Escaping From Predators: An Integrative View of Escape Decisions

When a predator attacks, prey are faced with a series of 'if', 'when' and 'how' escape decisions – these critical questions are the foci of this book. Cooper and Blumstein bring together a balance of theory and empirical research to summarise over fifty years of scattered research and benchmark current thinking in the rapidly expanding literature on the behavioural ecology of escaping. The book consolidates current and new behaviour models with taxonomically divided empirical chapters that demonstrate the application of escape theory to different groups. The chapters integrate behaviour with physiology, genetics and evolution to lead the reader through the complex decisions faced by prey during a predator attack, examining how these decisions interact with life history and individual variation. The chapter on best practice field methodology and the ideas for future research presented throughout, ensure this volume is practical as well as informative.

Table of Contents:
List of contributors; Foreword Ron Ydenberg and Larry Dill; Acknowledgements; 1. Escape behaviour: importance, scope, and variables William E. Cooper, Jr and Daniel T. Blumstein; 2. Theory: models of escape behaviour and refuge use William E. Cooper, Jr; 3. Mammals Theodore Stankowich and Eigil Reimers; 4. Birds Anders Pape Møller; 5. Reptiles William E. Cooper, Jr; 6. Fish and amphibians Patricia A. Fleming and Philip W. Bateman; 7. Invertebrates Philip W. Bateman and Patricia A. Fleming; 8. Prey behaviours during fleeing: escape trajectories, signalling and sensory defences Paolo Domenici and Graeme D. Ruxton; 9. Hiding time in refuge José Martín and Pilar López; 10. Vigilance, alarm calling, pursuit deterrence and predation inspection Guy Beauchamp; 11. Determinants of lizard escape performance: decision, motivation, ability, and opportunity Kathleen L. Foster, Clint E. Collins, Timothy E. Higham and Theodore Garland, Jr; 12. Sensory systems and escape behaviour Luke P. Tyrrell and Esteban Fernández-Juricic; 13. The physiology of escape Yoav Litvin, D. Caroline Blanchard and Robert J. Blanchard; 14. Maternal and genetic effects on escape: a prospective review Lesley T. Lancaster; 15. The personality of escape Pilar López and José Martín; 16. Best practice for the study of escape behaviour Daniel T. Blumstein, Diogo S. M. Samia, Theodore Stankowich and William E. Cooper, Jr; 17. Afterword Daniel T. Blumstein and William E. Cooper, Jr; Index.

About the Author :
William E. Cooper, Jr is Professor Emeritus of Biology at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, and a Research Associate in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at University of Arizona. A behavioural ecologist by background, he has over thirty-five years of teaching and research experience in behaviour, ecology and evolution. He has specialised in escape behaviour for the past twenty years, with particular interest in reptilian behaviour. Daniel T. Blumstein is Professor and Chair of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Professor in UCLA's Institute of Environment and Sustainability. He has studied animal behaviour throughout the world, with research focusing on the evolution of social and antipredator behaviour and the effects that mechanisms of behaviour have on higher-level ecological processes and for wildlife conservation.

Review :
'This is essential reading for antipredator buffs.' Tim Caro, The Quarterly Review of Biology '… a well thought out collection of chapters that provides a comprehensive overview of animal escape behaviors.' Ben Hirsch, ISBE Newsletter 'Every subject is strongly supported by reference lists … Escaping from Predators is likely to be a key text for many animal behaviourists, and non-specialists might also enjoy dipping into it. It is probably unique in bringing together so much current theory and research on the escape decisions made by prey.' Sue Howarth, The Biologist