Ethology

Paper Code: 
ZOL-614
Credits: 
3
Contact Hours: 
45.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Objectives

The course Objective is to provide students with a basic understanding of:

  1. Ethology; Diversity of animal behaviour
  2. Concepts of Ethology
  3. Mammalian Nervous system and behaviour
  4. Methods of studying brain and behaviour
  5. Social organization of different animals
  6. Types of communication in animal
  7. Migration and Orientation
  8.  Reproductive behaviour patterns
  9. Biological rhythms
  10. Learning and memory

 

Learning outcomes-

 

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

 

  1. Know the importance of Ethology and Diversity of animal behaviour
  2. Learn Concepts and patterns  of Ethology
  3. Understand correlation between Mammalian Nervous system and behaviour
  4. Gain knowledge about Methods of studying brain and behaviour , Social organization of different animals, types of communication used among animal.
  5. Understand the mechanism of Migration and Orientation in bird and fishes and even in small invertebrates.
  6. Learn about various Reproductive behaviour patterns among animals, Biological rhythms and types of Learning and memory.
9.00
Unit I: 
UNIT I

Introduction of Ethology:-

  • Objectives of Ethology
  • Diversity of animal behaviour
  • Historical perspective

Concepts of Ethology

  • Fixed Action Pattern
  • ASE
  • Sign Stimulus
  • Innate Releasing Mechanism

Flush Toilet Model

9.00
Unit II: 
UNIT II

Mammalian Nervous system and behaviour

Methods of studying brain and behaviour

  • Neuroanatomical.
  •  Neurochemical
  • Neurophysiological.

Human Brain and behavior

9.00
Unit III: 
UNIT III

Social organization

  • Dominance hierarchies and Territoriality

Animal communication

  • Dance language of Honey bee
  • Chemical
  •  Visual.
  • Light.
  • Audio
9.00
Unit IV: 
UNIT IV

Migration: Fish ,Birds

Orientation: Taxes and Kinesis

Reproductive behaviour patterns:

  • Courtship and Mating
  • Stickleback behaviour
  • Parental care

Biological rhythms

Circadian and annual rhythms

9.00
Unit V: 
UNIT V

Learning and memory

  • Conditioning
  • Habituation
  • Trial and error
  • Imprinting

 

  • Insight learning
  • Association learning
  • Reasoning
Essential Readings: 
  • 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.
Academic Year: 
2019-2020
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