ZL3061:03
Behavioural and Evolutionary Ecology
Townsville, Cairns
Prerequisites: (BS2001 or BZ2400) (MB2060 or ZL2007 or ZL2102) or permission of HoS
Inadmissable Subject Combination: ZL5061
26 lectures, 13 tutorials. Second semester.
Staff: Dr S Robson.
Ecological and behavioural systems exist within an evolutionary framework and can only be understood within this context. This subject combines the areas of evolutionary biology, ecology and behaviour and explores the methods used to examine ecological and behavioural systems within an evolutionary framework. There is a strong emphasis on understanding how to derive and test adaptationist hypotheses, through a series of case studies that include: the evolution and maintenance of sex; the use of phylogenies in comparative analysis; the organisation of complex systems; the evolution of eusociality; sexual selection and mate choice.
Learning Objectives:
- familiarity with the process of natural selection and evolution;
- understand how ecological and behavioural processes operate within an evolutionary framework;
- understand how to propose and evaluate alternative hypotheses concerning the evolution of ecological and behavioural characteristics;
- further develop written, verbal and presentation skills.
Assessment by final examination (60%); assignment (30%); tutorial performance (10%).