Gwybodaeth Modiwlau
Course Delivery
Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
---|---|
Lecture | 26 x 1h lectures |
Practical | 4 x 3 hour practical sessions (practical 1 takes 2 sessions) |
Assessment
Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
---|---|---|
Semester Exam | 3 Hours written exam | 70% |
Semester Assessment | Practical write up | 30% |
Supplementary Exam | 3 Hours written exam | 70% |
Supplementary Assessment | Resubmission of failed coursework or alternative. | 30% |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Describe critically and coherently the application of Darwinian principles to behaviour
- Apply cost-benefit and game theory models to real systems to allow a functional interpretation of behaviour
- Outline the application and use of such models for particular, applied problems
Content
The module analyses the adaptive significance of behaviour using cost-benefit, optimality and game-theory models. Topics include habitat selection and the ideal free distribution, introducing the concept of evolutionary stable strategies (ESSs). Feeding behaviour is used to introduce optimality models as exemplified by optimal foraging models. Predator-prey interactions illustrate the development of a components model and the use of computer simulations. Social behaviour and territoriality are analysed using both cost-benefit and ESS models. Mate choice and the evolution of secondary sexual characteristics and parental behaviour illustrate the concept of sexual selection and its consequences for individual inclusive fitness. The functional analysis of parental behaviour illustrates the problem of co-operation and conflict between parents, and between parents and offspring, and the examination of host-parasite and mutualistic relationships extends these analyses to inter-specific interactions.
Aims
The field of Behavioural Ecology is devoted to understanding patterns of animal behaviour in an evolutionary context, focusing on developing understanding of the way in which behaviour contributes to survival and reproductive success. This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the study of Behavioural Ecology, which has been a significant mode of animal behaviour research over the past 20 years. The module builds on a 1st semester 2nd year module in Animal Behaviour, which focuses on mechanisms and ontogeny of behaviour, by placing behaviour into a greater evolutionary and an ecological context.
Brief description
The module analyses the adaptive significance of behaviour using cost-benefit, optimality and game-theory models. Topics include habitat selection and the ideal free distribution, introducing the concept of evolutionary stable strategies (ESSs). Feeding behaviour is used to introduce optimality models as exemplified by optimal foraging models. Predator-prey interactions illustrate the development of a components model and the use of computer simulations. Social behaviour and territoriality are analysed using both cost-benefit and ESS models. Mate choice and the evolution of secondary sexual characteristics and parental behaviour illustrate the concept of sexual selection and its consequences for individual inclusive fitness. The functional analysis of parental behaviour illustrates the problem of co-operation and conflict between parents, and between parents and offspring, and the examination of host-parasite and mutualistic relationships extends these analyses to inter-specific interactions.
Module Skills
Skills Type | Skills details |
---|---|
Application of Number | Data collection, basic statistical analysis, normality testing, non-parametric and parametric statistical testing of hypotheses. |
Communication | Written communication through practical report writing |
Improving own Learning and Performance | Attendance at lectures, participation in practical sessions. |
Information Technology | Use of statistical data analysis packages (MINITAB), spreadsheets / graphing (Excel) and word processing software packages in practical report writing |
Personal Development and Career planning | Skills developed in this module will have value for subsequent careers in Behavioural Ecology. |
Problem solving | Design and implementation of experimental field studies |
Research skills | Data collection, statistical analysis and report writing for all practical sessions; reading and critically assessing scientific literature to underpin report introduction and discussion sections |
Subject Specific Skills | Field, lab and analysitical skills associated with undertaking research in Behavioural Ecology. |
Team work | Students work in coordinated teams in all practicals. |
Reading List
General TextAlcock, John (April 2005) Animal Behavior:An Evolutionary Approach 8th ed. Sinauer Associates, Incorporated Primo search Barnard, C. J. (2004.) Animal behaviour :mechanism, development, function, and evolution /Chris Barnard. Pearson Education Primo search Recommended Text
Danchin, Etienne. (2008.) Behavioural ecology /Etienne Danchin, Luc-Alain Giraldeau, Frank C ezilly. Oxford University Press Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5