Behavioural ecology, communication, time and energy budgets, dominance, cooperation and conflicts, game theory

The training college starts from the basic concepts of behavioural ecology, and is as such not connected with previous training courses.

It aims at teaching the basic concepts of behavioural ecology, including the methodologies as used by recent leading research teams.

The competence of the student relates to the final attainment level of the bachelor education

1. Introduction - evolution of behavioural ecology - Tinbergen´s four whys

2. Economic decisions of an individual

- economics of food choice

- trade-off systems (feeding and danger)

- optimality models (optimal foraging)

3. Predator versus pray

- cryptic behaviour

- evolution of warning coloration

- brood parasitism

- evolutionary arms races

4. Competing for resources

- ideal free distribution

- resource defence

- economics of resource defence (optimal territory size)

5. Evolution of communication

- sensory systems and behaviour

- adaptive signalling

- honest signals

- ritualization during evolution

- chemical signals

6. Fighting and assessment

- evolution of conventional fighting

- resource value and fighting ability

- dominance

7. Game theory and signalling strategies

- evolutionary game theory

- conflict resolution

- mating games

8. Selfishness and altruism

- kin selection and reciprocity

- cooperation and conflicts in breeding groups

9. Coevolution of behavioural aspects

- enemy-victim co evolution

Knowledge of general biology and ecology is recommended. It is accepted that the student has a notion of population biology and general ecology, related to the final attainment level of the tirth bachelor education

To understand the mechanisms which determine the behaviour of an individual, a population, and a species, in contrast to others.

Mastering the elementary knowledge of basics behavioural patterns, contest behaviour, and cooperation in relation to the (variable) environment from an evolutionary point of view.

Acquire the prevailing methodologies as used by recent leading research teams in laboratory settings and environmental conditions.

Cost: 10.0 EUR

Syllabus

Datamining in `Web of Science´

Discussion facilities and questioning via personal contact, phone or email. Interactive support via `Minerva´.

Oral colleges and tutorial seminars

Periodical evaluation

Oral examination with written preparation