Biology 451: Functional Analysis of Vertebrate Structure
Winter, 2012
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Office Hours:
Required Books:
Recommended:
Dr. Kenneth W. Gobalet
Science I, Room 120
664-3038 email: kgobalet@csub.edu
You are welcome in my office any time I am free.
Hildebrand, M. and G. Goslow. 2001. Analysis of Vertebrate Structure 5th ed.
Kardong, K.V. 1998. Vertebrates; Comparative Anatomy, Function,
Evolution. 2nd Edition.
Pough, H. et al. 2008. Vertebrate Life 8th edition
Fishbeck, D.W. and A. Sebastiani. 2008. Comparative Anatomy 2nd. Edition.
De Luliis, G., and D. Pulera. 2007. The Dissection of Vertebrates. Academic Press.
Hall, B.K. 2007. Fins into Limbs, Evolution, Development, Transformation
Walker, W.F. and D.G. Homberger. 1992. Vertebrate Dissection.
Saunders College Publishing. Eighth Edition
Hildebrand, M., D.M. Bramble, K.F. Liem, and D.B. Wake eds. 1985. Functional
Vertebrate Morphology. Harvard U. Press.
Additional papers are available on Gobalet’s web site for Bio 451:
http://www.csub.edu/~kgobalet/courses.html
Dissection tools will be provided in class. A minimal set includes a dull probe, forceps (rat-toothed) and scalpel. Dress
down (this never seems to be an issue with biology students, they follow the lead of their instructors).
Grading: Points will be totaled and grades determined based on the percentage score scaled against the
top cumulative grade in the class. The top grade isn’t automatically 100%, but
will be set by the
instructor. Grade scale follows:
93-100
90 - 92.9
87 - 89.9
83 - 86.9
80 - 82.9
77 - 79.9
=A
= A= B+
=B
= B= C+
73 - 76.9
70 - 72.9
67 - 69.9
63 - 66.9
60 - 62.9
below 60
=C
= C= D+
=D
= D=F
Approximate value of the course assignments:
Exam
January 30
Exam
February 24
Final
March 22
Paper
March 1,13
Additional Assignments:
Total
75
75
100
100
TBA
> 350
NOTES:
1.
2.
3.
Most of the skeletons and other anatomical preparations you will use in this course are the
personal property of the instructor. They are difficult or impossible to replace. Please handle them
with respect and care. Wash hands before handling skeletons and use the sticks provided as
pointers. Do not use pens and pencils!
Lecture and laboratory material are closely related, all examinations cover both.
The final examination covers the entire course, but emphasizes the latter portion.
Schedule Biology 451 Winter 2012
Week
Topic
Readings
Laboratory
Hildebrand & Goslow (H&G)
_______________________________________ _______________________________
Jan 9-13; 17-20 Vertebrate Diversity
H&G 2-4. 8, 9
Vertebrate diversity & skeleton
Pough etal (2009) Ch2 Student paper summaries
& Ch 11, De Lullis 2007
Jan 23-27
H&G 21, 22, 23
Kardong 2006: Ch 4
Biomechanics of ulna
Biomechanics problems
H&G 7, 30
Biomechanics problems
Fish Skull exercise
Structural Elements
Biological Design
Jan 30- Feb 3 Teeth, Feeding
Jan 31 Exam
Feb 6-10
Size considerations
Feb 7 Topic due
H&G 21, 22, 23
Mammal Skull exercise
Sander & Clauss (2008) Bird flight muscle
Freedman and Noakes (2003)
Feb 13-17
Running & Jumping
H&G 24
Bone as a spring
Hall 19 (Vickaryous & Olson 2007)
Bramble and Lieberman (2004) Sesamoids & menisci
Feb 20-24
Digging, Crawling
Climbing
Feb 24 Exam
H&G 25, 26
Chicken feet
Hall Cptr 17 (Kley & Kearney 2007))
Feb 27-Mar 1
Swimming and Diving
H&G 27
Fish (snakehead) head
March 1 paper due (peer review) Hall Cptr 18 (Thewissen & Taylor 2007)
March 5-9
Flying and Gliding
H&G 28
Cat claws or Weberian ossicles
Hall Cptr 16 (Gatesy & Middleton 2007)
Student oral presentations
March 12-16
Energetics
March 13: Paper due
H&G 29
Beef hoof
Carrier (1987)
Student oral presentations
Carey (1971)
Pough 2009 Ch 14, 22
March 22
Final 11:00-1:30
Possible options
Shark brain
Femur scaling
Dissection of mammalian ear ossicles
PROJECT / PAPER
Important Dates:
Feb 7 Topic statement (paragraph), including a proper alphabetical
citation list of 8 references.
Mar 1 “Polished” copy due for in class peer review.
Mar 13 Revised copy due with marked peer evaluated copies(s).
Mar 9, 13,15. Student oral presentation of projects
Assignment:
Each student is required to submit a paper
dealing with some aspect of vertebrate biology
that includes a significant morphological
component. The target audience is other
students in the class.
A project that includes original or illustrative
work is to be written-up following the format
found in “How to Write a Scientific Research
Report.” This paper shall have a minimum of 10
cited original references and include at least four
double spaced pages of text exclusive of the
literature cited section, figures or tables.
.
Textbooks, general audience magazines, summary
sections of journals (usually anonymously
authored), encyclopedias and other popular
literature may be used but only as additions to the
required original works. An example of this type
of secondary source is the Science and the Citizen
section of Scientific American. Exclusively on-line
sources are usually not acceptable. Paraphrase,
and do not quote your sources. Papers on
morphology usually required extensive
illustration. If you do not provide original penand-ink artwork please use Xeroxes from your
sources, but cite the source in the figure caption.
Submit your paper stapled and with a title page
but no cover. Your name, date, and course number
should be centered on the title page. Only the title
should appear on the first page of text, followed by
the introduction. The title page is the only place
the author’s name should appear. An abstract is
optional. Emphasis should be on professionalism.
Review Process:
Your paper must have been read and critiqued
by at least two other class members. This is
Not a rough draft but a polished manuscript.
Your paper must be in the reviewers’ hands on
March 1st. Review your papers incorporating the
suggestions of your reviewers and submit the
signed reviewed copy and your revision on March
13th. Your revised paper is due March 13th. Plan
ahead. Permanent deductions will be made for
tardiness and lack of professionalism in the copy
submitted for review.
Grading:
You will be graded on your writing skills, topical
quality, appropriateness of references, integration
(not regurgitation of material) and compliance
with format. In other words an “A” paper should
include supported original ideas or opinions, a “C”
paper will only report information. The paper is
worth 100 points or about one-fifth of your course
grade. Professionalism is paramount!!!
Reviewer and Author please check the following:
1. Proper format (see “How to Write a Scientific Research Report”).
2. Number of references
3. Use of all cited references in literature cited section of text
and citation of all references used.
4. Grammatical/spelling/punctuation problems
5. Logical presentation, clarity
6. Support of ideas
7. Quotes are unacceptable, paraphrase the work and cite it.
Papers for students to share in class:
Autumn 2006: Gecko adhesion
Berenbrink 2005 (two papers): gas bladder evolution
Blanco 2009: Glyptodont tail
Dial 2003: bird flight evolution
Elemans 2011: fast bat muscles
Farmer 2010: Alligator ventilation
Gans 1961: Snake feeding
Goldman 2010: slithering locomotion
Grillner 2011: Human locomotor circuits
Grobecker 1979: anglerfish suction feeding
Grubic 2007: Barracuda bite
Hanke 2010: harbor seal vibrissae
Higgins 201: Neandertal climbing
Hillenius 1992: Turbinate function
Hutchinson 2011: Elephant foot evolution
Jenkins 1988: Starling flight
Kamp 2011: Beetle leg
Konow 2008: Intramandibular fish jaw joint
Kram and Dawson 1998: kangaroo locomotion
McKellar 2011: feather function
Mehta 2007: Moray pharyngeal jaw
Muller 2004: Cameleon tongue
Northcutt 2011: Brain evolution
Omenetto 2010: Functions of silk
Pratt and Carrier 2001: Elasmobranch reproduction
Savitsky 1981: Snake hinged teeth
Schwenk 1994: Snake forked tongue
Thorsen 2005: Pectoral fin function
Ungar 2011: Hominin diet
Wedel 2009: Dinosaur air sacs
Westneat & Wainwright 2001: Tuna swimming
Wroe 2008: GW shark bite