Animal Social and Sexual Behaviour
Some of the most amazing behaviours we see in the animal kingdom centre around social and sexual behaviours. Social behaviours occur whenever animals interact with members of their own species, leading to aggressive or cooperative behaviours in animals, collective movement of animal groups, and amazing examples of complex social organisations. Sexual behaviours are similarly complex, with animals traveling across the world's oceans and continent to find a mate and using exaggerated visual, vocal and chemical signals to get the attention of a potential mate or fight off rivals. This course highlights these amazing behaviours to provide a mechanistic and evolutionary understanding of how and why animals perform social and sexual behaviours.
Teaching Format
The course will consist of lectures covering core concepts in mate choice, reading assignments of scientific literature, weekly discussions, and give students insights into how researchers apply the scientific method to study social and sexual behaviours.
Assessment
Students will be assessed using examinations, oral presentations, written reports and class participation.
Examiner
John Fitzpatrick
E-mail: john.fitzpatrick@zoologi.su.se
No mandatory course literature.
