects as ecosystem engineers
8. Evolution

This fascinating assemblage of the world's animal architects will fill a niche in all collections. --Booklistwill fill a niche in all collections. --Booklist

It's obvious from the writing that the author...has a strong passion for the minutiae of animal-made structures. With a small midsection of color photos, the volume is a worthy read for anyone with even a slightly academic interest in the projects animals undertake. --Sierra Club,The GreenLife

Mike Hansellis a Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK.