Teaching Responsibility
LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:
Biological and Environmental Sciences
Learning Methods
Lecture
Off Site
Online
Workshop
Module Offerings
5203NATSCI-SEP-CTY
Aims
To study the effects of evolutionary & ecological selection pressures on the behaviour of animals.
Learning Outcomes
1.
Evaluate behavioural strategies of wild animals in natural and captive environments by considering data from empirical studies and theoretical approaches (e.g. game theory) to determine how they may be interpreted as adaptive.
2.
Discuss the design, analysis and presentation of a time budget study on wild animals in captivity.
Module Content
Outline Syllabus:Introduction to behavioural ecology. Design & implementation of a time budget study relevant to the behavioural ecology of zoo animals. Evolution of cooperative behaviour. The ecology of social relationships with reference to current frameworks (e.g. Hinde & Kummer). Role of game theory (e.g. Hawk-Dove, Sequential Assessment Model, Wars of Attrition) and empirical studies (assessing the influence of e.g. resource ownership, resource value, resource holding potential) to the understanding of the outcomes of animal contests. Optimal foraging theory. Evolutionary arms races: Red-Queen evolution in relation to e.g. predators & prey; cuckoos and their hosts). Sexual conflict and the evolution of variable mating systems. Parental care: ecological & physiological constraints; parental investment theory.
Module Overview:
This module enables you to examine how ecological and evolutionary factors affect the survival and reproductive behaviour of animals. The role of ecological and evolutionary selection pressures to maximise inclusive fitness in wild animals is stressed. Particular emphasis is placed on the design and interpretation of a behavioural time budget study on zoo animals.
This module enables you to examine how ecological and evolutionary factors affect the survival and reproductive behaviour of animals. The role of ecological and evolutionary selection pressures to maximise inclusive fitness in wild animals is stressed. Particular emphasis is placed on the design and interpretation of a behavioural time budget study on zoo animals.
Additional Information:This module examines how ecological and evolutionary factors affect the survival and reproductive behaviour of animals. The role of ecological and evolutionary selection pressures to maximise inclusive fitness in wild animals is stressed. Particular emphasis is placed on the design and interpretation of a behavioural time budget study on zoo animals.