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551-0651-00L 2 Credits MSC D-HEST , D-BIOL
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Frontiers in Animal Behaviour

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Barbara König
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:13:26

Abstract

We will present and discuss current problems in animal behaviour from an evolutionary perspective. The topics we will deal with cover the fields of cooperation and conflict, behavioural physiology, sociogenetics, intraspecific communication and social cognition.

Objective

Within animal societies individuals often cooperate, despite a variety of evolutionary conflicts of interest (due to individuals not being genetically identical). Students should gain an understanding of the ultimate and proximate factors that cause, modify, structure and stabilize social interactions.

Content

Direct/indirect/kin selection, direct/indirect/inclusive fitness, altruism, selfishness, spite, mutualism, communication, cognition, reproductive skew, conflicts among relatives, behavioural physiology, social endocrinology, sociogenetics

Resources

Lecture Notes

none

Literature

1) Alcock, J (2005) Animal Behavior. An Evolutionary Approach. 8th edition. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, Massachusetts. 2) Bradbury, JW & Vehrencamp, SL (1998) Principles of Animal Communication. Sinauer, Sunderland Massachusetts. 3) Dugatkin, LA (ed.) (2001) Model Systems in Behavioral Ecology: Integrating Conceptual, Theoretical, and Empirical Approaches. Princeton University Press, Princeton NJ. 4) Gadagkar, R (1998) Survival Strategies. Cooperation and Conflict in Animal Societies. Harvard University Press, Harvard. 5) Krebs, JR & Davies, NB (1997) Behavioural Ecology. An Evolutionary Approach. 4th edition. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Frontiers in Animal Behaviour
**Kurs an der UNI Zürich**
  • Mon 10:15-12:00 (Y23 G 04)
2 h weekly

Offered In