In Marine Vertebrate Zoology, students study the structure and function of chordates, especially those in water such as fish, whales and seals, and the behavioral, ecological, physiological and structural adaptations to various modes of living, stressing local marine forms.
Goals for this class:
Goals for this class:
- To learn the phylogenetic tree of marine vertebrates and be familiar with their taxonomic diversity, and to describe evolutionary trends among different vertebrate groups;
- To improve your understanding of the basic anatomical, physiological, and behavioral adaptations that marine vertebrates use to carry out their life cycles;
- To recognize local fish species, learn how to collect them in the field, and be able to describe their life history, ecology, and predominant habitat;
- To understand issues surrounding conservation of biodiversity in the marine environment.