University of Liege | Version française
Study programmes 2010-2011Last update : 11/04/2011
BIOL0809-1  Ecophysiology, ethology
Duration :  40h Th, 30h Pr
Credits/ECTS :  
Master in Biology of organism and ecology, in-depth approach, 1st yearFirst semester6
Master in Biology of organism and ecology, didactic approach, 1st yearFirst semester6
Master in Biological SciencesFirst semester8
Holder(s) :  Mathieu Denoël, Claire Périlleux, Jean‑Christophe Plumier, Pascal Poncin
Language :  French language
Course contents :  The first part of the course is devoted to plant and animal ecophysiology. The plant side is made of two chapters : 1) adaptation and physiological tolerance of abiotic stress; 2) relationships between organisms, including beneficial associations, biotic stress and allelopathy.

The animal side will mainly focus on physological responses to chemical modifications of the environment. Among other things, the effect of salinity, chemical signaling, and polutant-induced modifications (on behavior and neurobiological processes) will be examined.

The second part of the course is devoted to behavioural ecology. It gives functional explanations to the complexity of behavioural patterns exhibited in varied environmental situations. The course explains how behaviours contribute to the survival and reproductive success of individuals and how the observed tactics and strategies have been selected. Optimality and maximalisation are of primary importance in this perspective. After a general introduction (main concepts and methods in behavioural ecology), the course is divided in three main chapters: resource exploitation (optimal foraging, selection of reproductive habitat, and dispersion), reproductive systems (sexual dimorphism, mate choice, intra-sexual selection, sex roles, public information, mating systems, alternative mating tactics, and sperm competition), and interactions (parental care, life in groups, and cooperation).
Course objective :  The aim of the Ecophysiology part of the course is to illustrate how physiology of the organisms governs their relationships with their environment and between each other.

The aim of the course of ethology is to explain relations among behaviour, ecology and evolution in a perspective of optimality and selection. It consists in explaining theories in behavioural ecology on diversity of behavioural patterns and in illustrating them with empirical data from varied zoological groups.
Prerequisites :  It is useful to have bases in physiology, ecology, ethology and evolution.
Workshops :  Practicals with report in ecophysiology and/or behavioural ecology
Organization :  The lectures are given on Wednesdays during the first quadrimester. Practicals could also be given on other days for some sub-groups of students.
Written notes :  The Power-Point slides will be available in a .pdf format.

The Power-point slides and the table of contents of the lectures in behavioural ecology are available on the web site of the Behavioural Biology Unit http://www.etho.ulg.ac.be/denoel/cours.html
Assessment :  The evaluation is based on oral exams on the lectures and practicals, and also on the practicals
Contacts :  Dr Mathieu Denoël, Unité de Biologie du Comportement, Institut de Zoologie (Bât. I1), Quai van Beneden 22, 4020 Liège
E-mail: Mathieu.Denoel@ulg.ac.be

Prof. Pascal Poncin, Unité de Biologie du Comportement, Institut de Zoologie (Bât I1), Quai Van Beneden 22, 4020 Liège
E-mail : P.Poncin@ulg.ac.be

Prof. Jean-Christophe Plumier, Ecophysiologie et physiologie animale, Bât B36, avenue de l'hopital 1, 4000 Liège
E-mail: JC.Plumier@ulg.ac.be

Prof. Claire Périlleux, Laboratoire de Physiologie végétale, Bât. B22 Sart Tilman, Boulevard du Rectorat 27, 4000 Liège
E-mail: cperilleux@ulg.ac.be

Items online :  
ecophysiology, ethology
This link gives access to the web page of the ethological part of the course of ecophysiology, ethology.The lecture notes in pdf format can be downloaded individually.

A detailed table of contents, a bibliographic list and resources for the practicals are also provided.


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