Vertebrate Biology I

Code:

MA122

Acronym:

BV_I

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	General and Aquatic Biology

Instance: 2012/2013 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Anatomy
Course/CS Responsible:	Aquatic Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LCMA	44	Plan 2012 to 2017	1	-	5	49	135

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

As the beginning of life and its evolution happened in the aquatic environment the Biology of Vertebrates I is a basic discipline for students of Aquatic Sciences. The aim of this discipline is to cover the maters related with life and its evolution. Vertebrate evolution, systematic, biology and morphology are the main concerns. After correlating geologic times with appearance, evolution and extinction of main animal groups in Earth, development biology and embryology are covered. The final part of the discipline is dedicated to the functional morphology aspects of vertebrates, including: motion, feeding, growth, based on the different systems as: Integument, Skeletal, muscular, respiratory, circulatory and digestive.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Pre-Cambrian and the first signs of life in the ocean. From the prokaryotes to eukaryotes. The appearance and evolution of animal life. The great extinctions. The evolution of chordates and the particular case of vertebrate phylogeny. Developmental biology and embryology of vertebrates (concepts of evolution and development; eggs, segmentation, gastrulation neural crest. The integument (development, microscopic structure, integumentary glands, scales and denticles color). Skeleton (notochord, cartilage, bone and joints; the sclerotome; the axial and appendicular skeleton; head and trunk skeleton) muscles and musculature (smooth and striated muscle; the myotome; epiaxial and hypoaxial musculature). Movement (aquatic, aerial and terrestrial movement adaptations). Corporal cavities (the original coelomic cavity and the serous membrane; the evolution from coelomic cavity to two and three cavities). Digestive system and related glands (development and general structure; oral cavity, teeth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine; pancreas, liver and gallbladder). Respiratory system (aquatic and aerial ventilation; gills and lungs). Circulatory system (heart, blood formation, arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels; the cardiac and somatic circulation).

Mandatory literature

Webster Douglas; Comparative vertebrate morphology. ISBN: 0-12-740850-9
Hildebrand Milton; Analysis of vertebrate structure. ISBN: 0-471-29505-1
Kent George C.; Comparative anatomy of the vertebrates. ISBN: 0-8016-6237-0

Complementary Bibliography

Press, F. & Siever, R; Understanding Earth , 2001
Romer, A. S.; Comparative Anatomy , 1962
Bracegirdle, B. & Miles, P. H.; Chordate Structure , 1978
Hildebrand, M. and Goslow, Jr., G.E.; Analysis of Vertebrate Structure , 2001
Kardong, K. V.; Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution , 2002

Teaching methods and learning activities

This course adopts the method of blocks of matter with lectures, with support of media, followed by practical classes in laboratory or field, one or two field works.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Eligibility for exams

Fraquence is considered with at least 2/3 of practical lessons.

Calculation formula of final grade

Participation (10% of final); Presentation of a seminary (20% of final) and pactical and teoretical Examen (70% fo total).

Examinations or Special Assignments

Students are not required to do any other proof besides those already mentioned

Classification improvement

Improving classification is according to the general rules of the Institute

Observations

Recommended sites - http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evohome.html http://post.queensu.ca/~forsdyke/evolutio.htm#Introduction:%20Species%20Barriers

Understanding Earth (2001) – Press, F. & Siever, R. Comparative Anatomy (1962) - Romer, A. S. Comparative Vertebrate Morphology (1974) Webster, D. & Webster, M. Chordate Structure (1978) - Bracegirdle, B. & Miles, P. H. Analysis of Vertebrate Structure - fifth Ed. (2001) Hildebrand, M. and Goslow, Jr., G.E. Vertebrate Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution - Third Ed. (2002) Kardong, K. V.