| Unit name | Mammalian Ecology and Sociobiology |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BIOL31117 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Harris |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None. We recommend that students should normally have 120cps of appropriate Level 2 units in Biological Sciences |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Biological Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
This unit will examine in detail the evolution and radiation of the mammals, and in particular their diversity and specialisations, from a socioecological view point. The main theme of the unit will be to look at the evolution of complex social behaviour patterns and group living in the mammals and their ecological consequences. Examples will be drawn from all the major mammalian taxa. Topics to be given special consideration will be a review of mammalian social systems, the ontogeny of mammalian behaviour patterns, the evolution of parental care systems, social odours and other forms of communication in mammals, resource partitioning in selected mammalian groups, the evolution of group living and social cohesion in mammals, and primate ecology.
Aims:
On completion of the unit, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the ecological and behavioural concepts underpinning the evolution of mammalian social systems. In addition they will be able to design work programmes that will enable them to undertake their own studies of mammalian socioecology and will be aware of the impact of habitat and other changes on the viability of mammal populations. They will also have learnt how to use this information in an applied manner to manage mammal populations.
Lectures, interactive seminars/workshops and independent study.
End of year exam (100%)
Most of the lecture material for the specific subjects considered in the Unit is taken from research papers and is not covered in any one text book. For each lecture, you will receive a recently updated reading list.
As background to this Unit, you will find a range of general textbooks in the library.
