The study of behaviour of organisms in their biotic and abiotic environment, in an evolutionary context, by combining observations, experiments and models. It looks at how competition and cooperation between and within species affects survival and reproductive success.
N.B.Davies, J.R.Krebs, S.A.West, An introduction to Behavioural Ecology, Wiley 2012
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired: functional and adaptive aspects in Ethology and Ecology, with particular reference to factors which influence the expression and evolution of behaviour in relation to environmental variables.
Competences acquired: to compare the evolution of a behavioural trait either among different species, in different environments, or among populations of the same species.
Communication skills:
-to know the scientific language in the field of animal ecology.
Skills acquired: ability to evaluate how environmental factors and social context contribute to shape animal behaviour and its
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of Ethology, Ecology, Genetics and Statistics
Teaching Methods
The course consists of 40 hours of lectures (5 credits) and 12 hours of lab (1 CFU).
Frontal lectures. Group work. In-depth study of specific case studies. Interactive teaching and moments of discussion and critical analysis.
Further information
Seminars on specific topics.
Field lab: capture and marking of micro-mammals and mustelids, in collaboration with Ethoikos and further field experiences.
Visit to the Pistoia zoo. Observations of social and reproductive behavior of tortoises in captivity.
Type of Assessment
Final oral examination
Course program
Natural selection, environment and behaviour: reproductive behaviour of lions. Studies by Lack and Perrins on tits, by Högstedt on magpies. Clutch size and survival.
Comparative approach: the comparative method. Historical and experimental studies on weaver birds, ungulates and primates. The Tinbergen study on eggshell removal in the gull.
Economic trade-offs. The marginal value theorem. The economics of carrying a load. The economics of prey choice. Prey manipulation. The risk of starvation. Feeding and danger: a trade-off. Optimality models in the diet of herbivores.
Predators versus Prey: co-evolution prey and predator, arms race, criptic and batesian mimicry, prey-predator communication, brood parasitism. Cuckoos versus hosts.
Competition. Competing for Resource. Competition by exploitation: the ideal free distribution. Competition by resource defense: the despotic distribution. The economics of resource defense.
Living in Groups. Costs and benefits of group living. Group size and skew, theoretical models and experimental studies. Allee effect.
Fighting and assessment. competition for resources, asymmetric conflicts. Game theory: hawks and doves. Evolutionary stable strategies (ESS). Alternative strategies. Information transmission about strength or intentions.
Sexual conflict and sexual selection. Parental investment and sexual competition. Competition for the partner and the resources. Sexual selection. Male competition: conflicts and performances. Female choice. Genetic and non-genetic benefits. The role of ornaments: Fisher's hypothesis, the hypothesis of the handicap, the hypothesis of Hamilton and Zuk.
Nuptial systems and parental care. Parental investment: a parent’s optimum. Mating systems with no male parental care. Mating systems with male parental care. From poligamy to monogamy, Poliginy threshold. Reproductive strategies.
Alternative mating strategies. Why alternative strategies? Alternative strategies in evolutionary equilibrium. Hermaphroditism.