Lecture Text:
Tim Hallyday and Kraig Adler.The encyclopedia of reptiles and amphibias.First
Edition.
Class Meets:
Lecture: 9:45-11:00 am, T and Th, Gottwald S-111
Lab: 5:00-6:30 pm T and Th, Gottwald S-111
Attendance and Honor Code:
Students are expected to attend both lectures and lab on a regular basis.
Students in this course will comply to the University of Richmond Honor
Code.
Goal of Course:
The evolution of lower tetrapods is fundamental in organismal biology because
it represents the appearance of tetrapods on earth, the invasion of the
terrestrial ecosystem, and the evolution of reproduction independent from
the aquatic environment. In this course we will analyze the evolution and
diversity of adaptations that brought about these major changes in vertebrate
evolution. In addition, we will address fundamental concepts of evolutionary
biology such as neoteny, heterochrony, metamorphosis, parthenogenesis, polyploidy,
etc., using lower tetrapods as examples.
Class Format:
Class will consist of lectures to illustrate concepts. When appropriate
we will use recent primary literature to complement lecture information;
in those cases students are expected to read the primary literature placed
on reserve by the instructor and actively participate in class discussions.
Lab will consist of dissections, examination of specimens, and discussions.
Grading:
This course has two equally weighted tests, the second test is given during
exam period. Tests will combine lecture and lab. In addition, students are
required to complete a research project. Students must discuss research
project with Dr. de Sábefore initiating the project.
Grades will be assigned on a 90-80-70-60% basis; there is no "curve".
No makeup quizzes, lab or lecture tests will be given.
Lab specimens:
All lab specimens are UR property. Students must replace the specimens if
loss or damage occurs, regardless of fault.
Lab hours:
The lab may be used for review outside of regularly scheduled lab hours;
a lab key will be available at the front desk of the science library. The
lab will close at noon on the days of tests. Students are not permitted
to study in lab while another class is meeting. If you come to use the laboratory
outside of normal class periods, please do not leave laboratory open
and unattended at any time.
Lab Cleanup:
Each student is responsible for cleaning his/her dissecting tray, table
area and surrounding floor area after each lab and when reviewing material
outside lab hours. Please do not leave your food "remains" in
the classroom. Students may be assigned duties (e.g. cleaning sinks) on
a rotating basis. All students will participate in take-down of lab exams
and cleaning of lab after exams.
The Course:
Class meetings combine lecture and laboratory work. Comparative Anatomy
of Vertebrates is a huge subject, so there is a lot of information to be
learned. We will use mostly an evolutionary approach as a way to synthesize
this large amount of information. Lecture and Laboratory periods will be
balanced as much as possible, however this can not always be accomplished.
Graduate Course Requirements:
This course is an undergraduate level course. Graduate students may take
this course for graduate credit. If so, graduate students are expected to
fulfill all the requirements expected of undegraduate and, in addition,
graduate students must complete an original, independent, research project
by the end of the semester. This research project should be written up in
the form and requirements of a national journal as if to be submitted for
publication by the end of the semester.
| Date | Day | Lecture |
| Aug. 27 | T | 1. Introduction/History of the discipline |
| Aug. 29 | Th | 2. Evolutionary concepts |
| Sept. 3 | T | 3. Out of water: origin of tetrapods and amphibian monophyly |
| Sept. 5 | Th | 4. Caracteristics of Amphibians: Modern groups |
| Sept. 10 | T | 5. Biology of Gymnophiona |
| Sept. 12 | Th | 6. Gymnophiona: Diversity and Biogeography |
| Sept. 17 | T | 7. Biology of Urodela |
| Sept. 19 | Th | 8. Urodela: Diversity and Biogeography |
| Sept. 24 | T | 9. Biology of Anura |
| Sept. 26 | Th | 10.Diversity of Anura |
| Oct. 1 | T | 11. Biogeography of Anura |
| Oct. 3 | Th | 12. Behavior, social interactions, parental care |
| Oct. 8 | T | 13. Larvae and Metamorphosis |
| Oct.10 | Th | 14. Larvae and Metamorphosis |
| Oct. 22 | T | Test I |
| Oct. 24 | Th | 15. Evolution and characteristics of Amniotes |
| Oct. 29 | T | 16. Prehistoric Reptiles and evolution of modern groups. |
| Oct. 31 | Th | 17. Biology of Testudinata |
| Nov. 5 | T | 18. Testudinata: Diversity and Biogeography |
| Nov. 7 | Th | 19. Biology of Amphisbaenia and Biology of Rhynchocephalia |
| Nov. 12 | T | 20. Amphisbaenia: Diversity and Biogeography |
| Nov. 14 | Th | 21. Biology of Lacertilia |
| Nov. 19 | T | 22. Lacertilia: Diversity and Biogeography |
| Nov. 21 | Th | 23. Biology of Ophidia |
| Nov. 26 | T | 24. Ophidia: Diversity and Biogeography |
| Dec. 3 | T | 25. Biology of Crocodylia |
| Dec. 5 | Th | 26. Crocodylia: Diversity and Biogeography |