Vertebrate Zoology

Catalog description

Fish, frogs, flamingos, and ferrets. What unites them? A backbone. This course addresses how these very diverse groups of animals actually relate and differ, in physiology, morphology and behavior. Students will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being a member of each group, and compare across groups the things that set these groups apart from each other. The course will consist of group discussions based on the required reading in the text, supplemented extensively by direct examples (preserved and live specimens, tissues and samples) showing how the diversity of vertebrates makes them an incredibly interesting group.