Fall 2015
Animal Behavior (Zool 4312/5312)
Tuesday and Thursday 9:30-10:50
Lecture Room: Biology 106
Texts: Introduction to Behavioral Ecology
Course Description
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why did that animal do that?” There are many levels at which we could seek answers, running from proximal mechanisms (firing neurons and hormonal stimulus) through ultimate mechanisms (the evolutionary selective pressures which produce adaptive behavior). This course is primarily about the latter. In it we seek answers to why organisms evolved various mating strategies, what accounts for differences in sexual characteristics and mate choice among males and females, how organisms use signals, the information they contain, whether they signal honest information or whether we expect to see cheaters within populations, conflicts of interest between siblings, parents and offspring, males and females, and so on. We explore these questions through evolutionary game theory, which provides the underlying framework for understanding the evolution of animal behavior. Games are simple: they contain two or more players, strategies, a set of rules, and payoffs – like any ordinary game most people are familiar with. But to be correctly considered as an evolutionary game they must include frequency-dependence – a technical term for the observation that your best move depends on what your opponent does. These simple phenomena can be used to explore and explain the diversity of behaviors in the animal world.
Expected Learning Outcomes: After completion of the course students will:
Methods of Assessing Learning Outcomes: Exams, homework assignments, and class discussions.
Grading (the following is the approximate breakdown of grading by assignments/exams, and I reserve the right to make adjustments to this breakdown during the semester):
70% through 4 exams (3 in class and one final exam)
15% on two assignments: behavioral games 1 and 2
15% quizzes – Frequent in class questions
Grading scale: A > 90%; B > 80%; C > 70%; D > 60%; F < 60%
Course Outline
Section 1: Introduction to Animal Behavior; Tinbergen’s 4 whys; Proximate versus
ultimate causes; Learning and illustration using brood parasitism
Section 2: Evolution and adaptation; Game Theory and the ESS
Section 3: Evolution of Cooperation and Kin selection; Prisoners Dilemma,
Reciprocal Altruism
Section 4: Sexual Selection, Mate Choice, Mating Systems and Strategies
Exam I: Material through sexual selection)
Section 5: Games of conflict: Hawk-dove games; War of attrition
Section 6: Finding food and avoiding predators, Cooperative hunting
Exam II: Material through cooperative hunting)
Section 7: Living in groups; Cooperative breeding, Coalitions
Section 8 Family matters: Parental investment, Parent-offspring conflict
Section 9: Animal signals, Communication, and Eavesdropping
Exam III: (Material through eavesdropping)
Section 10: Image scoring, Eavesdropping, and Social Evolution in Humans
Special accommodation
ADA statement: Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary arrangements. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services during the instructor’s office hours. Please note instructors are not allowed to provide classroom accommodations to a student until appropriate verification from Student Disability Services has been provided. For additional information, you may contact the Student Disability Services office in 335 West Hall or 806-742-2405.
Statement about observance of religious holidays: A student who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention known in writing to the instructor prior to the absence. A student who is absent for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an exam or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence.
Academic Honesty: It is the student’s responsibility to conduct him/herself in a civil manner while in the classroom. Please consult the university policy on and academic honesty (OP 34.12) and civility.
Animal Behavior (Zool 4312/5312)
Tuesday and Thursday 9:30-10:50
Lecture Room: Biology 106
Texts: Introduction to Behavioral Ecology
Course Description
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why did that animal do that?” There are many levels at which we could seek answers, running from proximal mechanisms (firing neurons and hormonal stimulus) through ultimate mechanisms (the evolutionary selective pressures which produce adaptive behavior). This course is primarily about the latter. In it we seek answers to why organisms evolved various mating strategies, what accounts for differences in sexual characteristics and mate choice among males and females, how organisms use signals, the information they contain, whether they signal honest information or whether we expect to see cheaters within populations, conflicts of interest between siblings, parents and offspring, males and females, and so on. We explore these questions through evolutionary game theory, which provides the underlying framework for understanding the evolution of animal behavior. Games are simple: they contain two or more players, strategies, a set of rules, and payoffs – like any ordinary game most people are familiar with. But to be correctly considered as an evolutionary game they must include frequency-dependence – a technical term for the observation that your best move depends on what your opponent does. These simple phenomena can be used to explore and explain the diversity of behaviors in the animal world.
Expected Learning Outcomes: After completion of the course students will:
- Have a broad knowledge and understanding of animal behavior
- Understand evolutionary games and the concept of the evolutionary stable strategy (ESS); find an ESS in a simple matrix game; apply game theory to principles of animal behavior
- Be able to discuss the traits and evolution of different reproductive strategies (male and female) and mating strategies (e.g., monogamy, polygyny)
- Understand the Prisoner’s Dilemma and Tit-for-tat as models for the evolution of cooperation
- Understand the evolution of animal signals, why they evolve, and how they are used to communication and information
Methods of Assessing Learning Outcomes: Exams, homework assignments, and class discussions.
Grading (the following is the approximate breakdown of grading by assignments/exams, and I reserve the right to make adjustments to this breakdown during the semester):
70% through 4 exams (3 in class and one final exam)
15% on two assignments: behavioral games 1 and 2
15% quizzes – Frequent in class questions
Grading scale: A > 90%; B > 80%; C > 70%; D > 60%; F < 60%
Course Outline
Section 1: Introduction to Animal Behavior; Tinbergen’s 4 whys; Proximate versus
ultimate causes; Learning and illustration using brood parasitism
Section 2: Evolution and adaptation; Game Theory and the ESS
Section 3: Evolution of Cooperation and Kin selection; Prisoners Dilemma,
Reciprocal Altruism
Section 4: Sexual Selection, Mate Choice, Mating Systems and Strategies
Exam I: Material through sexual selection)
Section 5: Games of conflict: Hawk-dove games; War of attrition
Section 6: Finding food and avoiding predators, Cooperative hunting
Exam II: Material through cooperative hunting)
Section 7: Living in groups; Cooperative breeding, Coalitions
Section 8 Family matters: Parental investment, Parent-offspring conflict
Section 9: Animal signals, Communication, and Eavesdropping
Exam III: (Material through eavesdropping)
Section 10: Image scoring, Eavesdropping, and Social Evolution in Humans
Special accommodation
ADA statement: Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary arrangements. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services during the instructor’s office hours. Please note instructors are not allowed to provide classroom accommodations to a student until appropriate verification from Student Disability Services has been provided. For additional information, you may contact the Student Disability Services office in 335 West Hall or 806-742-2405.
Statement about observance of religious holidays: A student who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention known in writing to the instructor prior to the absence. A student who is absent for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an exam or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence.
Academic Honesty: It is the student’s responsibility to conduct him/herself in a civil manner while in the classroom. Please consult the university policy on and academic honesty (OP 34.12) and civility.