ECTS
ECTS Course Catalogue
Course details
Course code: BBS20233o11Semester: 2011/2012 winter
Name: Biology and ecology of arachnids
Major: Biology
Study Type: second cycle
Course type: compulsory
Study Semester: 1
ECTS points: 5
Hours (Lectures / Tutorials / Other): 15 / 30 / 0
Lecturer: dr hab. Joanna Mąkol
Language of instruction: Polish
Learning outcomes: Completion of the course will provide the student with the theoretical knowledge of arachnid biology and ecology, sufficient to describe and interpret the behaviour of arachnids in their natural environment and under laboratory/rearing conditions.
Competences: The acquired knowledge will enable students to distinguish the main taxa of arachnids, based on characters related to biology and ecology. The competences of graduates will serve as reference in applying for a job in invertebrate units of zoological gardens.
Prerequisites: Invertebrate Zoology I and II.
Course content: Biodiversity and geographical distribution of arachnids. Living environment. Arachnids of terrestrial, amphibious and aquatic ecosystems. Dispersal and habitat selection. Physiological prerequisites of the evolutionary success – morphological adaptations and physiological backgrounds of behavior. Foraging strategies. Biology of reproduction and development. Parental care. Evolution of defense mechanisms. Inter- and infraspecific interactions. Life in groups.
Recommended literature: Beccaloni J. 2009. Arachnids. Csiro Publishing. Weygoldt P. 2000. Whip Spiders (Chelicerata: Amblypygi) Their Biology, Morphology and Systematics. Apollo Books, 163 pp. Pinto-da-Rocha R., Machado G., Giribet G. (eds). 2007. Harvestmen. The Biology of Opiliones. Harvard University Press. Krebs J. R., Davies N. B. 2001. Wprowadzenie do ekologii behawioralnej. PWN Warszawa.
Assessment methods: Obligatory course grade (minimum knowledge required – 60 %).
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