BIOL 4362 Behavioural Ecology & Cognitive Ethology
Instructor: Dr. James F. Hare: 222 Biological Sciences Building; 474-6379
e-mail: harejf@cc.umanitoba.ca
Office Hours: by appointment
Lecture: 301 Biological Sciences Building: Slot 10; T, TR 1300 - 1415 h
Text: Dugatkin, L.A. 2009. Principles of Animal Behavior, 2nd Ed.
New York, W.W. Norton & Company. 642 pp.
Supplementary Reading: Sherman, P.W. & Alcock, J. 2010. Exploring Animal Behavior –
Readings from American Scientist 5th Ed. Sunderland, Sinauer Associates, 377 pp.
**(and papers listed by major topics on course web site)
Lab/Tutorial: 201A Duff Roblin Building: Slot 21; M 1430 - 1730 h
Web Page: www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/science/zoology/faculty/hare/z428/index.html
Teaching Assistant: Ms. Angela Freeman: 116 Biological Sciences Bldg.; no office phone
e-mail: freeman.angie@gmail.com
Overview: The course builds upon principles introduced in Animal Behaviour (BIOL 3360),
addressing aspects of mating and parental behaviour at both the proximate and ultimate levels of
causation. Communication, an integral aspect of those processes, will be examined in detail,
providing further insight into the intimate relationship between behavioural evolution and the
environment. The pivotal nature of communication systems prompts a consideration of "code
breaking" in interspecific exploitation, particularly social parasitism. Further, communication
leads naturally into the topic of animal intellect, where we will explore recent developments in
the field of cognitive ethology. Throughout the course, lectures from active researchers will be
incorporated to reinforce major topics. You will also participate in three laboratory exercises that
will focus on methodological aspects of collecting, analyzing and presenting behavioural data.
Lecture Outline:
Topic
Approximate #
of Lectures
Introduction and Course Overview
Reproductive Behaviour
The Evolution of Sex
Mating Systems
Human Sexual Behaviour
Sex Change and Sex
Role Reversal
Readings From
Dugatkin 2nd Edn.
1
1
2
1
2
7 (226-244)
7 (244-248)
2
Lecture Outline: (continued)
Topic
Approximate #
of Lectures
Readings From
Dugatkin 2 nd Edn.
Sperm Competition
1
7 (248-253)
Mate Choice and
2
6 (190-221)
Sexual Selection
Adaptive Manipulation of Sex Ratio
1
Research Lecture 1
Dr. Jane Waterman: Mating Behaviour of Cape Ground Squirrels
Parental Behaviour
Parental Investment: The Basics
Parent-Offspring Conflict
and Dispersal
Cooperative Breeding
1
1
2 (62-64)
8 (280-284)
2
8 (275-279)
13 (441-444)
8 (284-286)
Parental Favoritism, Brood
1
Reduction and Siblicide
Midterm Test
Tuesday February 28th
Research Lecture 2
Dr. Scott Forbes: Parent-Offspring Conflict and the Structured Family
Communication
Reasons for Communication
1
12 (402-404)
The Evolution of Honest Signals
1
12 (404-406)
Methods of Study: Determining
1
12 (406-423)
the Function of Communication
Ritualization and the
1
Evolution of Signals
Natural Selection and
2
Signal Characteristics
Code Breaking and
2
Social Parasitism
Research Lecture 3
Dr. Spencer G. Sealy: Brood Parasitism by Brown-Headed Cowbirds
Animal Intellect
Communication and Mental
1
(Griffin reprint on reserve)
Representation: Language and
Symbolic Thought
Attribution, Intentionality
1
and Theory of Mind
Physiological Evidence of
1
Thinking
Consequences of
1
Animal Consciousness
3
Lab Exercises: Laboratory and field exercises will provide hands-on experience with data
collection, analysis, and interpretation of material within the context of themes developed in
lecture. You will work in groups of 3-4 individuals for each of the 3 exercises, with data from all
groups within the class forming replicates for analysis and written presentation. The first exercise
will be conducted over several laboratory periods and will involve the quantification of human
mating preferences, thus complementing lecture material on reproductive behaviour. Results from
that exercise will be incorporated into an assignment requiring data analysis addressing both
mechanistic and functional questions. The second exercise focuses on avian alarm
communication. You will be introduced to the study in the lab, though data will be collected in the
field and pooled to form a class data set. Those data will also form the basis of a brief assignment
where you will be required to perform statistical analyses to answer specific questions regarding
alarm communication. The final exercise will involve a field exercise conducted in a single
laboratory period, and if necessary, independent data collection. Data from that final exercise will
be employed in an assignment similar to that undertaken in the first exercise but will address
optimality and the assessment of animal cognitive abilities.
Lab Schedule:
Assignment due dates are indicated in italics: 10% will be deducted for each day an assignment
is overdue. Formal lab meetings are held only for the first lab period of each lab exercise (i.e. 9
January, 30 January and 27 February for labs 1, 2 and 3 respectively). The remaining lab
periods allotted to each exercise allow time for data collection and analysis.
 Lab 1: 9 - 30 January (201A Duff)
Human mate choice (assignment due 30 January)
 Lab 2: 30 January - 20 February (201A Duff/Field Work)
Avian alarm communication (assignment due 27 February)
 Lab 3: 27 February - 19 March (201A Duff/Field Work)
Mammalian locomotion in snow (assignment due 20 March)
Evaluation:
Lecture Midterm
Lecture Final (cumulative)
Human Mate Choice
Avian Alarm Communication
Mammalian Locomotion
30
40
10
10
10
(28 February)
(Exam Date TBA)
(due 30 January)
(due 27 February)
(due 20 March)
100
Voluntary Withdrawal Date: 16 March 2012
Academic Integrity: as per University Policy outlined at;
http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/science/undergrad/resources/webdisciplinedocuments.html
Final Grades:
≥90 = A+
80 - 89 = A
74 - 79 = B+
68 - 73 = B
62 - 67 = C+
56 - 61 = C
50 - 55 = D
<50 = F