(in Polish) Social insects 320-ERS-1SIN
Substantive content:
Social insects are among the most intriguing organisms on our planet. The sacrifice of own reproduction in favor of fitness of other individuals posed a serious challenge to the Darwinian view of evolution. Moreover, advanced insect societies add a new level to the organization of living things, called superorganisms. During the course, students are introduced into the theoretical background explaining social phenomena in insects and other animals. The emphasis is made on the peculiarities of hymenopteran insects (ants, wasps, bees) in that respect. The general rules are exemplified with the natural history of socially primitive and advanced species. During laboratory courses, students prepare experiments demonstrating the communication systems in ants. They also use experimental setups to study the division of labor and competition between alien ant colonies. Students also practice techniques useful in the field studies of ants and learn how to recognize selected species during the trip to the nearby meadow and pine forest (filed trip available only during the summer semester).
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Student understands reciprocal relationships between organisms and their environment (KA_WG3)
Student knows and understands the unity of living systems and diversity of organisms, with particular focus on the complexity of biological phenomena and processes (KA7_WG1)
Student knows how to use the advanced laboratory tools and equipment to solve research problems (KA7_UW2)
Student can select a study method adequate to research scope, interpret results and make conclusions based on study results and literature data. (KA7_UW1)
Assessment criteria
Forms and conditions of credit:
- attendance on the lecture
- tasks completion
Bibliography
Literature:
Hölldobler, B., Wilson, E. O. 2009. The superorganism: The beauty, elegance, and strangeness of insect societies. New York: W.W. Norton.
Bourke A. F. G. 1995. Social Evolution in Ants, Franks N. F. Monographs in Behavior and Ecology. Princenton University Press
Czechowski W., Radchenko A., Czechowska W. 2002. The ants of Poland. Museum and Institute of Zoology Polish Academy of Sciences.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: