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| Course ID: | WILD(ECOL) 3580. 3 hours. | | Course Title: | Vertebrate Natural History | Course
Description: | Life history strategies of vertebrates with emphasis on ecology, behavior, taxonomy, and systematics. | | Oasis Title: | VERTEBRATE NAT HIST | | Duplicate Credit: | Not open to students with credit in FORS 3580-3580L | | Prerequisite: | BIOL 1108-1108L | | Corequisite: | WILD(ECOL) 3580L | Semester Course
Offered: | Offered spring semester every year. | | Grading System: | A-F (Traditional) |
| | Course Objectives: | Upon completion of this course, students should:
1. Understand basic systems of classification and taxonomy and
how they are applied to vertebrate systematics.
2. Appreciate the geological and evolutionary history of
vertebrates.
3. Know the major taxa of vertebrates and the special
anatomical, morphological, behavioral, and ecological features
that characterize each group.
4. Be able to conduct a survey of the scientific literature and
summarize the natural history of any vertebrate species. | | Topical Outline: | I. Introduction to vertebrate characteristics
A. Origin of chordates
B. Characteristics of lower chordates
C. Characteristics of vertebrates
II. Introduction to taxonomy and systematics
A. The binomial system
B. Systematics: Classification schemes and taxonomic categories
C. Taxonomy: species descriptions, type specimens, and taxonomic
revisions
D. Subspecies and geographic variation
E. Factors influencing vertebrate distributions
F. Principles of evolution
G. The geologic record and the evolution of vertebrate species
III. Classification, characteristics, and special natural
history
features of each vertebrate class
A. Fishes and fish-like vertebrates
B. Amphibians
C. Reptiles
D. Birds
E. Mammals
IV. Natural history topics (as time remaining permits)
A. Migration and navigation
B. Hibernation, torpor, and dormancy
C. Cooperative breeding and brood parasitism
D. Mating systems, sex ratios, and sexual selection | |
| Course ID: | WILD(ECOL) 3580L. 1 hour. 4 hours lab per week. |
| Course Title: | Vertebrate Natural History Laboratory |
Course
Description: | Students will complete assignments to illustrate principles and
techniques presented in Vertebrate Natural History. |
| Oasis Title: | VERT NAT HIST LAB |
| Duplicate Credit: | Not open to students with credit in FORS 3580-3580L |
| Prerequisite: | BIOL 1108-1108L |
| Corequisite: | WILD(ECOL) 3580 |
Semester Course
Offered: | Offered spring semester every year. |
| Grading System: | A-F (Traditional) |
|
| Course Objectives: | Upon completion of this course, students should:
1. Be familiar with terminology related to the morphology and
anatomy of the major vertebrate taxa.
2. Know the identifying characteristics, specific nomenclature,
and natural history of the common vertebrates of the
southeastern United States.
3. Be familiar with the techniques used to study vertebrate
behavior and ecology in the field including methods of capture,
marking, observation, and specimen preservation. |
| Topical Outline: | I. Fish
A. Terminology and scientific societies
B. Morphology
C. Anatomy
D. Identification of southeastern species
II. Amphibians
A. Terminology and scientific societies
B. Morphology
C. Anatomy
D. Identification of southeastern species
III. Reptiles
A. Terminology and scientific societies
B. Morphology
C. Anatomy
D. Identification of southeastern species
IV. Birds
A. Terminology and scientific societies
B. Morphology
C. Anatomy
D. Identification of southeastern species
V. Mammals
A. Terminology and scientific societies
B. Morphology
C. Anatomy
D. Identification of southeastern species |
Syllabus:
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