Dr. Jason Turner
MSB 116 jpturner@hawaii.edu
Ph. 933-3114 http://foodweb.uhh.hawaii.edu
1. Objectives of the course
- To learn about evolution, systematics, & biogeography of Elasmobranchs
- To investigate locomotion, feeding mechanics, energetics, foraging patterns, & osmoregualtion
- To evaluate sensory systems, reproductive strategies, life history, & respiration
- To consider the effects of exploitation & subsequent conservation on population structure by examining conservation, management, & sharks and Hawaiian culture
This course will examine the natural history of the Elasmobranchs, an ancient group of fishes that have existed for almost 450 million years. Comprehensive investigations of sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes, and chimera along with representative species from Hawai‘i will be conducted. Subjects will include evolution, taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, ecology, conservation and management of these unique animals. Discussions of current research papers along with group research projects will be covered during lectures. Laboratory sessions will involve detailed dissections of shark functional anatomy. Students will also participate in a tagging study of coastal shark species throughout the Big Island of Hawai‘i.
2. Textbooks & Lab Manual
Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives
Jeffery Carrier, John Musick, & Michael Heithaus
Pictorial Anatomy of the Dogfish
Stephen Gilbert

Recommended Texts:
Sharks of Hawai'i: Their Biology and Cultural Significance
Leighton R. Taylor, Michael Cole, & George H. Balazs
Sharks & Rays of Hawaii
Gerald L. Crow and Jennifer Crites
3. Grade allocations
Lecture
Assignments: 25% (Research Paper)
Mid-term exam: 25%
Final exam: 35%
Participation: 15% (Weekly paper critiques & discussions)
Lab
Participation: 25% (Laboratory attendance)
Professionalism: 10% (Cooperation, attitude, work ethic, etc)
Taxonomy Exam: 25%
Dissection Notebook: 15%
Dissection Practical Exam: 25%
4. Consultation hours
T&R 1-5 - By appointment only please
5. Students with disabilities.
Any student with a documented disability who would like to request accommodations should contact the University Disability Services Office at 933-0816 (V), 933-3334 (TTY),
Campus Center Room 311, as soon as possible.
6. Academic dishonesty.
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in any form by this Department or
University. For specific definitions of such actions please familiarize yourselves with the UHH Student
Conduct Code which can be found at: www.uhh.hawaii.edu/uhh/accreditation/documents/uhh studentconductcode 001.doc
.

7. Schedule
(Please note that specific lecture topics and overall schedule are subject to change)
Week
June 17 th
June 24 th
Lecture Topics
Sharkwater ; Intro to
Elasmobranch Cladistics,
Evolution, Taxonomy
Intro to Elasmobranch Cladistics,
Evolution, Taxonomy
Text Reading
Chapters: 1,2
Chapters: 3,4
Lab Dissection
Dogfish: External,
Musculature, &
Digestive Systems
Dogfish:
Urogenetal &
Circulatory System
July 1 st
Locomotion & Mechanics of
Feeding
Chapters: 5,6
Taxonomy Exam:
Tuesday 7/2
Chapters: 7,8,9
Dogfish: Eye, Ear
& Nervous system
July 8 th
Metabolism, Osmoregulation,
Diet & foraging patterns
July 15 th
Sensory systems, Reproductive strategies
Chapters: 10,12
Ratfish: External &
Internal Systems
Ray & Skate:
External & Internal
Systems
July 22 nd
Exploitation, Conservation, &
Management; Sharks &
Hawaiian Culture, Cultural
Practitioner Lecture
Chapter 3 (Taylor);
Chapter 9 (Crow &
Crites)
Dissection Exam:
Thursday 7/25
Lab
Cruise: Kaimi
Cruise: Kaimi
Cruise: Kaimi
Mid-term Exam
Due
Cruise: Kaimi
Cruise: Kaimi
Cruise: Kaimi
Final Exam Due