Nerve Cells and Animal Behaviour »

A simple, effective and comprehensive introduction to neuroethology; how nervous systems control animal behaviour.

Preface

1 Organisation of animal behaviour and of brains: feeding in star- nosed moles and courtship in fruit flies 1

2 Signals in nerve cells: reflexes in mammals and insects 21

3 Neuronal mechanisms for releasing behaviour: predator and prey- toad and cockroach 44

4 Neuronal pathways for behaviour: startle behaviours and giant neurons in crayfish and fish 60

5 Eyes and vision: sensory filtering and course control in insects 90

6 Sensory maps: hunting by owls and bats 126

7 Programmes for movement: how nervous systems generate and control rhythmic movements 160

8 Changes in nerve cells and behaviour: learning in bees and rats; swarming in locusts 193

9 Nerve cells and animal signalling: songs of crickets, electric fish and birds 222

References 262

Index 280