Biology: Mammalogy (A)

About BIOL 4245 A

Classification, identification, morphology, evolution, and distribution of mammals. Prerequisite: BCOR 2100.

Notes

Prereq: BCOR 2100 OR NR 2030; Must register for a BIOL 4245 lab: A01-A04 PACE students by permission and override

Section Description

The Class Mammalia is perhaps one of the most morphologically and ecologically diverse groups of vertebrates. The diversity of this group includes species from the tiny bumblebee bat weighing less than a penny to the 30-meter-long blue whales. Some mammals have adaptations for an underground and aquatic lifestyle and others have evolved morphological modifications to fly and swim. While some mammals are considered ‘solitary’ like cats and baleen whales others exhibit various degrees of social organization. For example, dolphins and African ungulates live in groups that can have thousands of individuals, and mole rats live in societies like bees!
Current molecular techniques have made possible the discovery of several new cryptic species, including the Tapanuli Orangutan and the Araguaian River dolphin. Mammals occupy many important ecological roles in biological communities. Large whales are important ecosystem engineers that not only impact nutrient distribution (horizontally and vertically) in the oceans but also on land. Furthermore, mammals are an important part of the life cycle of many parasites and associated diseases (e.g., Ebola, HIV, etc.). Therefore, they are valuable in laboratories aiming to understand human diseases and drug efficiency. Unfortunately, mammals are facing many challenges; about 173 mammal species are declining, with half of these species losing their historic distribution range primarily due to human activities. Defaunation (the loss of fauna) is deeply affecting trophic interactions and ecological processes all over the world. For example, mammals play key ecological roles such as pollinators and seed dispersers. Therefore, their extinction can have a cascading effect at various geographical scales.

Section Expectation

This is an advanced (4000 level) biology course. Therefore, this course has a higher level of difficulty, thus you should plan on dedicating between 8 to 12 hours every week of out-of-class. This course assumes your understanding of processes and concepts learned in your BCOR or BIOL introductory classes to biology, such evolution (e.g., genetic drift, adaptation, natural selection, sexual selection, convergent evolution, etc.) and the basis of phylogenetics (e.g., common ancestry, derived vs ancestral traits, homology, cladograms, etc.). Please make sure to review these topics in preparation for this class.

Evaluation

Please note that attendance in the lab is compulsory, failure to pass the lab will lead to failing this course.

Important Dates

Note: These dates may change before registration begins.

Courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Show your interest by enrolling.

Resources

• Parking
• PACE Course Pricing
• Textbooks

Taken With This Course