Year No. Offer Mode Description Cred. Pts 96 62317 S1 D VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY 1.00
62103/62213
A knowledge of the zoology of vertebrate animals and practical experience in identifying and dissecting these are fundamental to the education of an animal biologist.
As humans are vertebrates we have a special interest in this subphylum of the Phylum Chordata. This unit teaches the classification, morphology, anatomy, function and lifestyle of lower chordates and vertebrates. Topics include the classification and natural history of the Urochordata, Cephalochordata Agnatha, Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves and Mammalia, together with comparative study of major organ systems.
On completion of this unit students will be able to demonstrate:
Description Weighting(%)
- Lower Chordates 3.00 - life history, structure and function of members of the Ascidacea, Thaliacea and Larvacea. - anatomy and life style of the Cephalochordate Branchiostoma - Chordate relationships and the role of neoteny in the theory of evolution of the Phylum.
- Agnatha 2.00 - lamprey larva and adult; anadromous life style; Hagfish.
- Germ Layers 3.00 - their distribution in the early embryo and their derivative tissues and organs. Segmentation.
- Muscles 2.00 - major muscles. Examples of homologous muscles.
- Swimming 2.00 - streamlining, propulsion. Bernouilli effect
- Braincase, Jaws and Gill Arches 2.00 - evolution and structure (hyostylic and holostylic jaw arrangement)
- Chondrichthyes 6.00 - adaptive radiation of sharks and rays. Holocephali. Electric organs. Lateral line system. Gills.
- Skeleton 7.00 - origin, axial and appendicular skeleton surveyed. Swimming v running skeletons
- Osteichthyes 10.00 - Sarcopterygii - Latimeria, lungfishes. Aestivation of Protopterus. Actinopterygii - Cladistia, Chondrostei, Neopterygii. Swim bladder. Review of main teleost groups and eel and salmon life cycles; Weber's ossicles; metamorphosis of the flounder
- Skull 10.00 - functions, basic structure with reference to Palaeogyrinus (primitive amphibian), skull diversity in the bony fish, reptile and mammal. Temporal fenestrae with respect to classification and function. Kinetic skull of snake. Brain case and secondary palate development in mammals. Evolution of the lower jaw.
- Amphibia 3.00 - origin, diversity, anuran life history
- Circulatory Systems 7.00 - comparison of venous and arterial systems (emphasis on heart and branchial arteries) of shark, primitive tetrapod, higher tetrapod. Lymphatic system briefly.
- Reptilia 7.00 - terrestrial adaptations including the cleidoic egg. Classification and diversity. Jacobson's organ. Snake's teeth. Dinosaurs.
- Aves 10.00 - adaptations for flight. Modes of flying. Bird diversity
- Excretory and Reproductive Systems, 6.00 primitive and advanced kidneys. Gonads. Kidney ducts and genital ducts. Nephron structure in relation to function and habitat.
- Mammalia 10.00 - Prototheria. Metatheria. Forms of placentae. Polyprotodonts and diprotodonts. Eutheria Review of 13 orders with emphasis on locomotory adaptations in primates and horses and feeding adaptations in whales, carnivores and ungulates.
- Nervous System 10.00 - dogfish brain and cranial nerves. Main structural variations in vertebrate brains, functions of main nerve tracts and centres in the mammalian brain.
McKilligan, N. "62317 Vertebrate Zoology" (Practical Notes),
USQ, 1995.
McNeill, Alexander R., "The Chordates", Cambridge University
Press, 1975.*
Young, J. Z., "The Life of Vertebrates", Oxford, 3rd edn, 1981.*
Romer, A. S. & T. S. Parsons., "The Vertebrate Body", 5th edn,
Holt-Saunders, 1977.*
Saunders, J. T., Manton, S. M. & Brown, R., "Practical Vertebrate
Morphology", 4th edn., Oxford, 1969.
Webb, J. E., Wallwork, J. A. & Elgood, J. H., "Guide to Living
Mammals", Macmillan, London, 1979. And also in this series:
Guides to Living Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fishes.*
* These texts are NOT to go into the Reserve Collection in
the Library.
ACTIVITY HOURS Lectures 30 Laboratory or Practical Classes 48 Field Trips 6 Private Study 78 Examinations 8
No *F/S Marks Due Description Wtg(%) LBL 1 S WK 8 2 HR THEORY EXAM 28.00 N 2 S WK 8 2 HR PRACTICAL EXAM 18.00 N 3 S END S1 2 HR THEORY EXAM 32.00 N 4 S END S1 2 HR PRACTICAL EXAM 22.00 N
A neat, well-organised, comprehensive and accurate
record of practical work must be kept. Marks will be
deducted for unsatisfactory work.
Students are expected to participate actively in all
of the practical/tutorial classes in this unit.
Exemption in up to 20% of practical classes may be granted
where documentary evidence is provided which gives
good reason for absence.
In accordance with University Policy and Guidelines,
i an Examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an
assignment in extenuating circumstances;
ii no assignments will be accepted for assessment purposes
after assignments or model solutions have been released
except in extenuating circumstances;
iii assignments submitted after the due date without any
extenuating circumstances will attract a penalty of at
most 20% of the assigned mark for each working day late;
iv students who submit an assignment after the due date and
wish to claim extenuating circumstances, must provide
documentary evidence with the assignment explaining the
circumstances;
v the unit examiner shall consider a claim for extenuating
circumstances and decide on the outcome;
vi the decision of the Dean shall be final in any dispute
that may arise in the implementation of these guidelines.