Ethology

Manage the terminology and study methodologies of ethology. Understand the causal mechanisms of animal behavior. Explain the basic concepts and processes of behavioral evolution and ecology. Describe the main behaviors of animals in relation to the exploitation of resources, sociability and reproduction. Apply the study of animal behavior to conservation.

• THEORY PROGRAM (25 H)

1) Causality and learning (4 h). Causal mechanisms of behavior. Influence of internal and external factors. Ontogeny and phylogeny of animal behavior. Learning.
2) Exploitation of resources (6 h). Trophic behavior. Decision making: optimal foraging models. Competition for resources. Models. Evolutionarily stable strategies. Predator-prey interactions. Games theory. Coevolution and arms races.
3) Sociability (8 hours). Life in groups. Communication. Signals and their types. Information. Ritualization.
4) Reproduction (6h). Mating systems. Sexual selection. Parental care.
5) Conservation (1 h). Behavioral ecology and conservation.

• SEMINARS (4 H)

Methods of studying behavior.
• FIELD PRACTICES (10 H)

Study of aspects of tetrapod behavior.

• MANDATORY TUTORSHIPS (2 HORAS/STUDENT)

Oriented to the design and execution of practical work and the resolution of doubts.
Contents of the tutorships:

Tutorship 1: Concretion of the practical work. Where to look for bibliography. Field work planning. Project Preparation (1,5 h).

Tutorship 2: Guidelines for the analysis of the collected information. Resolution of doubts (0,5 h).

EXAM (2 H)

It will cover the contents taught in the expository classes and seminars.

BASIC
BOLHUS, J.J.; GIRALDEAU, L-L. & HOGAN, J.A. 2022. The Behavior of Animals. Mechanisms, Function, and Evolution. Wiley Blackwell, Hoboken.
CARRANZA, J. (Ed.). 1994. Etología. Introducción a la Ciencia del Comportamiento. Universidad de Extremadura.
KAPPELER, P.M. 2020. Animal Behaviour. An evolutionary perspective. Springer, Cham.
KREBS, J.R. & DAVIES, N.B. 1991. Behavioural ecology. An evolutionary approach. Blakwell, London.
MAIER, R. 2001. Comportamiento animal. Un enfoque evolutivo y ecológico. McGraw-Hill.
ALCOCK, J. 2009. Animal Behavior. An evolutionary approach. Sunderland, Mass., Sinauer Associates
COMPLEMENTARY
BATESON, P. & MARTIN, P. 1993. Measuring behaviour. An introductory guide. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
LEHNER, P.N. 1996. Handbook of Ethological Methods. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

- Knowledge/contents: Con04
- Abilities/skills: H/D01, H/D02, H/D03, H/D07, H/D08
- Competencies: Comp01, Comp02, Comp05, Comp06

The teaching methodology will be based on theoretical (master) classes, seminars and practical field classes. All these activities will be face-to-face. Master classes, tutorships and field practices will be mandatory.
The tutorials will be face-to-face and will be oriented both to the resolution of doubts and to the preparation and development of experimental practical work.
The basic information on the contents of the subject, as well as the complementary material useful for the personal work of the students will be provided through the Virtual Campus of the USC.

In cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or tests, the provisions of the Regulations for evaluating the academic performance of students and reviewing grades will apply. The distribution by different means (for example, web pages) and without the teacher's consent, of any teaching material posted in the virtual classroom is also strictly prohibited.

The completion of a face-to-face final test (50% of the final grade) is combined with continuous assessment through attendance control (5% final grade) and writing of individual work related to the experimental part of the subject (45% final grade).

For students enrolled for the first time, the following criteria will be followed at the first opportunity:
a) Master classes. Attendance will be documented through a sign-in sheet. Attendance at master classes, seminars and personalized tutorials will weigh up to 5% in the final grade for the subject.
b) Field practices. They will be compulsory attendance, being their completion a necessary requirement for passing the subject.
c) Seminars. The content taught in the seminars will be evaluated in the subject exam. Attendance will be documented through a sign-in sheet.
d) Small group tutorships. They will be mandatory. Attendance will be documented through a sign-in sheet.
e) Final exam. Mandatory. It will include the evaluation of the matter taught in the expository classes and seminars. It will weigh 50% in the final grade of the subject.
f) Individual practical work. It will correspond to a compulsory written work, related to the samplings carried out in the field practices. It will weigh 45% in the final grade of the subject.

- Exam: Con04
- Continuous assessment: H/D01, H/D02, H/D03, H/D07, H/D08, Comp01, Comp02, Comp05, Comp06

Students who do not pass the subject due to not carrying out (without justification) any of the compulsory activities will receive a maximum grade of 4.5 (failed). Obtaining a minimum grade of 5 points in the final exam and in the individual practical work will be a necessary, although not sufficient, condition for passing the subject. Except for exams, numerical grades with a value of ≥ 5 may be kept for the two academic years following the one in which they were obtained. In case of not passing the practical part (note less than 5 points), the exam mark (≥ 5 points) may be kept for the following academic year. In this case, to complete the approval of the subject, the student must submit a new practical work that obtains a grade equal to or greater than 5 points.

Second opportunity
The same criteria of the first opportunity will apply.
Repeat students have the same evaluation system as first-enrollment students.

CLASSROOM WORK HOURS WORK, INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP HOURS
Master classes 25 Individual study 53,5
Field practices 10 Elaboration of works 16
Seminars 4
Mandatory tutorships 2
Exam 2
CLASSROOM WORK 43 PERSONAL WORK 69,5

Assistance to all teaching activities.
• Consultation of the recommended bibliography.
• Frequent use of tutorships for any type of issue related to the subject.

All the documents related to the subject will be available to the student through the Moodle platform. The channels of communication with the teacher, in addition to face-to-face, will be email and the MS-teams application.