COURSE TITLE: Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Fall, 2013BIO 3302; Lecture, 10:00-11:15 am, TH; LSE 204TEXT: Vertebrates:Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution, 6th ed. (2012), by Kenneth V. KardongINSTRUCTOR: Dr. Stan Trauth, Professor of Zoology OFFICE: LSW 146 (Electron Microscope Facility); office hours 4-5, M-H. OBJECTIVES OF COURSE: Survey of vertebrate anatomy with emphasis on evolutionary history and homology. Also, the functional significance of anatomical structures will be addressed. TENTATIVE LECTURE OUTLINE--SUBJECT MATERIAL FOUND IN THE FOLLOWING CHAPTERS: Aug. 20-27 - Introduction; Vertebrate Body Plan (Chpts 1, 2 & 4) – PPs 1-3Aug. 29-Sept. 5 - Vertebrate Classification (Chpt 3) – PPs 4-6Sept. 10-17 - Early Vertebrate Morphogenesis (Chpt 5) – PP 7Sept. 19 - 1st EXAM Sept. 24-26 - Integument (Chpt 6) – PP 8Oct. 1-3 - Vertebrae (Chpt 8) – PP 9; Vertebrate Skull (Chpt 7) – PP 9Oct. 8-10 - Appendicular Skeleton (Chpt 9) – PP 9Oct. 15-17 - Muscles (Chpt 10) – PP 10Oct. 22-24 - Digestive System (Chpt 13) – PP 11Oct. 29 - 2nd EXAMOct. 31 - Respiratory System (Chpt 11) – PP 12Nov. 5-7 - Circulatory System (Chpt 12) – PP 13Nov. 12 - Urogenital System (Chpt 14) – PP 14 Nov. 14 - Nervous System (Chpt 16) – PP 15Nov. 19 - Sense Organs (Chpt 17) – PP 16; Endocrine Organs (Chpt 15) – PP 17Nov. 21 - 3rd ExamNov. 25-30 - Fall Break and Thanksgiving Holiday

Dec. 9 (Tuesday) - FINAL EXAM (8:00-10:00 am)

Total Points: 500 pts. (300 pts.—Lecture Exams; 200 pts.—Comprehensive Final) 

A - 450 pts.B - 400-449 C - 350-399D - 300-349F < 299

 Attendance is MANDITORY. Make-up exams MUST be taken no later than one lecture period following the original test date. Arkansas State University ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICYArkansas State University enthusiastically promotes academic integrity and professional ethics among all members of the ASU academic community. Violations of this policy are considered as serious misconduct and may result in disciplinary action and severe penalties. 

Comparative Anatomy of Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebratesthe Vertebrates

IntroductionIntroductionPart 1Part 1

Figure 1.1. Aggregate of copperheads andIndividual tongue flicking.

Before birds, there were carnivores by which feathers evolved.

Figure 1.2.

Evolutionary RelationshipsEvolutionary Relationships

One theory of feather origin is based on developmental stages that feathers exhibit today, which are related to different theropod dinosaur groups.

Figure 1.3.

Teleology –Teleology – a structure is acquired because it “needs” a structure is acquired because it “needs” it it (i.e., intelligent design; this ideology does not fall within the (i.e., intelligent design; this ideology does not fall within the realm of scientific investigation)realm of scientific investigation)..

““Birds have wings; THEREFORE, they CAN fly. They Birds have wings; THEREFORE, they CAN fly. They don’t spout wings because they NEED to fly.” (Avoid don’t spout wings because they NEED to fly.” (Avoid the use of the word “need” in any statement in the use of the word “need” in any statement in Comparative Anatomy.) Comparative Anatomy.)

Ontogeny-Ontogeny- individual organism develops individual organism develops (e.g., embryo to (e.g., embryo to adult)adult)..

In the evolutionary In the evolutionary process, is there a process, is there a push push backback to to juvenile stages?juvenile stages?

Figure 1.4.

Time Magazine, Oct. 31, 2011Time Magazine, Oct. 31, 2011

Newborn Chimpanzee Adult Chimpanzee

Figure 1.5.

The The newborn chimpanzee is strikingly human-like (skull and hair), yet these characteristics are lost as it matures (left to right).

Evolution by retaining juvenile characteristic stages.

Skull ComparisonsSkull Comparisons

Modern HumanModern Human [135mm][135mm]

Neanderthal Neanderthal [152 mm][152 mm]

Chimpanzee (female) Chimpanzee (female) [95 mm][95 mm]

Figure 1.6.

In In comparing functionally important genes, humans and chimpanzees are 99.4% similar.

Chimpanzees should be reclassified as Homo troglodytes according to a recent study; currently humans are the only species in the genus Homo.

Evolutionary MorphologyEvolutionary Morphology- study of from and function- study of from and function

HomologyHomology- two or more structures that share common ancestry- two or more structures that share common ancestry AnalogyAnalogy- structures have similar functions- structures have similar functions HomoplasticHomoplastic- structures look similar but distantly related- structures look similar but distantly relatedFigure 1.7. Wing morphology.

Birds: Loss of digits, some bones fused Bats: 5 digits, elongated metacarpals and phalanges

Pterosaurs: elongated fourth digit

Figure 1.8. Fruit fly wing and pteranodon wing analogous and homoplastic structures but not homologous.

MorphologyMorphology is the central is the central theme in evolutionary theme in evolutionary biology.biology.

Cuvier-Cuvier- considered considered morphology to be morphology to be integration of form and integration of form and functionfunction

Figure 1.9. Forelimb bones. Homology in type of bones present (e.g., carpals, humerus, etc.)Homology in type of bones present (e.g., carpals, humerus, etc.) Adaptations give a variety of functions (e.g., walk, fly, swim, etc.)Adaptations give a variety of functions (e.g., walk, fly, swim, etc.) Natural SelectionNatural Selection- variations in organisms result in varying degrees of - variations in organisms result in varying degrees of

success in competition (i.e., survival of the “reproductive” fittest)success in competition (i.e., survival of the “reproductive” fittest)

Vertebrate Vertebrate embryos are embryos are structurally structurally similar in early similar in early embryonic embryonic stages.stages.

Figure 1.10. Vertebrate embryo development.