Ichthyology

Catalog description

Biology of fishes. Students will develop fundamental understanding of the evolutionary history and systematics of fishes to provide a context within which they can address aspects of biology including anatomy, physiology (e.g., in species that change sex; osmoregulation in freshwater vs. saltwater), and behavior (e.g., visual, auditory, chemical, electric communication; social structures), ecology, and evolution (e.g., speciation). We will explore the biodiversity of fishes around the world, with emphasis on Ohio species, by examining preserved specimens, observing captive living specimens, and observing, capturing, and identifying wild fishes in their natural habitats. Practical applications will be emphasized, such as aquaculture, fisheries management, and biomedical research. Course will conclude with an analysis of the current global fisheries crisis that has resulted from human activities. There will be many field trips and networking with the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and local, state, and federal government agencies. Some classes meet at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. This course satisfies a laboratory requirement of the B.A. and B.S. in biology. The graduate version of the course requires a research project and term paper. Offered as BIOL 338 and BIOL 438 . Prereq: Graduate Standing.