Animal Architecture

This monograph on the biology of animal building embraces all groups, from simple invertebrates to primate toolmakers. It looks at the behavioral and anatomical equipment animals have in order to build, as well as the materials available to them. It examines how architects are able, singly or collectively, to produce complex structures often much larger than themselves. It also looks at the costs of building, the properties of completed structures, the ecological impact of them ,and their effects on the evolution of animal builders.

Hansell (Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, U. of Glasgow, UK) synthesizes the biological research on animal construction of homes, traps, and displays, highlighting areas that require further research. He discusses the functional role of animal buildings; considers theories of building materials (collected and self- secreted); tests predictions of building anatomy and behavior; explores issues of mechanics, growth and design; looks at the cost of home building and its trade-offs with other life history traits; explores hypotheses of the relationship of animal buildings to ecosystems; and considers the evolutionary biology of animal structures. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Mike Hansell is a Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow.