First Class Lecture notes Behaviour and Ecology

Introduction to Behaviour & Ecology…
TEXTBOOK: Alcock 2013 – Animal behaviour.

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR: IMPORTANCE:-

 Genetics, neuroscience, physiology
 Ecology, conservation, welfare
 Evolutionq

WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT BEHAVIOUR?

Behavioural research is useful – behavioural assays are used in:-

 Pharmacology (e.g. effects of drugs)
 Genetics (e.g. effects of knock-outs)
 Animal welfare and zoos
 Pest control
 Conservation and applied ecology
 Artificial intelligence
 Behavioural therapies e.g. depression

ASSESSMENT:

 Practicals 20%
 Essay: News & Views (commentary on paper) 20%
 Exam (2 essay questions) 60%

HISTORY OF THE STUDY OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR:

 Indigenous observers:
 Hunter-gatherers, shepherds, fishermen
 Their life depends on knowing the environment

 Example: Honeyguides and honey gatherers:
 Honeyguides lead Boran people to bees’ nest
 Gain for people is reduced search time:
-- Unguided: 8.9 hours/nest
-- Guided: 3.2 hours/nest
 Gain for birds:
-- Access to bees’ nests
 Borans can deduce the direction and distance to bees’ nest from the
behaviour of honeyguide birds
 Behaviour of honeyguide is modulated by the distance to bees’ nest

 Charles Darwin:
 Observation with science-based methodology
 Evolution by natural selection (1859)
 Sexual selection and mate choice (1871)
 Expression of emotions in man and animals (1872)


ETHOLOGY:

 Scientific approach to animal behaviour

 Ethologists
 described behaviour (ethogram)
 modelled behaviour, and