The Evolution of Cetacean Societies
Uncovering the Social Complexity of Whales and Dolphins
$75.99
- Paperback
320 pages
- Release Date
2 February 2026
Summary
From leading cetacean biologists, an up-to-date, comprehensive collection exploring advancements in our understanding of cetacean ecology, behavior, and societies.
Cetaceans—whales, dolphins, and porpoises—represent an evolutionary peak with respect to their advanced cognitive capacities, flexible communication systems, and structured, multilevel societies. Indeed, the social lives of whales and dolphins have long fascinated scientists and the public alike. The Ev…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780226840574 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 0226840573 |
| Author: | Darren P. Croft, Andrew D. Foote, Ellen C. Garland, Stephanie L. King |
| Publisher: | The University of Chicago Press |
| Imprint: | University of Chicago Press |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 320 |
| Release Date: | 2 February 2026 |
| Weight: | 594g |
| Dimensions: | 28mm x 152mm x 229mm |
Critics Review
“An up-to-date account of the social lives of whales and dolphins, one that benefits from new technologies such as digital photography, drones and biologging, as well as genomics, Bayesian statistics and more… . A rich overview… . While many chapters review particular topics or species, in others whale or dolphins are used as a model to explore broader concepts in social evolution. Ultimately, this book is not just for those researching marine mammals; it will be useful for those studying primates where parallels abound, as well as those broadly interested in social evolution.”
* Animal Behaviour *“If your interest is social evolution, cognition, culture, or population genomics, this is essential reading, a current, well-argued synthesis that earns its place on the shelf.”
* Integrative and Comparative Biology blog *“Leading biologists explore advancements in our understanding of Cetaceans—whales, dolphins and porpoises—including how they communicate, form societies and maintain relationships.”
* The Bookseller *“Science proceeds from initial observations to hypothesis testing to paradigm development. This book indicates that the understanding of cetacean societies is approaching the last stage of scientific development. The editors have recruited specialists from around the globe to produce chapters detailing the latest developments and conclusions on an array of topics fundamental to understanding cetacean societies. Each chapter is written according to the format and quality of a scientific journal. The literature cited is extensive and current. Chapter narratives are clear and well written… . Recommended.”
* Choice *“A powerful book that summarizes the huge and diverse advances that have been made in our understanding of cetacean societies. It describes in detail what we have learned about how cetaceans interact between different levels of organization within and between species, both cetaceans and our own.” – Michael J. Moore, emeritus scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and author of “We Are All Whalers: The Plight of Whales and Our Responsibility”
Darren P. Croft
Darren P. Croft is professor of animal behavior at the University of Exeter and executive director of the Center for Whale Research. He is coauthor of Exploring Animal Social Networks and coeditor of Animal Social Networks.
Andrew D. Foote is a researcher at the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis at the University of Oslo.
Ellen C. Garland is a Royal Society University Research Fellow and reader in the School of Biology at the University of St Andrews. She is coeditor of Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Mysticetes.
Stephanie L. King is professor of animal behavior at the University of Bristol and codirector of Shark Bay Dolphin Research.
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