Zool 4312/5312 – Animal Behavior
Fall 2015
Prof. Ken Schmidt
416 Biology
742-2723
kenneth.schmidt@ttu.edu
SYLLABUS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Section 1 (3-4 lectures): Introduction to Animal Behavior; Tinbergen’s 4 whys; Proximate versus
ultimate causes; Learning and illustration using brood parasitism
Section 2 (2-3 lectures): Evolution and adaptation; Game Theory and the ESS
Section 3 (2-3 lectures): Evolution of Cooperation and Kin selection; Prisoners Dilemma,
Reciprocal Altruism, Cooperative breeding
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Exam I: First 3 sections
Section 4 (4 lectures): Sexual Selection, Mate Choice, Mating Systems and Strategies
Section 5 (2 lectures): Games of conflict: Hawk-dove games; War of attrition
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Section 6 (3 lectures): Finding food and avoiding predators, Cooperative hunting
Section 7 (3 lectures): Animal signals, Communication, and Eavesdropping
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Section 8 (2 lectures): Image scoring, Eavesdropping, and Social Evolution in Humans
Section 9 (2 lectures): Family matters: Parental investment, Parent-offspring conflict
Lecture Room: Biology 106; Tuesday and Thursday 9:30-10:50
Texts: Introduction to Behavioral Ecology
Website: http://www.biol.ttu.edu/faculty/kschmidt/default.aspx?page=14
Office Hours:
Ken Schmidt: I have an open door policy and will meet with students anytime I do not have a
conflict. So you are welcome to stop by anytime. However, I recommend contacting me (after
class time or via email) ahead of time to be sure I will be in the office.
Andrea Reinhardt: TBD
Course Outline
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
behaviors through natural selection). This course is primarily about the latter. In it we seek
answers to why organisms evolve 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 behaviors. 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 a 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:
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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% assignments – at least 2 assignments (possibly 1 more) will be distributed in class
15% quizzes – Frequent (8-10 for the semester). These are take home ‘quizzes’ for which you can
use your notes and textbook. However, to receive credit you MUST be present in class to pick up
the quiz. You will receive zero points for an unexcused absence. We will drop the lowest 1
(perhaps 2) quiz scores (this includes a score of zero for an absence).
Grading scale: A = > 90%; B = > 80%; C = > 70%; D = > 60%; F = < 60%
Conduct in the class and 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
civility (OP) and academic honesty (OP 34.12).
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 at 335 West Hall or 806-742-2405.