Lecture 1 – Behavioural Ecology

Behavioural Ecology

The scientific study of behavioral phenomena in the light of ecological and evolutionary theory.

Adaptive Traits

Properties of organisms that enhance the probability of surviving and reproducing.

Adaptation

The evolutionary process by which organisms fit better into their environments or habitats.

Natural Selection

The force that drives adaptations, influencing behavioral, physiological, and structural traits.

Ethology

The study of behaviour under natural conditions, pioneered by individuals like Nikolas Tinbergen, Konrad Lorenz and Karl von Frisch

Evolutionary Biology

The study of how organisms develop, particularly through the process of natural selection

Niko Tinbergen

Known for his emphasis on observation of animals in their natural environments, the development of the four questions of ethology, and the scientific method.

Konrad Lorenz

A key figure in ethology, known for his research on imprinting, which demonstrates the importance of early experiences in shaping animal behaviour and attachments.

Karl von Frisch

A prominent ethologist known for his work on the communication of bees and his contributions to understanding sensory perception and communication in animals.