Etologi

Module title SBEP6038 Ethology
Semester(s) 4th Semester
Person responsible Dr. Abdullah, M.Si.
Language Indonesian, English
Relation to curriculum Elective module in Ecology. This course focuses on the study of animal behavior (ethology), including its mechanisms, evolution, and ecological significance. It supports students in developing observational and analytical skills related to behavioral patterns and adaptive strategies in animals.
Teaching methods Lecture, discussion
Workload 2 x 45 hours per semester, comprising:
✔ 100 minutes lecture and discussion per week
✔ 120 minutes structured tasks per week
✔ 120 minutes independent learning per week
Credit points 2 SKS = 3.34 ECTS (90 hours)
Prerequisites –
Module objectives ✔ Understand the definition, scope, and approaches of ethology, including behavioral mechanisms and scientific methodology
✔ Explain animal behavior patterns, migration, causal factors, and sexual selection
✔ Describe social behavior, including group dynamics, hierarchy, and parental investment, and conduct field observations
✔ Apply cost-benefit concepts and behavioral strategies (hawks, scroungers, doves), and explain aggression patterns
Content This course focuses on the observation and analysis of animal behavior from both proximate and ultimate perspectives.

Main topics:
➢ Introduction and scope of ethology
➢ Natural selection and behavior
➢ Social behavior: group living, hierarchy, parental investment
➢ Mating systems and territorial behavior
➢ Conservation and behavior
➢ Dispersal and ecological connectivity
➢ Mechanisms of behavior (neural, hormonal, cognition)
➢ Development of behavior (genetics, environment, learning)
➢ Communication and signaling
➢ Sexual selection
➢ Aggression and escape behavior
➢ Behavioral strategies (hawks, bullies, doves)
➢ Sleeping and nesting behavior
Exams and assessment formats Written examination
Assessment Participatory Activities: 50%
Assignment: 10%
Quiz: 10%
Exam 1: 30%
Exam 2: –
Recommended Literature 1. Dugatkin, A. F. (2020). Principles of animal behavior (4th ed.). University of Chicago Press.
2. Barnard, C. (2004). Animal behavior: Mechanism, development, function and evolution. Pearson Prentice Hall.
3. Jensen, P. (Ed.). (2017). Ethology of domestic animals: An introductory text (3rd ed.). CABI.
4. Camhi, J. M. (2005). Neuroethology. Sinauer Associates Inc.
5. Asdal, K., Druglitrø, T., & Fritzbøger, M. (2024). Three ethologies: Rebuilding human–animal relationships. University of Chicago Press.
6. Breed, M. D. (2017). Conceptual breakthroughs in ethology and animal behavior. Academic Press.
7. Garcia-Loya, E. Y., Lopez-Nava, I. H., & Reyes-Meza, V. (2026). What are we measuring? Differentiating animal actions, activities, activity level, and behavior in computational ethology. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 300, 107014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2026.107014
8. Birkhead, T., & Schulze-Hagen, K. (2024). A new foundation for the study of bird behaviour: Konrad Lorenz’s “Kumpan” paper of 1935. Journal of Ornithology, 165, 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-023-02105-4
9. Wray, R. E., Barton, S. A., & Hecht, E. E. (2026). Assessing canine attachment: Divergence between C-BARQ scores and observed behavior in a laboratory test. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 299, 106959. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106959
10. Walker, M. K., Hall, N. J., & Aviles-Rosa, E. O. (2026). Constituents of human scent as perceived by wilderness search and rescue area dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 300, 107033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2026.107033
11. Quinn, R., Masters, S., Starling, M., Zaki, S., Mills, K., White, P., Thomson, P., Arhant, C., & McGreevy, P. (2026). Cross sectional survey: Owner-reported influences on dogs’ opportunities to chew. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 297, 106927. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106927
12. Santos, T. S., Dillmann, J. B., Giovelli, M., Elias, G. O., Lima, R. K., Cescon, S., Stainki, D. R., Santos, R. C., Corrêa, C., & Monteiro, S. G. (2026). Maggot therapy in horses with traumatic wounds caused by wire fences: Case reports. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 158, 105802. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105802
13. Lenkei, R., Faragó, T., Bakos, V., Zsilák, B., & Pongrácz, P. (2026). Measuring judgement bias in non-human animals – Could a new, body size awareness-based paradigm be the practical answer? Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 299, 106981. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106981
14. Damasceno, J., Viana-Junior, A. B., Avelino, C. D., Schork, I. G., Passos, L. F., Young, R. J., & Azevedo, C. S. (2026). Multifactorial drivers of house-soiling behaviour in domestic cats (Felis catus): Effects of social environment, management, care and health. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 301, 107020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2026.107020
Date of Amendment January 2025