Ethology and Evolution

Paper Code: 
ZOL-601
Credits: 
3
Contact Hours: 
45.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Objectives-

To provide a course on evolutionary biology that introduces students to the major principles of evolutionary theory, and ranges from the origins of life, through the evolution of animals to the evolution of behaviour.

  • Compare and contrast Lamarck’s and Darwin’s explanations for how evolution occurs.
  •  Variation , Isolation, Speciation and Adaptation, Fossils and Study of Dinosaurs, Geological division of earth crust
  • Introduction and Concepts of Ethology,
  • Mammalian Nervous system and behaviour, Methods of studying brain and behaviour
  • Social organization of different animals, Role of pheromones in communication

Learning outcomes-

After studying this course, students should be able to:

  1. Understand the evidence that living species share descent from common ancestry and how this fact explains the traits of living species
  2. understand that evolution entails changes in the genetic composition of populations, Describe Variation , Isolation, Speciation and Adaptation, Describe Fossils and Study of Dinosaurs, Describe Geological division of earth crust
  3. Describe  importance of Ethology; Diversity of animal behaviour,Describe Concepts and patterns  of Ethology, Understand correlation between Mammalian Nervous system and behaviour
  4. Describe Methods of studying brain and behaviour, Describe the Social organization of different animals
9.00
Unit I: 
UNIT I
  • Chemical origin of Life
  • Lamarckism & Darwinism
  • Neo- Lamarckism & Neo-Darwinism

Elementary idea of Hardy-Weinberg Law(Factor affecting)

9.00
Unit II: 
UNIT II
  • Variation
  • Isolation and Speciation
  • Adaptations (Structural adaptations-Aerial ,Aquatic, Scansorial, ,Fossorial, Cursorial, Desert)

Geological division of the Earth crust

9.00
Unit III: 
UNIT III
  • Zoogeographical distribution: Principal zoogeographical regions of the world with reference to their mammalian fauna
  • Continental drift
  • Fossils, imperfection of fossil record

Study of Extinct forms: Dinosaurs, Archaeopteryx

9.00
Unit IV: 
UNIT IV
  • Introduction of Ethology (Contribution of Konrad Lorenz, Niko Tinbergen, Karl Von Frisch)
  • Concepts of Ethology: Fixed action pattern, Sign stimulus, Innate releasing mechanism, Action specific energy, motivation, imprinting & learning

Elementary idea of role of Pheromones

9.00
Unit V: 
UNIT V
  • Methods of studying brain behaviour(Laboratory): Neuroanatomical, Neurophysiological, Neurochemical techniques
  • Societies: Characteristics & advantages

Social organization : Mating strategies, societies of Ants, Deer, Monkeys and Lion

Essential Readings: 
  • Evolution, V.B.Rastogi, KedarNath, Ram Nath, Merrut.
  • Animal Behaviour; Mathur, R.; Rastogi Publications, Meerut Introduction to evolution; Moody.
References: 
  • An introduction to behaviour; Manning, A & Dawkins, M. S.; Cambridge Low Price Edition. UK.
  • Animal Behaviour, David McFarland, Pitman Publishing Ltd, London, UK.
  • Animal Behaviour, John Alcock, Sinaeur Assoc. Inc. USA.
  • Genetics and Origin of Speices. Dohnzhansky, Th., F.J.Alaya, G.L.Stebbines and J.M.Valentine. Surjeet Publication, Delhi.
  • Evolutinary Biology, Futuyamma, D.J.Suinuauer Associates, INC Publishers, Sunderland. 
  • Evolution, Barton et al.,Cold Harbor Laboratory Press, New York, USA.
  • Evolution, Hall, B. K. and Hallgrimsson, James and Bartlett Publisher, Sudbury, USA.
  • Exploring Animal Behaviour, Paul, W. Sherman and John Alcock, Sinaeur Assoc. Inc, Massachusetts, USA.
  • Genes and Evolution. JhaA.P.John Publication, New Delhi
  • Evolution and Genetics Merral, D.J.Holt, Rinchart and Winston, Inc.
  • Evolutinary Genetics. Smith,J.M. Oxford University Press, New York.
  • Evolution. Strikberger, M.W.Jones and Barlett Publishers, Boston London chordates
Academic Year: 
2019-2020
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