Collective Animal Behavior

Book Details

• Publisher: Princeton University Press

• Author: David J. T. Sumpter

• Language: English

• Edition: Illustrated

• ISBN: 9780691148434

• Pages: 312

• Cover: Paperback

• Format: Illustrated

• Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches

About The Book

Collective Animal Behavior by David J. T. Sumpter explores the fascinating world of how animals interact and form coordinated group behaviors. From fish schools and bird flocks to honeybee swarms and ants building trails, this book investigates the underlying mechanisms that drive these collective actions. Sumpter delves into how these behaviors emerge from individual interactions, shedding light on why animals exhibit group dynamics and how these behaviors evolve across species.

Blending mathematical modeling, theoretical biology, and experimental work, Sumpter provides a comprehensive understanding of how animals move together, transfer information, make decisions, synchronize activities, and build collective structures. For the first time, he merges traditional behavioral ecology with concepts from self-organization, complex systems, and physics, offering a unified perspective on animal group coordination.

With practical applications that extend beyond the natural world, this book also explores how principles of collective animal behavior can be applied to human social systems and organizational decision-making. Rich with case studies and accessible examples, Collective Animal Behavior is a must-read for behavioral ecologists, scientists studying complex systems, and anyone interested in understanding the mechanics behind group behavior.