BS34320 - BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY

Module Identifier

BS34320

Module Title

BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY

Academic Year

2003/2004

Co-ordinator

Dr Iain Barber

Semester

Semester 1

Other staff

Dr Robert J Wootton

Pre-Requisite

BS23520

Course delivery

Lecture

30 Hours

Practical

15 Hours 5 x 3 hour practicals to be spent on individual project

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Exam	3 Hours 3 hour theory paper	70%
Semester Assessment	Project submitted in 6th week of Semester	30%
Supplementary Exam	3 hour theory paper plus re-submission of project if failed

Learning outcomes

On completion of the module, students will have been presented with sufficient material in the form of lectures, recommended reading and the practical observation of behaviour to enable them 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.

Aims

This module discusses the ecological and evolutionary aspects of animal behaviour with an emphasis on function of behaviour. Emphasis is placed on the critical analysis of the adaptive significance of behaviour, and on the importance of behavioural ecology for the conservation, management and welfare of animals.

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 (ESS). 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. The implications of behavioural ecological studies for the husbandry and welfare of domestic and captive animals are introduced, and the necessity to apply knowledge gained from behavioural ecology studies to conservation and biological control programmes discussed. The integration of lectures with guest seminars and 'debriefing sessions' will demonstrate how general principles are currently being applied in empirical research.

Reading Lists

Books
** Essential Reading
Krebs, J.R & Davies, N.B. (1993) An introduction to behavioural ecology 3rd. London: Blackwell
Krebs, J.R. & Davies, N.B. (1997) Behavioural ecology and evolutionary approach 4th. London: Blackwell

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6