Coevolutionary Interactions

Module title	Coevolutionary Interactions
Module code	BIO3401
Academic year	2023/4
Credits	15
Module staff	Professor Camille Bonneaud (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	25

Module description

The evolution of one species in response to another, and reciprocal adaptation of the other species to the first, plays a central role in shaping the great diversity we see in nature. The module will examine coevolution primarily using three approaches:

experimental coevolution of species under controlled laboratory conditions;
phenotypic, molecular, genomic and ecological trait matching;
experimental tests of coevolution in the field.

Using these approaches, we will investigate how species interactions might generate and maintain diversity, drive speciation, and affect the stability of communities.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to explore the evolution and ecology of species interactions (such as host-parasite, plant-pollinator, predator-prey, and mutualistic) in order to understand how coevolution affects trait evolution and structures both biological diversity and ecosystem function.

The module is research-led and incorporates ongoing research on for example infectious diseases, plant-pollinator interactions, character displacement at CEC wherever appropriate. Throughout the module, you will reflect on whether the cases under discussion provide evidence for coevolution and will thus engage in a real life topical scientific debate.

This module will provide you with the opportunity to develop your understanding of species interactions, your ability to interpret and apply evolutionary and ecological theory, and your critical thinking skills. Furthermore, during the module you will take part in and lead group discussions, and critically evaluate the literature, all of which are skills key to future employability.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Infer patterns of species interactions through trait matching
2. Examine the traits underlying species interactions and predict how these traits evolve
3. Formulate hypotheses on how coevolution might lead to diversification and, eventually, new species
4. Design experiments to effectively test predictions of coevolution
5. Identify practical methods for the study of species interactions

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

6. Describe in detail and analyse essential facts and theory across a sub-discipline of biosciences
7. Analyse and evaluate independently a range of research-informed literature and synthesize examples from the literature into written work
8. Identify and implement, with limited guidance, appropriate methodologies and theories for solving a range of complex problems in biosciences
9. Evaluate established techniques of analysis, practical investigation, and enquiry within biosciences
10. Describe and evaluate in detail approaches to our understanding of biosciences with reference to primary literature, reviews and research articles

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

11. Devise and sustain, with little guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with sound, convincing conclusions
12. Communicate effectively arguments, evidence and conclusions using a variety of formats in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
13. Analyse and evaluate appropriate data
14. Evaluate own strengths and weaknesses in relation to graduate-level professional and practical skills, and act autonomously to develop new areas of skills as necessary
15. Reflect effectively and independently on learning experiences and evaluate personal achievements
16. Work in a small team and deal proficiently with the issues that teamwork requires (i.e. communication, motivation, decision-making, awareness, responsibility, and management skills, including setting and working to deadlines)

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

The types of coevolutionary interactions
Approaches used to examine and test coevolution
Cospeciation and diversification
Evidence from micro and macroevolution
The dynamics of coevolution
The geographic mosaic theory of coevolution
Evolution of virulence
Evolution of resistance
Levels of coevolution
Multi-species coevolution
Community coevolution

You will work in groups to research and lead discussion on a different topic each week.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
16	134	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching	9	Lectures and group activities covering all the material outlined above
Scheduled learning and teaching	7	Group-led discussion of key papers/topics
Guided independent study	134	Additional reading, research and preparation for module assessments

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Contribution to group discussion	1 hour	1-6, 8-16	Written
Participation during activities and discussions	Ongoing throughout the module	All	Oral

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
0	60	40

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay examination	60	4 hours	1-13	Written on request
Presentation and in-class discussion	40	1 hour	All	Written and oral

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Essay examination	Essay examination	1-13	August assessment period
Presentation and in-class discussion	Video-recorded presentation and lay summary of discussion questions	All	August assessment period

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Thompson JN (1994) The Coevolutionary Process. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Ehrlich, PR, Raven, PH 1964. Butterflies and plants: a study in coevolution. Evolution 18, 586-608.
Farrell, Brian D. "Inordinate fondness" explained: Why are there so many beetles?" Science 281.5376 (1998): 555-559.
Nuismer, Scott L., Richard Gomulkiewicz, and Benjamin J. Ridenhour. "When is correlation coevolution?" The American Naturalist 175.5 (2010): 525-537.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Key words search

Evolution, ecology, species-interactions, disease, predation, mutualism

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	6
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	01/02/2013
Last revision date	16/03/2022