2016/2017

2018/2019

DM270

BIO/05 (ZOOLOGY)

DEPARTMENT OF EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

NATURAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES

PERCORSO COMUNE

3°

1st semester (01/10/2018 - 18/01/2019)

6

52 lesson hours

Italian

WRITTEN TEST

BOGLIANI GIUSEPPE (titolare) - 5 ECTS
SACCHI ROBERTO - 1 ECTS

Basic knowledge of animal biology, zoology, animal physiology, genetics.

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A brief history of Ethology
The causes of the behaviour. Instincts; fixed action patterns; stimuli; conjurers; supernormal stimuli; the Lorenz model.
Non-associative learning (habituation, sensitization); associative learning (Pavlovian classical conditioning, instrumental conditioning, reinforcement); complex learning; social learning (social facilitation, local enhancement, imitation, imprinting).
Ontogeny of behaviour.
Animal migration. Orientation in space.
The adaptive value of behaviour. Game theory. Cost/benefit analysis. The comparative method. Life history theory and r and K strategies. Parental investment. Adaptations in animal behaviour. Reproductive strategies. The reproductive systems. Choice and sexual selection. Social behaviour. Territorial behaviour. Altruism and kin-selection.
The course includes two excursions. One in a research station on bird migration, during which students observe study techniques of bird ringing. The second in the Gran Paradiso National Park, Italian Alps, where observations are carried out on social and reproductive behavior of the Alpine chamois and the Alpine ibex.

Lectures, seminars held by specialists, field excursion

Text provided by the teacher or book: Alcock John. Etologia. Un approccio evolutivo. Zanichelli Ed. 2007. ISBN 978-8808-06799-9

Written exam

Written exam