BIO 5047 Vertebrate Biology
Vertebrates are a group of organisms that share a common structural design - the vertebral column. Despite that structural commonality, they are a surprisingly diverse group of animals in terms of morphology, metabolism, behavior and geographic distribution. In this course we will examine the physiology, ecology, reproductive strategy and evolution of vertebrates ranging from fish to fowl. Topics will include, but not be limited to, the evolution of early vertebrates, physiological adaptations to life on land, in the water and in the air, phylogenetic relationships between vertebrate classes, and a comparison of reproductive strategies.