Course Contents

COURSE CONTENTS THEORY 1. Hemichordates and InvertebrateChordates: Evolutionary perspective: phylogenetic relationship; classification of Hemichordate and Chordata; Phylum Hemichordata: Maintenance function, reproduction and development of class Enteroneusta and Pterobranchia; Phylum Chordata: Maintenance function, reproduction and development of subphylum Urochordata and Cephalochordata; Further Phylogenetic Considerations. 2. Fishes: Vertebrate Success in Water Evolutionary perspective: phylogenetic relationships; survey of super class agnatha and gnathostomata; evolutionary pressures: adaptations in locomotion, nutrition and the digestive system, circulation, gas exchange, nervous and sensory functions, excretion and osmoregulation, reproduction and development; further phylogenetic considerations. 3. Amphibians: The First Terrestrial Vertebrates Evolutionary perspective: phylogenetic relationships; survey of order caudata, gymnophiona, and anura. Evolutionary pressures: adaptations in external structure and locomotion, nutrition and the digestive system, circulation, gas exchange, temperature regulation, nervous and sensory functions, excretion and osmoregulation, reproduction, development, and metamorphosis; further phylogenetic considerations. 4. Reptiles: The First Amniotes Evolutionary perspective: cladistic interpretation of the amniotic lineage; survey of order testudines or chelonia, rhynchocephalia, squamata, and crocodilia; evolutionary pressures: adaptations in external structure and locomotion, nutrition and the digestive system, circulation, gas exchange, and temperature regulation, nervous and sensory functions, excretion and osmoregulation, reproduction and development; further phylogenetic considerations. 5. Birds: Feathers, Flight, and Endothermy Evolutionary perspective: phylogenetic relationships; ancient birds and the evolution of flight; diversity of modern birds; evolutionary pressures: adaptation in external structure and locomotion, nutrition and the digestive system, circulation, gas exchange, and temperature regulation, nervous and sensory systems, excretion and osmoregulation, reproduction and development; migration and navigation. 6. Mammals: Specialized Teeth, Endothermy, Hair, and Viviparity Evolutionary perspective: diversity of mammals; evolutionary pressures: adaptations in external structure and locomotion, nutrition and the digestive system, circulation, gas exchange, and temperature regulation, nervous and sensory functions, excretion and osmoregulation, behavior, reproduction and development. PRACTICALS 1. Study of a representative of hemichordate and invertebrate chordate. 2. Study of representative groups of class fishes. 3. Study of representative groups of class Amphibia. 4. Study of representative groups of class Reptilia. 5. Study of representative groups of class Aves. 6. Study of representative groups of class Mammalia. 7. Field trips to study animal diversity in an ecosystem.(Note: Preserved specimen and/or colored projection slide and/or CD ROM projection of computer must be used).

Course Synopsis

The course provides knowledge and understanding about the different animal groups, emphasizing their phylogenetic relationships.

Course Learning Outcomes

The students will be able to describe the phylogenetic relationships, general features, unique characteristics and evolutionary diversity of different groups of chordates. The course will enable the students to describe the ecological role and life functions of all the vertebrate groups, Fishes, Amphibia, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals.