Biology: Vertebrate Zoology

Explores vertebrate diversity using the tools of evolutionary tree diagrams, structure and function relationships, ecology, and paleontology. Prerequisites: BCOR 1400, BIOL 1400, or BIOL 1000; BCOR 1450, BIOL 1450, BIOL 1005, or BCOR 1425.

Prereqs enforced by the system:BCOR 1400 & 1450 or BCOR 1425 or BIOL 1400 and BIOL 1450 PACE students by permission and override

Why should we be interested in vertebrates? The most obvious reason is that vertebrates are us! We can learn much about our role in the world, our place in the history of the earth, and about our own bodies and physiology by studying vertebrates. Although they are not the most species rich group of animals, they could be argued to be the most ecologically diverse, spanning a breathtaking range of habitat types, geographical distribution, and body size. The current biodiversity crisis has had a disproportionate effect on vertebrates and many are used as indicators of the health of ecosystems. In this companion course to comparative vertebrate anatomy, we will use the tools of evolutionary trees, structure and function relationships, and ecology to answer fascinating questions such as: Why are some vertebrates so much bigger than the largest non-vertebrates? How is a human like a shark? What is the difference between frogs and toads? Am I more closely related to an elephant or a mouse? What are the closest living relatives of birds? How does medical research on vertebrates help to solve human health problems? How did vertebrates become so complex? After successfully completing this course you will be able to: 1. Draw, read and correctly interpret an evolutionary tree diagram and understand the story it tells about the evolutionary history of the vertebrates and the relationships between vertebrate groups. 2. Use structure/function relationships to make inferences about the lifestyle of early vertebrates and their ancestors to understand patterns of diversity and complexity in early vertebrate evolution. 3. Analyze patterns of diversity in groups of vertebrates in terms of the evolutionary innovations, geological changes, and ecological changes that drive them. 4. Identify newly evolved features in each group of vertebrates that led to their diversification and interpret how these features influenced or were influenced by their ecological roles. 5. Understand how the biodiversity crisis has affected different groups of vertebrates differently and predict the effects of the current trajectory of global change on vertebrate biodiversity.