BIOL 387 - Ecology and Evolution of Social Behavior in Animals

Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)

Social animals are arguably the most successful multicellular organisms on the planet. Social organization exists in many animal species, but is still considerably less common than solitary or subsocial species. However, the social species dominate the planet in terms of biomass. From insects with massive supercolonies, to pack-hunting mammal predators, to the complex social structures of primates, there is great diversity in the world of sociality. In this course, we explore the massive scope of sociality in the animal world. Starting with the diversity of social behaviors, from subsocial aggregation behaviors to parental care to complex societies with strict divisions of labor. Additionally, we explore the potential evolutionary causes of sociality, the ecological implications of social behaviors, and other special topics. Hands-on classes allow students to work directly with social insects, observing their behaviors and practicing several common methods of study. The Department.

Prerequisite(s): Two units of 200-level Biology courses.

Two 75-minute periods.

Course Format: CLS