The main objective of this course is to deepen the knowledge, skills and competences of the students within the biology of Vertebrates, through its active participation in the act of learning, allowing them to integrate the acquisition of scientific knowledge, namely:
Theoretical classes (T)
• understand the morphological and anatomical diversity of Vertebrates;
• identify chronologically the origin, evolutionary success and/or the extinction of Vertebrate groups;
• identify and illustrate the changes that have occurred in the organ systems throughout the evolution of Chordates;
Theoretical-Practical classes (TP)
• lead the students to reflect on the contents and interiorize them more efficiently;
Practical classes (PL)
• illustrate organs, organ systems and identify their functions (Chordates) and locate them spatially in the body;
• demonstrate the proper sequence of procedures and precautions when dissecting a Vertebrate;
• practice dissections of Vertebrates.
Contents
1. Introduction to the evolution and classification of Vertebrates
2. Chordates characters
3. The Urochordates
3.1. Characters
3.2. Examples
4. The Cephalochordates
4.1. Characters
4.2. The Amphioxus
5. Main theories on the origin and evolution of Vertebrates
6. The first Vertebrates
6.1. General characters of Ostracoderms
6.2. Origin of Ostracoderms
7. Cyclostomes
7.1. Characters
7.2. Examples
8. Gnathostomes fishes
8.1. The replacement of Ostracoderms by Placoderms
8.2. Characters of Acanthodians and Placoderms
8.3. The appearance of the jaws and the evolution of the jaw suspension
8.4. The replacement of Placoderms by Actinopterigians and Chondricties
8.5. General characteristics of current Gnata fishes and causes of their evolutionary success
9. Chondrichthyes
9.1. The anatomy of Cladoselaces
9.2. Modern sharks and their evolutionary success
9.2.1. Integument characters
9.3. Current Holocephals characters
10. Osteichthyes
10.1. The Sarcopterygians (Dipnoics and Crossopterygians)
10.1.1. Primitive forms and modern forms
10.1.2. The choanas
10.1.3. The archipterigium
10.1.4. Labyrinthodont tooth
10.2. Actinopterigians (Chondrostians and Neopterygians)
10.2.1. The substitution in the evolution of this group
10.2.2. Ancient forms and current forms
10.2.3. Integument characters
11. The Amphibians
11.1. Origin and irradiation
11.2. Devonian climates
11.3. Adaptations for life out of water
11.4. Simplified Classification of Amphibians
11.5. General characters of current amphibians
12. The Reptiles
12.1. Origin and evolution
12.2. The amniotic egg and its origin
12.1.2. Simplified classification of reptiles
12.2. General characters of current Reptiles
13. The Birds
13.1. Origin and evolution
13.1.1. The Birds of the Jurassic
13.1.2. Anatomical-physiological conditions necessary for flight
13.2. General characters of modern birds
13.3. Characters of the tegument of birds
14. The Mammals
14.1. Origin and evolution
14.2. General characteristics of current Mammals
14.3. Characters from their main groups.
The course unit will be taught in a classroom environment that will be complemented with asynchronous activities supported by the Moodle learning management system platform, available at the University of the Azores.
In classes T, TP and PL the methods will be applied: expository, interrogative and demonstrative, respectively. These methods will be supported by multimedia presentations (T and TP) and protocols (P) illustrating the objects, concepts and processes targeted for analysis in this course.
Tutorial guidance will be provided, either through face-to-face support or through asynchronous assistance in a virtual environment. This includes the provision of support materials and the development of interactive activities.
COLBERT, E. H., MORALES, M., MINKOFF, E. C. 2001. Colbert´s Evolution of the Vertebrates: a history of the backboned animals through time. 5th ed. Wiley-Lise. New York.
HELFMAN, G.S. COLLETE, B. B., FACEY, D. E., BOWEN, B.W. 2009.The Diversity of Fishes: Biology, Evolution, and Ecology.2nd ed. Wiley-Blackwell.
HILDEBRAND, M., GEORGE, G. 1998. Analysis of Vertebrate Structure. 5th ed., John Willey & Sons, INC. New York.
KENNETH, V. 2011. Vertebrates. Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution. 6th ed. Mcgraw-Hill. Boston.
KENNETH, V., Zalisko, E. J. 2011. Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy. A Laboratory dissection Guide. 6th ed. Mcgraw-Hill. Boston.
KÜKENTHAL, W., MATTHES, E., RENNER, M. 1969. Guia de trabalhos práticos de Zoologia. 15ª ed. Atlântida Editora - S.A.R.L.. Coimbra.
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