Comparative Social Evolution [Hardcover]

A comparative view of the major features of animal social life and the evolution of cooperative group living.Bringing together the principle taxonomic groups, from ants to primates, this volume provides a unique perspective on the evolution of cooperative group living. The chapters synthesize features of animal social life to foster the development of a framework for a common, trait-based approach towards social synthesis.Bringing together the principle taxonomic groups, from ants to primates, this volume provides a unique perspective on the evolution of cooperative group living. The chapters synthesize features of animal social life to foster the development of a framework for a common, trait-based approach towards social synthesis.Darwin famously described special difficulties in explaining social evolution in insects. More than a century later, the evolution of sociality - defined broadly as cooperative group living - remains one of the most intriguing problems in biology. Providing a unique perspective on the study of social evolution, this volume synthesizes the features of animal social life across the principle taxonomic groups in which sociality has evolved. The chapters explore sociality in a range of species, from ants to primates, highlighting key natural and life history data and providing a comparative view across animal societies. In establishing a single framework for a common, trait-based approach towards social synthesis, this volume will enable graduate students and investigators new to the field to systematically compare taxonomic groups and reinvigorate comparative approaches to studying animal social evolution.1. The evolution of social evolution Dustin R. Rubenstein and Patrick Abbot; Part I. Invertebrates: 2. Sociality in ants J?rgen Heinze, Katrina Kellner and Jon Seal; 3. Sociality in bees William Wcislo and Jennifer H. Fewell; 4. Sociality in wasps James H. Hunt and Amy L. Toth; 5. Sociality in termites Judith Korb and Barbara Thorne; 6. Soló,