Avian Biology
Volume I
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Avian Biology is a collection of papers that deals with biological aspects of birds such as their classification and habitat behavior. One paper reviews how birds are classified through practical systematics, study of fossils, and some of the problems encountered in the arrangement of major groups. Another paper discusses the origin and evolution of birds from their reptilian predecessors to their current evolutionary rates. Evolutionary rates vary depending on access to new habitats; if the environment is static, evolutionary rates can also slow down. One author discusses the inter-relations of sea birds with their marine environment, including coastal areas and the biological properties of the surface water. Another author describes the biology of desert birds relating to nomadism behavior and physical adaptations especially to the arid environment. The author also describes the cooling mechanism of these desert birds. Another paper evaluates the ecological aspect of behavior that includes foraging, habitat selection, mating, and flocking cohesion. Avian biologists, zoologists, and readers who have a general interest in birds will find this book useful.
Table of Contents
List of Contributors
Preface
Note on Taxonomy
Chapter 1. Classification of Birds
I. Introduction
II. Practical Systematics
III. Some Problems in the Arrangement of Major Groups
IV. A Classification of Birds
V. Some Fossils of Uncertain Taxonomic Position
References
Chapter 2 . Origin and Evolution of Birds
I. Introduction
II. Some Reptilian Predecessors of Birds
III. The Origin of Birds
IV. Evolution during the Cretaceous
V. The Tertiary Expansion of Birds
VI. Evolution in the Quaternary
VII. Rate of Evolution
References
Chapter 3. Systematics and Speciation in Birds
I. Introduction and Analytic Methods
II. Intraspecific Variation
III. Species and Speciation
IV. Generic Level
V. The Future of Avian Systematics
References
Chapter 4. Adaptive Radiation of Birds
I. Introduction
II. Problems in Size: The Surface-Volume Ratio
III. Locomotor Adaptations
IV. Adaptation for Feeding
V. Adaptive Radiation within Families and Orders of Birds
References
Chapter 5. Patterns of Terrestrial Bird Communities
I. Introduction
II. Spatial and Temporal Organization
III. Interspecies Associations
IV. Birds as Part of a Larger Community. Energy and Density of Individuals
V. Prospect
References
Chapter 6. Sea Bird Ecology and the Marine Environment
I. Introduction
II. Feeding
III. The Marine Environment
IV. Breeding Seasons, Movements, and Molt
V. Breeding Ecology
VI. Life and Death of Sea Birds
VII. Regulation of Sea Bird Numbers
VIII. Interspecific Relations and Some Evolutionary Considerations
References
Chapter 7. Biology of Desert Birds
I. Introduction
II. The Nature of Desert Areas
III. The Occurrence of Deserts
IV. The Desert Avifauna
V. Reproduction
VI. Nomadism
VII. Physiological Adaptations
References
Chapter 8. Ecological Aspects of Periodic Reproduction
I. Introduction
II. The Breeding Seasons of Birds
III. Ultimate Control of Reproduction
IV. Proximate Control of Reproduction
V. The Social Factor in Reproduction
VI. Phylogenetic Aspects of Breeding Seasons
VII. Migration in Relation to Reproduction
References
Chapter 9. Population DynamicsZ
I. Definition
II. Bird Numbers
III. Population Fluctuations
IV. Clutch Size
V. Territory
VI. Mortality
References
Chapter 10. Ecological Aspects of Reproduction
Symbols
I. Introduction
II. Demographic Considerations
III. Variations in Reproductive Parameters
IV. Reproductive Strategy
V. Breeding Success
VI. Adult Survivorship
VII. Geographic Variation in Reproductive Strategies
References
Chapter 11. Ecological Aspects of Behavior
I. Introduction
II. Foraging Behavior
III. Habitat Selection and Spacing
IV. Mating Systems
V. Flocking Behavior
References
Author Index
Index to Bird Names
Subject Index
Product details
- No. of pages: 606
- Language: English
- Copyright: © Academic Press 1971
- Published: September 28, 1971
- Imprint: Academic Press
- eBook ISBN: 9781483270005