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 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 may 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 re-visit any difficulties. Possible practical
exam questions include:
Taxonomic Phylum of the specimen
Taxonomic Class of the specimen
Taxonomic Order of the specimen
(only if it is included on your Taxonomy Outline handout)
Taxonomic Family of the specimen
Scientific Name of the specimen
(remember the Rules!!)
Common Name 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 (lectures) and the scientific names in your
Peterson field guide and other field guides available in the classroom. Taxonomic
classifications and scientific names from the Internet and other sources will not be
accepted.
The notebook is graded on a 100-point scale with the following breakdown:
1. Proper notebook……………………………………………………. 5 points
A large three ringed binder must be used since you will be adding and relocating
different specimens throughout the semester. This includes a title, your name,
and class on the cover.
2. Table of Contents……………………………………………… ……10 points
The purpose of the table of contents is for convenient access to each individual
specimen in the notebook. This semester there will be approximately 200
specimens. Attempting to find one out of the many can be a difficult endeavor;
this is where the table of contents is important. The specimens must be in
taxonomic order in the table of contents (use your Taxonomy Outline
Handout).
3. Page Numbers………………………………………………….. …..20 points
The table of contents would be of no use if it did not include the appropriate
page number for each specimen. Page numbers should coincide with the page
numbers in the table of contents.
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 and have all the necessary classifications for
each specimen.
5. Taxonomic order………………………………………………..……20 points
Each specimen must be placed in taxonomic order in the notebook. Use your
Taxonomy Outline handout to determine the correct taxonomic order.
Numerous organisms in a single family do not have to be placed in any particular
order.
6. Specimen sketches/photographs…………………………………….10 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
collection, Internet or hand drawings. These have to be clear, large enough to see
with the naked eye, and correct for each specimen.
7. Index…………………………………………………………………10 points
An alphabetical index of common names is required at the end of the notebook.
It must include each specimen with corresponding page numbers.
8. General appearance……………………………………………….…….5 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.
Extremely similar notebooks from several individuals will result in a
zero.
Late notebooks will not be accepted. They are due at the end of the last
lab.
Format is up to you, but it must include all the necessary classifications, and remain
consistent throughout the notebook.
One possible format:
COLLECTION # _____________
SCIENTIFIC NAME ____________________________________
PHYLUM _____________________
CLASS ________________________
ORDER _______________________
FAMILY ______________________
SEX ________________
COMMON NAME____________________________________
NOTES_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
SKETCH / INTERNET PICTURE
Another option, if you want to save paper:
Do not put more than 4 specimens per page!
Collection #
_______F-XXXX______
Phylum
_______Chordata________________
Class
_______Osteichthyes____________
Family
________Gadidae________________
Scientific Name
________Gadus morhua___________
Common Name
________Atlantic cod______________
Sex
_____N/A____________
Notes_______________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Collection #
_______F-XXXX______
Phylum
_______Chordata________________
Class
_______Osteichthyes____________
Family
________Gadidae________________
Scientific Name
________Melanogrammus aeglefinus_
Common Name
________Haddock________________
Sex
_______N/A__________
Notes_______________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Collection #
_______F-XXXX______
Phylum
_______Chordata________________
Class
_______Osteichthyes____________
Family
________Gadidae_________________
Scientific Name
________Lota lota________________
Common Name
________Burbot__________________
Sex
_____N/A____________
Notes_______________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________