Sexual Segregation in Vertebrates

Sexual Segregation in Vertebrates explores the reasons why this behaviour has evolved and what factors contribute to it.

Kathreen Ruckstuhl (Edited by), Peter Neuhaus (Edited by)

9780521184212, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 17 February 2011

502 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.8 cm, 0.73 kg

“In addition to being a solid review, this first synthesis should serve to encourage discussion and promote further research in this area of behavioral ecology.” --Choice

Males and females often differ in developmental patterns, adult morphology, ecology and behaviour, and in many mammals males are often larger. Size dimorphism results in divergent nutritional and energetic requirements or reproductive strategies by the sexes, which in turn sometimes causes them to select different forage, use different habitats, and express differing social affinities. Such divergent life-styles often lead males and females to live large parts of their lives separately. Sexual segregation is widespread in animals. Males and females may share the same habitat, but at different times, for example, or they might use different habitats entirely. Why did sexual segregation evolve and what factors contribute to it? Sexual Segregation in Vertebrates explores these questions by looking at a wide range of vertebrates and is aimed as a synthesis of our current understanding and a guide for future research.

Preface
Part I. Overview: 1. Sexual segregation and the ecology of the two sexes Kathreen E. Ruckstuhl and Tim H. Clutton-Brock
Part II. Concepts and Methodology: 2. Definitions, hypotheses, models and measures in the study of animal segregation Larissa Conradt
Part III. Foraging Ecology: 3. Sex differences in the foraging ecology of large mammalian herbivores Johan T. du Toit
4. Sexual segregation in seals Ian J. Staniland
5. Sexual differences in foraging behaviour and diets: a case-study of wandering albatrosses Jose C. Xavier and John P. Croxall
6. Differences in foraging behaviour and feeding ecology in giant petrels Jacob Gonzáles-Solís and John P. Croxall
Part IV. Predator Avoidance and Reproductive Strategies: 7. Predation risk as a driving factor for size assortative shoaling and its implications for sexual segregation in fish Darren P. Croft, Jens Krause and Richard James
8. Differences in habitat selection and reproductive strategies of male and female sharks David W. Sims
9. Sex differences in reproductive strategies affect habitat choice in ungulates Martin B. Main and Johan T. du Toit
Part V. Sex-related Activities and Social Factors: 10. Activity asynchrony and social segregation Kathreen E. Ruckstuhl and Peter Neuhaus
11. Sexual segregation in ungulates: from individual mechanisms to collective patterns Richard Bon, Jean-Louis Deneubourg, Jean-François Gerard and Pablo Michelena
12. Sexual segregation in humans Anthony D. Pellegrini, Jeffrey D. Long and Elizabeth A. Mizerek
Part VI. Sexual Differences in Ecology: Comparisons within Different Taxa: 13. Ecological divergence between the sexes in reptiles Richard Shine and Mike Wall
14. Sexual segregation in Australian marsupials Abigail M. MacFarlane and Graeme Coulson
15. Social systems and ecology of bats John D. Altringham and Paula Senior
16. Sociality and ecology of the odontocetes Robert Michaud
17. Sexual segregation in non-human primates David P. Watts
Part VII. Implications for Conservation: 18. Sexual segregation in birds: patterns, processes and implications for conservation Paulo Catry, Richard A. Phillips and John P. Croxal
19. Sexual segregation: a necessary consideration in wildlife conservation Esther S. Rubin and Vernon C. Bleich
Part VIII. Outlook: 20. Conclusions and future directions Peter Neuhaus, Kathreen E. Ruckstuhl and Larissa Conradt
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Zoology: Vertebrates [PSVW], Animal ecology [PSVS], Animal behaviour [PSVP], Evolution [PSAJ]