Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and Evolution

Biology 330
Spring, 2017
Lecture: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00 - 11:00
Leidy 109
Instructor:

Prof. Art Dunham [adunham@sas.upenn.edu]

206 Goddard Lab s Phone 215-898-4117
Office Hours By Appointment

Texts: K. V. Kardong. 2009. Vertebrates: comparative anatomy, function, evolution. (7th edition). McGraw-Hill.

CANVAS
The course Canvas site will contain any announcements related to lecture as well as
copies of course documents (lecture slides [pdf format]).

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The Code of Academic Integrity (CAI) will be strictly enforced. Any violation will
result in failure in the course and potentially other punitive action. All instances of
CAI violation will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct.

Tentative Lecture Schedule

Date
Jan. 11

Topic

Readings

Introduction, General Principles (Homology, Phylogenetic Inference,

Development, Function)

Chapter 1.

13

General Principles (cont.), Phylogeny of Chordates, Chordate

Characters

Chapters 2, 3.

16

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day No Class

18

Phylogeny of Chordates, Origin of Vertebrates

Chapters 2, 3.

20

Jawless Fish Diversity: Agnathans and Placoderms

Chapter 3.

23

Jawless Fishes and the Origin of Jaws: Evolution and Diversity of

Fishes I

Chapter 3.

25

Vertebrate Diversity: Evolution and Diversity of Fishes II

Chapter 3.

27

Vertebrate Diversity: Evolution and diversity of Fishes III

Chapter 3.

30

Sarcopterygian Diversity: Transition to Land

Chapter 3.

Feb. 1

Transition to Land: Amphibian Radiations I

Chapter 3.

Vertebrate Diversity: Origin of Amniotes

Chapter 3.

Amniote Radiations Diapsids I

Chapter 3.

EXAM I

10

Amniote Radiations Diapsids II

Chapter 3.

15

Amniote Radiations Radiations I Diapsids III

Chapter 3.

17

Amniote Radiations Synapsids I

Chapter 3.

20

Vertebrate embryology and early development

Chapter 5.

22

Cranial Skeleton I

Chapters 5, 7.

24

Cranial skeleton II

Chapter 7

Tentative Lecture Schedule - Continued

Date

Topic

Readings

27

Postcranial skeleton I

Chapter 8,9.

Mar. 1

Postcranial skeleton II

Chapter 8,9.

Nervous System I

Chapter 16.

SPRING BREAK

Chapter 16.

13

Nervous System II

Chapter 16.

15

Nervous System III

Chapter 12.

17

Circulation I

Chapter 12.

20

EXAM II

22

Circulation II

Chapter 12.

24

Circulation III

Chapter 14.

27

Reproduction and Excretion I

29

Reproduction and Excretion II

Chapter 14.

31

Reproduction and Excretion III

Chapter 14.

Apr. 3

Respiration I

Chapter 11.

Respiration II

Chapter 11.

Temperature Regulation and Water Balance I

Chapter 14.

10

Temperature Regulation and Water Balance II

Chapter 14.

12

Digestion I

Chapter 13.

14

Digestion II

Chapter 13.

17

Special Senses I

Chapter 17.

19

Special Senses II

Chapter 17.

3
4 - 12

Tentative Lecture Schedule - Continued

Date
Apr. 21

Topic
Special Senses III

24

TBA

26

EXAM III

Readings
Chapter 17.

Grading:
Point Distribution:
3 Exams @ 100 points each
Final Examination

300
100

Note: The final is cumulative and optional your grade

will be based on your three highest three scores.