Field Zoology Laboratory (BIOL 209)
Fall 2015
GTA:
Lisa Chamberland
Email:
lchambe1@uvm.edu
Office:
Marsh Life Science 316
Office Hours:
Monday 12:00-2:00pm MLS 316; Tuesday 12:00-1:00pm Torrey Hall
Laboratory: Tuesday 1:15-4:15 PM or 4:35-7:35 PM, 202 Torrey Hall
Objectives
Biodiversity is a necessary field of study for understanding life us. Taxonomy and morphology,
and in recent years the introduction of DNA barcoding, are tools for creating catalogues of
biodiversity. The field zoology lab has helped provide catalogued specimens to the Zadock
Thompson Zoological Center Museum (http://www.uvmzoo.org ). These collections provide
historical records of arthropods of Vermont and can be used in other areas of research, such as
tracking responses to environmental and climate changes. This semester we will become
familiar with collection techniques in the field and identification of terrestrial arthropods in the
lab in order to build individual arthropod collections that students can keep or can donate to the
museum collection. In addition to individual collections, in groups, students will also focus on
one order and present a poster on the diversity of this group in Vermont at the end of the
semester. By the end of the semester students will be able to use taxonomic keys to identify
insects and arachnids to the family level and will have in depth knowledge on one order of
arthropods.
Field Collection
As a class we will venture into the field to collect specimens during the first two weeks of lab.
We will use quantitative collecting methods so that we can calculate the amount of effort applied
to each collecting technique. Students are also encouraged to bring cameras to photograph
specimens in the field.
Given the weather conditions in Vermont during autumn, it is likely that we will receive our first
frost as early as October. After the first frost occurs many of the insects and spiders will
disappear until spring. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you spend additional time
outside of lab collecting your taxonomic group during the early weeks of the semester.
In the Lab
Each student will have microscopes, forceps, vials, and other supplies necessary for
identification. As a class we will first rough sort all specimens to order (Hymenoptera,
Lepidoptera, Araneae, etc.). To the best of your ability, you will then identify specimens to
family level, genera level (if possible) and form individual collections. There will be one lab
practical at the end of the semester. Students will also be separated into groups of 3 or 4 and will
choose an order to research in depth and present on at the end of the semester. Each group is
also responsible for including an original high-resolution photograph of at least one specimen (in
the field and/or using the lab camera) on the poster.
Grading
Your collection is worth 100 points (see lecture syllabus). In order to get full credit for your
collection, you must have 11 correctly identified insect orders, and 60 correctly identified insect
families. You also need 10 spider families, as below:
You will be rewarded two points per correctly identified order, and one point per correctly
identified family. You will not incur point deductions for incorrectly identified specimens, but
they will not be included in your final tally. Therefore, including more specimens than the
minimum is strongly advised. Extra orders will not count toward your grade, but they will serve
as a cushion in the event of misidentifications.
Assignment
Points
Final Collection (100 points including collection, labeling, organization)
Group Poster
Attendance and Participation
Lab Practical
100
70
20
60
Total Points
250
Order
Diptera
Coleoptera
Hemiptera
Hymenoptera
Lepidoptera
Orthoptera
Odonata
Other Insect Orders
Arachnids
Total
Number Collected
5+ unique families
5+ unique families
5+ unique families
5+ unique families
6 unique families
2 unique families
2 unique families
10 unique families
(from at least 4 unique orders not above)
5+ unique families of spiders
50 Families
Diversity Credit
If you have multiple species in a single Family, those additional specimens will add 0.5 points to
your score, with no denominator increase (that is, this is your extra credit). You can only get
extra points for a single extra species per Family, and only for up to 20 extra species in 20
different Families (for up to 10 extra credit points).
Label Information
Every specimen must have two labels: a locality label and a determination (=identification) label.
Any submitted specimen that lacks either will not be counted (that is, all specimens must have
both labels). The label must be printed in a font that lacks serifs, in 3 or 4 pt, using a laser printer
(not bubble- or deskjet). The format is as follows:
Locality label:
COUNTRY
<area>,
<STATE>1,
<elevation (in
meters)>,
<Country>,
<coordinates>,
<City>,
<date>*,
Coll. <initials and last names of collector>
Determination Label:
Order: <ordinal name>
Family: <familial name>
<Date identified>*
Det. <initials and last names of determiner>
things in “< >” are information you include. The final labels do not have “< >” on them
* dates must be written this way: Arabic day, roman numeral month, and 4 digit year:
30.viii.2015
1
Example
USA
Perry Hill,
VT,
350m,
USA,
N 44.324063
W072.716575,
Waterbury,
26.vii.2015,
Coll. L. Chamberland
Order: Arachnida
Family: Araneidae
5.viii.2015
L. Chamberland
Specimens must be organized by Order (and Family, if you have multiple species of the same
family). Orders must be arranged from left to right, top to bottom, alphabetically. This
component is worth 10 points. Specimens must also be pinned correctly for size and Order. This
component is worth 20 points. Merely turning in a box with even a single, correctly identified
specimen is worth the remaining six points.
You are permitted to trade specimens with classmates, but you must correctly indicate the
collector and determiner on the appropriate labels. Selling or stealing specimens will be treated
as a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity.
Lab Schedule
Week
Lab Activity
1: September 8
2: September 15
3: September 22
Field Collecting --- location TBA
Field Collecting --- location TBA
Techniques in labeling, pinning and
preserving specimens
Begin sorting --- to order
Sorting--- to order; morph.
Sorting --- within orders
Sorting --- within orders
Sorting --- within orders
Meet with group and choose order
Sorting---within orders
Photograph specimen from order for poster?
(each group must sign up for time slot)
Lab Practical
Lab session to finish up loose ends/get
feedback on posters
4: September 29
5: October 6
6: October 13
7: October 20
8: October 27
9: November 3
10: November 10
11: November 17
12: NO LAB
13: December 1
14: December 9
Thanksgiving Break
Collections due
Poster Session (with arthropod themed
refreshments!)
Due in Class // Outside
activities
n/a // Field collecting
n/a // Field collecting
Find a dichotomous key
// Field collecting
n/a // Group poster work
n/a // Group poster work
Prepare for lab practical
n/a // Group poster work
Draft of posters
PRINTED for group
feedback
Individual collections
Group posters