Ethology
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with knowledge on the functions and evolution of the main behaviors of animals under natural conditions, with special reference to the species-specific evolutionary history and the role played by the interaction between genes and environment on the development of behavioral traits. The course also aims to provide knowledge on scientific methods necessary for processing behavioral data, as well as for designing and executing a behavioral study both in a natural and laboratory context.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will acquire:
knowledge of the role of animal behavior under an eco-evolutionary perspective;
knowledge of the appropriate scientific terminology of the discipline;
the ability to understand and critically discuss the main topics of behavioral ecology reported in the specialist scientific literature.
knowledge of the role of animal behavior under an eco-evolutionary perspective;
knowledge of the appropriate scientific terminology of the discipline;
the ability to understand and critically discuss the main topics of behavioral ecology reported in the specialist scientific literature.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Study of behaviour: proximate and ultimate causes of animal behaviour, competing hypotheses, observations vs. experiments, comparative method
Development of behaviour: innate behaviours, behavioural genetics, phenotypic plasticity, environment and behaviour
Adaptations and constraints
Behavioural optimization: costs-benefits balance, trade-off, alternative strategies
Game theory and frequency-dependent selection
Selfishness and altruism: life in group and sociality, conflicts and cooperation, kin selection, eusociality, multilevel selection
Sexual selection: sexual conflict, theoretical models, evolution of sexual dimorphism, mate choice, sperm competition, cryptic female choice, differential allocation
Evolution of mating systems: environment, territory and harem defence, the role of parental care
Evolution of parental care: parent-offspring conflicts, parental investment, maternal effects, sex allocation theory, sibling interactions
Development of behaviour: innate behaviours, behavioural genetics, phenotypic plasticity, environment and behaviour
Adaptations and constraints
Behavioural optimization: costs-benefits balance, trade-off, alternative strategies
Game theory and frequency-dependent selection
Selfishness and altruism: life in group and sociality, conflicts and cooperation, kin selection, eusociality, multilevel selection
Sexual selection: sexual conflict, theoretical models, evolution of sexual dimorphism, mate choice, sperm competition, cryptic female choice, differential allocation
Evolution of mating systems: environment, territory and harem defence, the role of parental care
Evolution of parental care: parent-offspring conflicts, parental investment, maternal effects, sex allocation theory, sibling interactions
Prerequisites for admission
The student must have the knowledge of basic concepts of evolutionary biology and ecology. Knowledge of the English language is also useful to directly read the original sources.
Teaching methods
The course will be based on interactive lectures supported by projected material. The student will be involved in actively participating in the discussion to improve their critical skills, to develop the acquired concepts and to communicate the concepts appropriately. Frequency is highly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Rubenstein D.R., Alcock J (2020) Etologia. Un approccio evolutivo. Zanichelli
Bogliani G., Carere C., Cervo R., Grasso D.A., Luschi P. (2022). Etologia. Lo studio del comportamento animale. UTET
Bogliani G., Carere C., Cervo R., Grasso D.A., Luschi P. (2022). Etologia. Lo studio del comportamento animale. UTET
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral test, in which the student will be evaluated according to the knowledge on the topics of the course, on the capacity to use the correct terminology and the capacity to link different topics, starting from a topic chosen by the student.
BIO/05 - ZOOLOGY - University credits: 2
BIO/07 - ECOLOGY - University credits: 4
BIO/07 - ECOLOGY - University credits: 4
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Romano Andrea
Professor(s)