Molec Tech in Behavioral Biol

Catalog description

With a major focus on DNA methodologies, the class explores the application of such techniques in the evolutionary study of Behavioral Biology, especially animal mating behavior and sexual selection. For the laboratory component, students will learn and perform the molecular and computational tools used by behavioral biologists in paternity analysis and molecular identification. These modern research methods will be considered in the context of important questions in sexual selection and mating system evolution. Topics include sexual selection, sexual conflict, sperm competition, promiscuity, female mate choice, female sperm choice, and ejaculate-female interactions.