Marine Mammals

Objectives

1. To describe the phylogenetic relationships of marine mammals

2. Explain their main adaptations to aquatic life

3. Relate the main types of social behavior with their ecological and evolutionary constrains

4. Research a given aspect of the biology or ecology of marine mammals to an advanced research level, and be able to communicate it to a varied audience

5. Give examples of the way cetaceans have marked history, economics and the environment

Program

1. Diversity and evolution

1.1 Orders and families of present day marine mammals- characteristics and distribution

1.2 Evolution of marine mammals

2. Adaptations to aquatic life

2.1 Locomotion

2.2 Diving

2.3 Termoregulation

2.4 Osmoregulation

2.5 Communication and echolocation

3. Exploitation and conservation of marine mammals

Teaching Methodologies

Inspired by the concepts of “flipped classroom” and “significant learning”, the required bibliography is made available on the moodle page, together with reading guides and suggestions of additional resources. The student is required to study the content in preparation for the lectures. These are carried out interactively, exploring the higher levels of Bloom taxonomy. The practicals reinforce the lectures and are geared to developing professional skills in the area. The teacher is available to talk to the students during the scheduled time and asynchronously on a specific moodle forum.

Bibliography

Berta, Sumich & Kovacs, 2006. Marine Mammals: Evolutionary Biology. Academic Press.