Course teached as: B016169 - SOCIOBIOLOGIA Second Cycle Degree in BIOLOGY Curriculum DEL COMPORTAMENTO
Teaching Language
Italian
Course Content
Evolution of social behaviour and related theories. Levels of selection. Characteristics of the various social groups from microorganisms and insects to Vertebrates. Superorganisms. Symbiosis and social networks.
Wilson E.O. Sociobiologia. Zanichelli.
Gadagkar. Survival strategies
Research articles
Learning Objectives
Knolewdge acquired: Evolution of social behaviour in animals and other organisms. Benefits and costs of sociality. Main theories on the origin and evolution of biological altruism. Beyond the organism concept.
Competence acquired
To frame the diversity phenomena of sociality in organisms inside an evolutionary background.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
To discuss the different roles of individuals inside social groups. To evaluate the integration of organisms in complex biological networks and acquisition of the concept of multi-level selection.
Prerequisites
Courses required: none
Courses recommended: Ecoethology, Special Entomology, Primatology, Ethology of Primates
Teaching Methods
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...): 150
Hours reserved to private study and other indivual formative activities: 100
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 40
Contact hours for: Laboratory (hours):
Contact hours for: Laboratory-field/practice (hours): 8
Seminars (hours): 2
Stages: 0
Intermediate examinations: 0
Further information
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab: the frequency is recommended due to the discussion of selected research articles beyond the handbook. Moreover, the frequency to the practical activities and vision of commented videos is strongly recommended.
Teaching tools: integrative notes and papers related to the program on web.
Practical demonstrations on the methods for the study of animal communication will be organized.
Office hours:
In via Romana 17, upon agreement by e-mail.
Type of Assessment
oral examination on a topic selected by the student, and questions from the program
Course program
Course Contents (detailed programme):
Life in group: pros and cons of sociality. Types of social groups. From solitary to eusociality. Altruism.
Mutualism and Kin selection.
Reciprocal altruism.
Mechanisms of social integration.
Mechanisms of recognition.
Ontogeny of social behaviour.
Social behaviour in primates.
Social behaviour in Insects. The “superorganisms”.
Social networks and symbiosis: beyond the concept of organism.
The evolution of sociality: old and modern theories.
Notes on human sociobiology