Phylogénie Et Evolution Du Comportement Social Chez Les Blattes ...

CHAPITRE IIIEv o l u t i o n d u c o m p o r t e m e n ts o c i a l c h e z l e s b l at t e s :r é v e r s i b i l i t é , c o n t r a i n t e s e te x a p t a t i o nAnimal aggregation and co-ordination can only be fullyunderstood by a study of the social behaviour of animals,for animals are rarely forced to congregate entirelypassively, like dust grains in a whirlwind. Rather, theycome together as a result of special behaviour controlledby specific sensory stimuli, enabling them to distinguishand select members of their own species. Also, themanifold forms of co-ordination between individuals,towards which congregation usually is but the first step,are based upon highly specialized behaviour patterns.This is why ethology is, perhaps, the most importantadjunct of sociology.Ti n b e r g e n (1951)