Università Roma Tre

SYLLABUS
Ethology: historical outline. Classic and operant conditioning. The three Nobel awards, founders of modern ethology: K. Lorenz, K. Von Frisch, and N. Tinbergen. Ethology, sociobiology and behavioral ecology. The evolutionary approach to the study of behaviour. Levels of analysis in the study of behaviour: questions on “how” and “why”. The study of causation and ontogenesis (proximate causes), survival value and evolution (ultimate causes).
(1) Behavioural control. Exogenous factors and endogenous factors. Sensory filtering. Stimuli and signals. Fixed action patterns, evocative stimuli, innate triggering mechanism. Biorhythms. The biological clock. The hormonal state. The behavioural decision: the motivation. Spatial orientation. Compasses. The olfactory map.
(2) Ontogenesis of behaviour. Role of genes and the environment. Behavioural endocrinology. The interactive theory of development, the organisational-activational hypothesis: development organization and sexualisation of the brain. Non-associative, associative, and complex learning. Imprinting. Behavioural control: nervous system and hormonal system.
(3) The adaptive value of behaviour. The comparative approach to the study of behaviour. Signal evolution and communication. Communication: definitions, honest communication and deception. Ritualisation. Natural and artificial selection. Predatory and anti-predatory strategies: the arms race. Reproductive and social behaviour. Optimal strategies, fitness and reproductive success. Sexuality and innovation. Darwininan and post-Darwinian sexual selection. Sexual dimorphism. Conflict strategies between sexes. Parental investment. Mating systems and social life. Sociality and group life: costs and benefits of socializing; the kin selection; altruism and evolution. Game theory.

RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS:
- AA.VV. 2022. Etologia. Lo studio del comportamento animale. UTET Università
- Alcock, J. 2007. Etologia, un approccio evolutivo. Zanichelli
TEXTBOOKS FOR FURTHER READINGS:
- Manning, A. e Stamp Dawkins, M. 2003. Il comportamento animale. Bollati Boringhieri.
- Krebs J.R. e Davies N.B. 2002. Ecologia e comportamento animale. Bollati Boringhieri
- Bolhuis, J.J. & Giraldeau, l. 2005. The behavior of animals: mechanisms, function and evolution.
- Campan, R. & Scapini, F. 2004. Etologia. Zanichelli
- Nelson, N.J. 2002. An introduction to behavioral endocrinology. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland
- Andersson, M 1994. Sexual selection. Princeton University Press
- Mainardi, D. 1992. Dizionario di etologia. Einaudi
- Martin, P. & Bateson, P. 2003. La misurazione del comportamento. Una guida introduttiva. Liguori editore

All textbooks can be found in the library

The professor receives by appointment via email: monica.carosi@uniroma3.it