Marine Vertebrate Zoology Notebook
The purpose of the notebook is for the student to have available the tools necessary to
excel on both laboratory practical exams. Through the preparation of this notebook, you
will become familiar with the animals on each exam and therefore have the means to do
extremely well.
Since the notebook will be used on practical exams and will be graded by the instructor,
it is crucial that you spend the necessary time in compiling a complete notebook. In the
past there has been some confusion on what a complete notebook entails; hopefully this
handout will clarify any questions.
During the practical exam, 25 specimens will be selected and placed in trays throughout
the lab. The student will have a minute and a half to identify each specimen and five
minutes at the end of the exam to revisit any difficulties. Possible practical exam
questions include:
Taxonomic phylum of the specimen
Taxonomic class of the specimen
Taxonomic order of the specimen (only if we discussed the order in class)
Taxonomic family of the specimen
Scientific name (Genus, species) of the specimen
Sex of the specimen (only if it can be discerned and we discussed it in class)
When answering these questions it is important that you use the taxonomic classification
scheme discussed in class and the scientific names in your Peterson field guide. Other
taxonomic classifications and scientific names (i.e. from the internet) will not be accepted
The notebook is graded on a 100-point scale with the following breakdown:
1. Proper notebook………………………………………………. 2.5 points
A three ringed binder must be used since you will be adding and relocating
different specimens throughout the semester.
2. Title and Name on the cover………………………………….. 2.5 points
If we don't know whom the notebook belongs to, how can you get an A!
3. Table of Contents……………………………………………… 10 points
The purpose of the table of contents is for convenient access to the specimens in
the notebook. This semester there will be over 140 different fishes. Trying to find
one fish out of the many can be a difficult endeavor, this is where the table of
contents is important.
Taxonomic order………………………………………………. 10 points
Each specimen must be placed in taxonomic order via the taxonomic family. Use
the course outline distributed on the first day of class to aid you in this
classification. Numerous fishes in a single family do not have to be placed in any
particular order.
Page Numbers………………………………………………….. 10 points
The table of contents would be of no use if it did not include the appropriate page
number for each specimen.
4. Specimen Entry………………………………………………... 20 points
This is the core of the notebook. Students will be graded on having a complete
notebook (all the required animals). Another important point is to use a uniform
specimen entry format.
Specimen classification…………………………………………….. 10 points
Similar to the table of contents, specimens in the notebook must be placed in the
same taxonomic order. Again, use the course outline distributed the first day of
class.
Specimen sketches…………………………………………………. 15 points
Sketches are necessary to help solidify identifications during the exam and when
studying. The sketches used in the notebook may be images obtained from the
Internet or hand drawings. Either method is equally acceptable.
Page numbers………………………………………………………. 10 points
These page numbers should coincide with the page numbers in the table of
contents.
5. General appearance……………………………………………... 10 points
Notebooks should be neat and free from miscellaneous stains or blemishes
This notebook is an individual, effort not one to be tackled by a team. Identical
notebooks from several individuals will result in a zero.