Ethology

A.Y. 2023/2024
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
BIO/05 BIO/07
Language
Italian
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.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Study of behaviour: proximate and ultimate causes of animal behaviourcompeting hypotheses, observations, 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
Life in a group, altruism and sociality: cooperation, kin selection, eusociality
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
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.
BIO/05 - ZOOLOGY
BIO/07 - ECOLOGY
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor: Romano Andrea
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)