Gwybodaeth Modiwlau
Module Identifier
BS23520
Module Title
ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Course Delivery
Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
---|---|
Lecture | 30 x 1h lectures |
Practical | 15 Hours. 5 x 3 hours to be spent on individual project |
Assessment
Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
---|---|---|
Semester Assessment | Individual project To be submitted 6th week of semester | 30% |
Semester Exam | 3 Hours Theory examination | 70% |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module students will be able to
- use the primary literature to expand their interest in animal behaviour
- be able to describe, with suitable examples, the basic concepts of the subject as outlined above
. provide objective, qualitative and quantitative descriptions of animal behaviour.
Aims
The module introduces the basic principles of animal behaviour (ethology), by considering Tinbergen's four questions. The importance of adopting an objective approach to the description and interpretation of behaviour is emphasised.
Content
The module discusses the basic principles of ethology under four headings: causation of behaviour, development (ontogeny) of behaviour, evolution of behaviour and function of behaviour, i.e. Tinbergen's four questions: what causes behaviour, how does it develop during ontogeny, how did itevolve and what is its function (adaptive significance). Topics covered include stimulus filtering, "releasers", species typical behaviour ("fixed action patterns"), models of motivation, effect of hormones on behaviour, genotypic influences on behaviour, learning, ritualization, phylogeny of behaviour, the use of game theory and cost-benefit analysis in behavioural ecology. Methods of describing behaviour are also discussed. In the discussion of the function of behaviour, more emphasis is placed on methods of modeling behaviour. Topics are drawn from habitat selection, ideal free distribution, foraging and the use of optimal foraging models, social behaviour, territoriality, mating and parental behaviour. The relevant text is Krebs & Davies (1993).
Reading List
Essential ReadingBarnard, C. (2004) Animal Behaviour: Mechanism, Development, Function, Evolution. Pearson, LOndon Primo search Martin, P. & Bateson, P. (1993) Measuring behaviour Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Primo search Supplementary Text
Alcock, J. (2001) Animal behaviour Sinauer, Sunderland. Mass Primo search Krebs, J.R. & Davies, N.B. (1993) An introduction to behavioural ecology Blackwell Primo search Manning, A. & Stamp Dawkins, M. (1998) An introduction to Animal Behaviour Cambridge; Cambridge University Press. Primo search Mcfarland, D. (1999) Animal Behaviour Longman Primo search Scott, G. (2005) Essential Animal Behaviour. Blackwell, Oxford Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5