BI2EV45-Vertebrate Zoology

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Graham Luke
Email: g.n.luke@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module incorporates aspects of traditional comparative anatomical zoology with evolutionary-developmental biology, physiology and palaeontology. Within this remit, students will undertake a broad and in places detailed look at the morphology of a wide range of vertebrates. In class dissections and museum specimen observation feature heavily in this module. The Autumn term of this module focuses mostly on non-mammalian vertebrates whereas the Spring term focusses more on the Mammalia. The module considers the factors that have led to the diversity of vertebrates that exist today, and the demise of those that lived in previous epochs. Observational and deductive skills are an important part of this module.Ìý

Aims:

1. To provide a grounding in, and overview of, the multidisciplinary nature of zoology in the 21st century (in particular the relevance of palaeontology, zoogeography, phylogenetics, physiology and developmental biology to traditional comparative morphological zoology).


2. To provide students with an account of the zoology of the vertebrates, viz. (i) The organisation of the main vertebrate taxa. (ii) An outline of non-mammalian vertebrate evolution from its Chordate ancestry, (iii) A study of selected adaptations of vertebrates to their ways of life, (iv) An account of the origins, functions and significance of some key mammalian features, (v) An introduction to a key driver of evolution, energetics.


3. To give students a wider appreciation of the complexity and diversity of vertebrate morphology and physiology, and the exquisite nature of their adaptations to their life styles and their environments.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the course, it is expected that students will be able to describe and explain:

1. The main morphological and physiological features used in vertebrate classification.


2. The evolutionary history of the main non-mammalian vertebrate taxa.


3. The key morphological, reporductive and physiological adaptations of vertebrates to life in water, on land and in the air


4. The general anatomical organisation of chordates and vertebrates.


5. The significance of ectothermic and endothermic strategies to vertebrate diversity.

Additional outcomes:

• Gain experience of team working.Ìý


• Develop skills associated with library information retrieval, gaining information from the WWW and journals.Ìý


• Develop time management skills in a practical setting.Ìý


• Develop observational and deductive skills associated with investigating and recording vertebrate structure/function in a practical classes.


• Develop writing and graphical communication skills.Ìý

Outline content:

The course will cover the defining anatomical and physiological features, and the evolution of the major groups of non-mammalian vertebrates. Major topics/themes covered in this term will include:

• fish biology


• the colonisation of land by vertebratesÌý


• °ù±ð²õ±è¾±°ù²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²ÔÌý


• the contrast between the anatomical and physiological differences of the Synapsid and Sauropsid taxaÌý


• the origin, evoluti on, morphology, physiology and function of the defining features of mammals {e.g. placentation and lactation}Ìý


• the evolution and morphology of locomotory specialisations of mammals,Ìý


• »å¾±²µ±ð²õ³Ù¾±´Ç²ÔÌý


• how the energetics (diet and budgeting of energy) have shaped morphology evolution, function and diversity in vertebrates (eco-morphospace).

Examination of preserved specimens from the Cole Museum and practical class dissections of specimens comprise almost 50% of the formal teaching of this module, and thus are an integral part of this course (alternative study options to dissections are available on request).

Students will be expected to read relevant chapters of t