Behavioral ecology

Behavioral Ecology approaches the study of behavior from an evolutionary perspective to study the mechanisms, function, and contribution of behavior to evolutionary and ecological processes. The work carried out in Behavioral Ecology helps to understand other phenomena observed in other disciplines of life biology, because all animals, from unicellulars to the most complex vertebrates, exhibit behaviors.

The module allows students to be exposed to the different basic concepts, as well as to the multitude of tools that can be used (observations and experiments in natural populations or on captive individuals, comparative analyses, use of tools from modeling, ecophysiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, embedded electronics...). Part of the training is based on specific discussions on the research approaches that can be used, the tools used and the limits of inferences that can be made. An active participation of the students will be required at these different levels, notably through critical discussions of articles.

The topics covered range from the exploration of food procurement strategies, mate choice, habitat choice, investment in reproduction, to the study of animal communication and the reasons for living in groups. The historical dimension of the discipline is addressed in the introduction, but also according to the sensibility of the speakers and the themes addressed (meaning and relations between 'Animal Behaviour', 'Ethology', Behavioral Ecology etc...).

To show the importance of ecological and evolutionary approaches in the study of animal behavior and to provide students with the means to master the basic concepts and tools of behavioral ecology. To illustrate the importance of a behavioral ecology approach for the understanding of many ecological and evolutionary processes: in particular, the contributions of behavioral ecology to disciplines such as conservation biology, population dynamics or the study of reproductive systems are illustrated and discussed. To illustrate the different facets of the work currently developed in behavioral ecology. Through the discussion of articles, students will also receive an overview of the scientific publication mechanism, the peer review process, its advantages and limitations.

To have followed the modules in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior in L1, L2, L3, M1

Final exam 100% (a 3-hour written exam)