Course Description
Mammalian diversity with emphasis on taxonomic identification, systematics, natural history, and methods of field study.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be required to produce a research paper based on an experimental field study or a collection of mammalian specimens with proper ecological and locality documentation.
Athena Title
MAMMALOGY
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in ECOL 4030/6030-4030L/6030L or FORS 4050/6050-4050L/6050L
Undergraduate Prerequisite
FORS(ECOL) 3580-3580L or WILD(ECOL) 3580-3580L or permission of school
Graduate Prerequisite
FORS(ECOL) 3580-3580L or WILD(ECOL) 3580-3580L or permission of school
Undergraduate Corequisite
WILD(BIOL) 4050L/6050L
Graduate Corequisite
WILD(BIOL) 4050L/6050L
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students should: 1. Be familiar with mammalian characteristics and the evolutionary and biogeographic history of mammalian groups. 2. Know the mammalian orders and families and the anatomical, morphological, behavioral, and ecological features that characterize each. 3. Have a general knowledge of mammalian anatomy, physiology, behavior, and ecology.
Topical Outline
I. Introduction A. Introduction to mammalogy B. Characteristics of mammals C. Basic mammal structure II. Evolution of Mammals A. Evolutionary beginnings B. Major lineages and evolutionary transformations C. Mammalian radiations III. Mammalian Distributions A. Biogeography concepts B. Faunal regions C. Origins of continental mammalian faunas IV. Diseases and Human Health Risks A. Terms and concepts B. Zoonotic diseases with relevance to mammalogists V. Function A. Locomotory adaptations B. Feeding adaptations C. Reproduction and mating systems VI. Mammalian Diversity A. Overview of mammalian diversity VII. Sensory Systems and Environmental Adaptations A. Sensory systems B. Biological rhythms C. Thermoregulation D. Water regulation VIII. Behavior A. Communication B. Social behavior C. Home range and territoriality D. Dispersal and migration
Syllabus