BDC 211

Vertebrate

Diversity

Schedule

WEEK DATE DAY LECTURE PRACTICAL

1 28-Mar-11 Mon Chordate diversity Protochordates + System1 29-Mar-11 Tue Vertebrate evolution  1 30-Mar-11 Wed    1 31-Mar-11 Thu Fish function  1 01-Apr-11 Fri   Fish diversity2 04-Apr-11 Mon Fish function Fish dissection 2 05-Apr-11 Tue Amphibian evolution  2 06-Apr-11 Wed    2 07-Apr-11 Thu Amphibian diversity  2 08-Apr-11 Fri   Amphibian diversity 3 11-Apr-11 Mon Aquarium excursion Aquarium excursion 3 12-Apr-11 Tue Amphibian function  3 13-Apr-11 Wed    3 14-Apr-11 Thu The amniotic egg  3 15-Apr-11 Fri   Frog dissection 4 18-Apr-11 Mon Reptiles Reptile diversity4 19-Apr-11 Tue Birds  4 20-Apr-11 Wed    4 21-Apr-11 Thu  ESSAY DUE Mammals  4 22-Apr-11 Fri GOOD FRIDAY  5 25-Apr-11 Mon FAMILY DAY  5 26-Apr-11 Tue Amniote function  5 27-Apr-11 Wed FREEDOM DAY  5 28-Apr-11 Thu Amniote function  5 29-Apr-11 Fri   Life in cold blood6 02-May-11 Mon PUBLIC HOLIDAY  6 03-May-11 Tue Discussion class  6 04-May-11 Wed    6 05-May-11 Thu THEORY TEST  6 06-May-11 Fri   Mammal & bird diversity7 09-May-11 Mon Museum excursion Museum excursion7 10-May-11 Tue Revision  7 11-May-11 Wed    7 12-May-11 Thu Revision  7 13-May-11 Fri   PRACTICAL EXAM

Theory & Practical handoutsGet from Mrs van Heerden (at lunchtime 12.30-14 h)

Essay:Your literature research should cover the following aspects:

Distribution Taxonomy Morphology (including distinguishing features) Ecology and/or Physiology: two interesting facets of the group or

members of the group.

Evaluation: Final mark = Practical (40%) + Theory (20%) + Exam (40%)

Practical = Dissections (10%) + Worksheets (10%) + Prac exam (20%)

Theory = Essay (10%) + Test (10%)

Recommended Textbooks

• Hickman CP, Roberts LS, Keen SL, Eisenhour DJ, Larson A, l’Anson H. 2011. Integrated Principles of Zoology. 15th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. 918 p.– Hickman CP, Roberts LS, Keen SL, Larson A, Eisenhour DJ.

2008. Animal Diversity. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. 480p.

• Miller SA, Harley JP. 2010. Zoology. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. 592 p.

• Kardong KV. 2009. Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution. 5th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill. 779 p.

• Pough EH, Janis CM, Heiser JB. 2009. Vertebrate Life. 8th ed. San Francisco: Cummings. 736 p.

• Chordate diversity

Number ofspecies

From: Kardong, 2009

Chordate characteristicsThe chordates share five features:

Notochord tubular dorsal nerve tube Pharyngeal slits Endostyle or thyroid glands Postanal tail

Only in embryo or persist in adult – distinguish chordates from all other phyla

From: Kardong 2009

Animal size

From: Hickman et al. 2011

Five grades of complexity:Protoplasmic: unicellular organismsCellular: aggregation of cells functionally differentiatedCell-tissue: aggregation of similar cellsOrgans: several tissues for common functionOrgan systems: cooperation of organs for common function

Architecture of Animal Organization 1

From: Hickman et al. 2011

Organ systems serve 11 basic functions

3 Structural: skeletal, muscular, integumentary

4 Metabolic: digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory

3 Integrative: nervous, endocrine, immune

Reproductive

Every animal is a functional solution about how to live and how to survive.

Architecture of Animal Organization 2

Notochord Rod-like, flexible structure dorsal along longitudinal axis of the body

Dorsal of alimentary canal

after: Kardong 2009

From: Hickman et al. 2011

Notochord structure Core of cells and fluid, encased in fibrous connective tissue sheath Hydrostatic organ, provides support, but is flexible, and allows

swimming motion through lateral pressure against the surrounding substrate

In vertebrates the vertebral column replaces function of the notochord, but the notochord serves as a scaffold for the growing body of the embryo

Dorsal tubular nerve cord In Chordates, the nerve cord develops from dorsal ectodermal cells that

form an invagination and sink inward Dorsal of and parallel to notochord Chordate nerve cord is hollow (neurocoel) and is filled with fluid In vertebrates anterior end enlarged to form brain (Cf. Invertebrates: nerve cord mostly ventral to gut and solid)

after: Kardong 2009

Development of vertebrate neural tube

From: Hickman et al.2011

Pharyngeal slits Pharynx is part of the digestive system and have a series of longitudinal slits

at some stage of the development

Water → mouth → pharynx → pharyngeal slits (filter food, gas exchange)

Postanal tailAll chordates have a posterior elongation of the body behind the anus. The tail

fulfils an important role in locomotion in water

after: Kardong 2009

Endostyle or thyroid gland The endostyle or its derivate occurs in all chordates but in no other

animals Endostyle in the pharyngeal floor of protochordates secretes mucus

that traps small food, secrets iodinated proteins Homologous with thyroid gland

From: Hickman et al. 2011

Other characteristics Bilateral symmetry

Fully developed digestive tract, tube in tube

Well-developed coelom

Three germ layers

Segmented muscles

Ventral heart with dorsal and ventral blood vessels

Closed blood system

Endoskeleton from cartilage or bone

• Chordate classification

Phylum Chordata - have a notochord

Subphylum Urochordata (Tunicata)

Subphylum Cephalochordata (Lancelets)

Subphylum Vertebrata = Craniata

Superclass Agnatha (Cyclostomata) - no jaws

Class Myxini (hagfish)

Class Petromyzontida (lampreys)

Superclass Gnathostomata - jaws

Class Chondrichthyes - cartilaginous skeleton

Class Osteichthyes - bony skeleton

Class Amphibia

Class Reptilia

Class Aves

Class Mammalia

AN

AM

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TA

Fish

es

Te

trapo

ds

Chordata - have a notochord

Urochordata (Tunicata)

Cephalochordata (Lancelets)

Vertebrata = Craniata

Agnatha (Cyclostomata) - no jaws

Myxini (hagfish) – 4 pairs tentacles

Petromyzontida (lampreys)

Gnathostomata - jaws

Chondrichthyes - cartilaginous skeleton

Osteichthyes - bony skeleton

Amphibia

Reptilia

Aves

Mammalia

Chordata - have a notochord

Urochordata (Tunicata)

Cephalochordata (Lancelets)

Vertebrata = Craniata

Agnatha (=Cyclostomata) - no jaws

Myxini (hagfish)

Petromyzontida (lampreys)

Gnathostomata - jaws

Chondrichthyes - cartilaginous skeleton

Osteichthyes - bony skeleton

Amphibia – tetrapod

Reptilia

Aves

Mammalia

Chordata - have a notochord

Urochordata (Tunicata)

Cephalochordata (Lancelets)

Vertebrata = Craniata

Agnatha (Cyclostomata) - no jaws

Myxini (hagfish)

Petromyzontida (lampreys)

Gnathostomata - jaws

Chondrichthyes - cartilaginous skeleton

Osteichthyes - bony skeleton

Amphibia

Reptilia – cleidoic egg

Aves – feathers

Mammalia – hair, mammary glands

Chordata - have a notochord

Protochordata (Acraniata) - no head

Urochordata (Tunicata)

Cephalochordata (Lancelets)

Vertebrata = Craniata

Agnatha (Cyclostomata) - no jaws

Myxini (hagfish)

Petromyzontida (lampreys)

Gnathostomata - jaws

Chondrichthyes - cartilaginous skeleton

Osteichthyes - bony skeleton

Amphibia

Reptilia

Aves

Mammalia

Larvae - notochord & nerve cordAdults sessile with tunic

Notochord & nerve cord - body length

Cladogram of living Chordates

From: Hickman et al. 2011

Number of Vertebrate Species

From: Pough et al. 2009