ABIO 316
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
SPRING, 2008
Instructor: Dr. Hugh Hanlin
Office: 101A SBDG
Phone: 641-3439
E-mail: HughH@aiken.sc.edu
Lecture: T TH 12:15-1:30 PM, SBDG 102
Lab: TH 1:40-4:20, SBDG 102
Textbook: Vertebrate Biology, Linzey
Lab Manuals: Optional Field Guides to Eastern Amphibians and Reptiles, Mammals,
and Eastern Birds
Additional Book Requirement: Field Notebook
Laboratory Supplies:
A lab coat or apron to protect your clothes is recommended for some laboratory exercises. Gloves, hand lotion,
soap, etc. are also recommended. (Caution: Exposure to formaldehyde has been linked to cancer in rats. The use
of surgical gloves in ABIO 316 is recommended. Any students with special health considerations or conditions
should inform their instructor and seek special instructions regarding exposure in labs.)
Dipnets and dichotomous keys to the vertebrates will be assigned to each student during the first week of classes.
Each student will be responsible for these supplies for the entire semester. FAILURE TO RETURN THESE
SUPPLIES AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER WILL RESULT IN THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE GRADE OF
“I”. (The student will be required to sign a contract for the “incomplete”, and the grade will be changed when all
supplies have been returned or replaced.)
Course Description:
Systematics, life history, distribution, ecology and current literature of vertebrates. Laboratory study will emphasize
native South Carolina species. Field collection required. Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week.
Course Content:
The biology of the vertebrates will be studied. Topics will include:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Principles of Evolution
Phylogeny
Taxonomy
Morphology
Special adaptations
6) Distribution
7) Life History
8) Population Ecology
9) Care and Handling
10) Preservation
Competency Goals:
By the end of the course students will have demonstrated the ability to:
1) use taxonomic keys,
2) employ hand-held GPS units to document vertebrate habitats,
3) identify selected South Carolina vertebrates,
4) describe the morphology, distribution and life history of selected South Carolina
vertebrates,
5) describe principles of population ecology, citing vertebrate species in examples,
6) critically review selected current literature of vertebrate biology,
7) prepare a field notebook,
8) properly handle selected vertebrates, and
9) properly preserve selected vertebrates.
Evaluation:
30% - Lecture quizzes (3)
15% - Laboratory quizzes (keying exercises - 3)
15% - Vertebrate collection
10% - Field Notebook
15% - Laboratory Final
15% - Lecture Final
Vertebrate Collection Requirement:
A collection of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals will be required. A point system for the collection will be
outlined by your instructor. Each student will be expected to achieve a minimum of 100 points for their collection.
Guidelines:
1) You will be expected to have read the assigned chapters prior to lecture.
2) You will be expected to endorse the HONOR PLEDGE on every quiz:
On my honor as a University of South Carolina at Aiken student, I have neither given nor received any
unauthorized aid on this assignment/examination. To the best of my knowledge, I am not in violation of
academic honesty.
3) No make-up exams will be given for lecture or laboratory quizzes except under extreme situations (see Student
Handbook).
4) You must attend at least 21 lectures and at least 9 lab exercises to receive a passing grade in the class.
5) You are encouraged to make appointments with your instructor if you are having problems
in the course. In general, the following hours are available for appointments:
T TH 9:00-10:30 AM, W 9:00-11:00 AM
6) If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability which might affect your performance in this
class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, 126A B&E, (803) 641-3609, as soon as possible. The
Disabilities Services Office will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation.
Tentative Lecture Schedule:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK
DATE
TOPIC
CHAPTER #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Jan 15, 17
Jan 22, 23
Jan 29, 31
Feb 5
Feb 12, 13
Feb 19, 21
Feb 26, 28
Principles of Systematics & Evolution
Principles of Systematics & Evolution
Vertebrate Body Plan
Vertebrate Phylogeny & Morphology:
Vertebrate Phylogeny & Morphology:
Vertebrate Phylogeny & Morphology:
Vertebrate Phylogeny & Morphology:
8
Mar 4
Mar 7
Mar 11, 13
Mar 18, 20
Mar 25, 27
Apr 1, 3
Apr 8
Apr 15, 17
Apr 22, 24
Apr 29
May 1
Vertebrate Phylogeny & Morphology: Mammals
9
Last day to withdraw without receiving “WF”
SPRING BREAK
Distribution: Ecology & Geography
3
Life History Patterns & Reproductive “Strategies”
Vertebrate Ecology - Movements
11
Vertebrate Ecology - Thermoregulation and Osmoregulation 12
Vertebrate Ecology - Interspecific Interactions
13
Vertebrate Ecology - History & Future
15,16
Reading Day
FINAL EXAM (11:00 AM)
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Tentative Lecture Quiz Dates:
Fishes
Amphibians
Reptiles
Birds
2
2
1
1, 5
6
7,8
7,8
#1 Thursday, February 7
#2 Thursday, March 6
#3 Thursday, April 10
Tentative Laboratory Schedule:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK
DATE
TOPIC
1
Jan 17
Field & Laboratory Techniques/Dichotomous Keys
2
Jan 23
Fish Systematics
3
Jan 31
*Field Exercise
4
Feb 7
Keying Exercise - Fishes
5
Feb 14
Amphibians Systematics
6
Feb 21
*Field Exercise
7
Feb 28
Keying Exercise - Amphibians
8
Mar 6
Reptile Systematics
9
Mar 13
SPRING BREAK
10
Mar 20
*Field Exercise
11
Mar 27
Keying Exercise - Reptiles
12
Apr 3
*Field Exercise
Apr 4-6
**HIGHLANDS TRIP
13
Apr 10
*Field Trip- Riverbanks Zoo
14
Apr 17
*Field Exercise
Apr 18-19
**EDISTO ISLAND TRIP
15
Apr 24
LAB FINAL
*Field Exercises will include small mammal trapping, singing male bird counts, and vertebrate collecting. In the
event of inclement weather, specimen preservation techniques will be conducted in the laboratory.
**Required Field Trips: Blue Ridge Mountains/Highlands Biological Station: Apr 4 - 6
Coastal Plain/Edisto Island: April 18 - 19
If you have schedule conflicts or are otherwise unable to attend the required field trips, the
requirement may be satisfied with a written critique of selected journal articles.
Field Trip Costs
2
The cost for each required weekend field trip is approximately $50 per student. There are no costs associated with
local class field trips except one trip to the Riverbanks Zoo on April 17 which will require a $7.00 entry fee.
3