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Behavioral Ecology (Biology 140)
Fall 2014, MWF 02:00PM-03:10PM, Kresge Clrm 321
http://bio.research.ucsc.edu/~barrylab/Ammon/behavioral_ecology/
Instructor:
Ammon Corl
Email: corl@ucsc.edu
Office Hours: M 3:30-4:30, W 3:30-4:30
Location: EMS A419
Teaching Assistants: Ashley Robart
robart@ucsc.edu
Office hours: Monday 12:30-1:30 PM, Tuesday 12:30-1:30 PM
Location for office hours: EMS D450
Pauline Blaimont
pblaimon@ucsc.edu
Office hours: Tuesday 10:00-11:00 AM, Wednesday 9:15-10:15 AM
Location for office hours: EMS D450
Course Description: Behavioral ecology studies the evolutionary and ecological basis of behavior. In
this class we will explore the proximate causes and ultimate functions of animal behavior utilizing case
studies for illustration. We will cover theories from evolutionary biology, ecology, and game theory
that make predictions about animal behavior. For each theory, we will learn about specific
experiments and observations that support the theory, which will illustrate how to test hypotheses in
behavioral ecology. We will also consider the role of behavior in shaping evolutionary and ecological
processes. Finally, we will consider how behavioral ecology helps us understand human behaviors.
Text: There are no required texts. However, if you learn better using a text, many of the subjects
discussed in class are covered well the fourth edition of An Introduction to Behavioural Ecology by
Krebs and Davies and West. This textbook is good optional reading for the class. An additional
textbook from what I have used when designing the class is Animal Behavior by John Alcock.
Extra Credit: Extra credit points will be available on the final based on reading the book King
Solomon’s Ring by Konrad Lorenz. This is a classic work on animal behavior that reads like a novel,
and it is a very fun book to read. Konrad Lorenz is the scientist who studied imprinting in duck
hatchlings (you may have seen pictures of him on his farm trailing his brood). This book is a mustread for future behaviorists!
Writing Assignments: There will be four short written assignments. For the first three assignments,
students will be asked to read two scientific papers. Then they will be asked to discuss the papers in
light of the subjects discussed in class within an essay of 1.5-2 pages. The fourth assignment (3 pages)
will involve each student conducting behavioral observations of an animal species of their choice.
They will then come up with hypotheses about the observed behavior and describe how these
hypotheses could be tested. The goal of the fourth assignment is to have students be able to apply the
course material to animal behavior that they observe. The overall goal of the assignments is to give
students a greater understanding of the subjects covered in class and how hypotheses in behavioral
ecology are tested. These assignments should be typed, single-spaced, normal margins, 12 pt font, and
standard essay format unless otherwise noted. Assignments are due at the beginning of lecture on the
days specified (see below for the due dates). Late papers will not be accepted (with exception to
students with valid excuses). We will discuss the details regarding individual assignments in class.
Sections: The goal of the sections for this class will be to give students the chance to explore the
topics covered in the class in greater detail. Sections assignments will often involve reading papers
from the primary scientific literature in order to learn how to evaluate, critique, and discuss behavioral
ecology research. Sections will also involve hands-on class exercises and field trips to explore animal
behavior.
Exams: The midterm and final will be mostly based on the lecture material, but questions may also be
asked about the section readings. The final will focus on the material covered in the second half of the
course. However, a good understanding of material from the first half of the course is needed for the
final, since material in the second half of the quarter builds upon first half. Study questions will be
provided each week on the course website to help you prepare for the exams. Many students have
found that writing out the answers to the study questions greatly helps them prepare for the test. Test
questions will typically consist of short-answer questions that follow the format of the study questions.
Academic Integrity: All forms of academic misconduct should be avoided. According to UCSC
principles: “Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, or
facilitating academic dishonesty.” Please see http://www.ue.ucsc.edu/academic_integrity and
http://www.ue.ucsc.edu/ai_policy-1 for more details. The rule for this class is all assignments and tests
should reflect your own understanding and written expression of the course material. You will
automatically receive zero credit for any exam on which you cheat, or any paper that includes
plagiarized material. Please talk with the instructor or the teaching assistants if you have any questions
about what constitutes plagiarism. The website http://www.plagiarism.org/ is also a source for showing
what constitutes plagiarism and ways to prevent it through proper citation of sources. Repeated cases
of cheating or plagiarism will be referred to the administration and may result in failure of the class or
dismissal from the University.
Class Grade Breakdown:
Section Participation: 10% of your grade.
Assignments: 40% of your grade (assignments 1, 2, and 3 = 9% of your grade; assignment 4
= 13% of your grade).
Midterm:
25% of your grade.
Final:
25% of your grade.
***The syllabus below may be updated as we move through the course, so please check the webpage
for the most current schedule of topics.
Lecture Schedule
Week
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Finals
week
Month
October
October
October
October
October
October
October
Day
3
6
8
10
13
15
17
Topic
Intro and History of Behavioral Ecology
How to test hypotheses in behavioral ecology
Natural selection on behavior
Genetic and Environmental effects on behavior
Learning and behavior
Economic decisions of individuals
Sexual selection- male-male competition
October
October
October
October
October
October
November
November
November
November
November
November
20
22
24
27
29
31
3
5
7
10
12
14
Sexual selection- female choice
Mating systems
Mating systems and sexual conflict
Using phylogenies to understand behavior
Development, genes, environment, and behavior
Competition
Assessment and fighting
Midterm (material from 10-3 to 11-3)
Living in groups
Evolution of social behavior
Cooperation
Kin selection
November
November
November
November
November
November
December
December
17
19
21
24
26
28
1
3
December
5
December
December
December
8
10
12
Cooperation and conflict in social insects
Communication and Signals 1
Communication and Signals 2
Sex allocation
Sex allocation
Thanksgiving
Family conflicts
Parental Care
Predators and prey: crypsis, apostematism,
mimicry
Predators and prey: crypsis, apostematism,
mimicry
Behavior and speciation
Human behavioral ecology
December
16
Final: Tuesday, Dec 16th at 7:30-10:30 pm
Assignment Schedule
Week
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Finals
week
Month
October
October
October
October
Day
3
6
8
10
October
October
October
13
15
17
October
October
October
October
October
October
November
November
November
November
November
November
20
22
24
27
29
31
3
5
7
10
12
14
November
November
November
November
November
November
December
December
17
19
21
24
26
28
1
3
December
5
December
December
December
8
10
12
December
16
Section assignments
Class
assignments
The Bean Game
Section Reading: Shizuka and Lyon 2010 Coots
use hatch order to learn to recognize and reject
conspecific brood parasitic chicks
Assignment 1 due
Section Reading: West 2002 Sexual selection,
temperature, and the lion's mane
Animal observation field trip
Assignment 2 due
Review for midterm
No sections but Animal observations on your own
Holiday: Veterans Day Tues Nov 11
Section Reading: Flower 2014 Deception by
Flexible Alarm Mimicry in an African Bird
Assignment 3 due
No sections (research for assignment 4)
Animal observation section feedback
Assignment 4 due
Review for final