Course Title | Chordate |
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Course Level | 200 |
Credit Unit | 2 |
Overview: This course is all about a group of animals called chordates. You will learn about these animals and the basis for their being called and grouped together as chordates. You will also learn about the invertebrate and vertebrate forms of chordates and the general outline of their classification. By studying chordates, you will be learning about animals around you and those you do see or hear about in distant lands and waters. Indeed, you will be learning about fishes, snakes, crocodiles, lizards (reptiles), frogs, toads (amphibians), doves, pigeons, chickens (birds), goats, sheep, elephants, lions and humans (mammals). In addition, you will learn about their migration from aquatic to terrestrial environments and the adaptations that have accompanied their change of abode. You will have the opportunity to learn about the possible origins of these animals and how they have moved to occupy different ecological niches including their current distribution pattern around the world.
COURSE SYNOPSIS:
Introduction to chordates
General Characteristics of Chordates
Classification of Chordates
Hemichordata
Urochordata
Cephalochordata
Vertebrate chordates I
Vertebrata
Gnathostomata
Amphibia
Reptilia
Aves (I)
Aves (II)
Vertebrate chordates II
Mammalian
Eutherians: Proboscidea, Sirenia, Carnivora
Eutherians: Edentata, Artiodactyla, Cetacea
Eutherians: Perissodactyla, Chiroptera, Insectivora
Eutherians: Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Primata
Evolution, Adaptive Radiation and Zoogeography
Evolution of Chordates
Adaptive Radiation of Chordates
Zoogeography of the Nearctic and Neotropical Regions
Zoogeography of the Palaearctic and Afrotropical Regions
Zoogeography of the Oriental and Australasian Region