300010 VO Vertebrate social systems: mechanisms (2020W)

Living with conspecifics seems to be the default option in vertebrates; the basic neuronal and physiological structures and functions were conservatively maintained from the advent of gnathostome fishes till today, over at least 450 mio years of phylogeny. In the homoeothermic vertebrate phyla (birds and mammals) we see an increasing role of cognitive mechanisms in decision making and impulse control and vice versa, social complexity became an important driver of big and able brains. The course will start with an overview over the patterns of social systems in animals including humans and will mainly concentrate to the on the structures and Mechanisms employed in sociality.

The lecture offers students an overview of the different social systems in animal kingdom, mainly focusing on their structures and mechanisms. Living with conspecifics is wide spread among vertebrates. With this respect, basic neuronal and physiological structures and functions were conservatively maintained till today. In the homoeothermic vertebrate phyla (birds and mammals) we see an increasing role of cognitive mechanisms in decision making and impulse control and vice versa, with social complexity becoming an important driver of big and able brains. The course will mainly concentrate on the important structures and mechanisms common in social systems.