Zoology

Animal Behavior

Stimulus, response; homeostasis

Taxis: photo, geo, chemo, thigmo, thermo; kinesis

Circadian rhythm, biological clock; migration, follow the food!, hibernation, homeostasis; pheromones

Instinct, innate

Habituation, imprinting, Lorenz, imitation

Conditioning: classical, Pavlov, operant, Skinner; role of voluntary vs. involuntary response

Survivorship, fitness!!!!

Costs of behavior: energy, opportunity, risk

Territoriality, optimal foraging

nocturnal, diurnal

Social behavior: benefits, costs, communication, mating, defense

cooperation, reciprocity, altruism

Altruism, inclusive fitness, kin selection, eusocial; bee and ant colonies

Cognition, insight, tool use, cultural behavior

Bess beetle-adaptations, behavior; experimental design

sexual selection (intra-, inter-), displays

+/- taxis

conditioning (classical/operant); optimal foraging; habituation

cryptic choice

cryptic coloration; mimicry; warning coloration

“sneaker males”; alpha males

Life in a Liquid Matrix

properties of light: wave, wavelength, transmit, reflect, refract, absorb, scatter

electromagnetic spectrum

ocean zones: continental shelf, slope, rise, intertidal, benthic, pelagic. photic, aphotic

turbidity

infauna, epifauna; flora

adaptations for success in intertidal/spray zones

why do animals live in an environment that is so difficult?

Porifera

cellular level of organization: amoebocytes, pinacocytes, choanocytes, osculum, spongocoel,spicule, spongin

sessile; diffusion

filter feeder; marine snow

Cnidaria

body plan: medusa vs. polyp

mesoglea, gastrovascular cavity, epi-, gastrodermis, nerve net, tentacles, mouth/anus, eyespots

U-gut

nematocysts

coral bleaching

Mollusca

Defining characteristics (i.e. radula, mantle, etc.); diagrams

Squid diagrams; dissection

Defense mechanisms

Cuttlefish video; “electric skin”, chromatophores; inter-/intrasexual selection

Intelligence

Echinodermata

Defining characteristics; diagrams

Classification

Sea star dissection

Water vascular system-function? Canals? Purpose?

Ossicles, pedicellariae, dermal branchiae

Feeding strategies

Regeneration

Chordata-Vertebrate Characteristics

Defining characteristics

Classification

Early examples

Four features: notochord, hollow nerve cord, post-anal tail, pharyngeal slits

Endo- vs, exoskeleton

Homeostasis and temperature control: ecto- vs. endothermy

Tetrapod

Cladogram construction and usage

Fish

Defining characteristics; diagrams

Classification

Chondrichthyes/osteichthyes

Respiration; gills; countercurrent flow

Jaw development

Anatomical structures; fish observations

Sensory systems—aquatic vs. terrestrial

Adaptations for predation

Adaptations for life on land; tetrapod

Metamorphosis

Varied respiration strategies: lungs, gills, skin

Reproductive strategies: oviparous

Homeostatic mechanisms

Aves (*Covered in semester one but seen again with aquatic birds and chick hatch in semester 2.)

Defining characteristics

Classification

Adaptation for flight

Airfoil design; more power, less weight

Sternum/keel; pectoralis, supracoracoideus; rope and pulley design

Pneumatized bones; “naked” feet

Migration; how? where? why?

Feathers—anatomy? Function?

Social behavior; flocking

Reproductive anatomy; altricial vs. precocial; amniotic egg

Chick hatch and behaviors

Mammalia

Defining characteristics

Classification

Four features; hair, mammary glands, chewing jaw, three bones in middle ear

Reproductive differences among monotremes, marsupials, eutherians (placental)

Functions of hair; structure; keratin

Dentition; heterodont; deciduous teeth; herbi-, carni-, omni-, insectivore

Digestion of cellulose

Skull analysis

Conservation Science

HICOP; Red List; bioindicators

biomimicry

biodiversity; Biggest Little Farm

Thematic claims:

Form fits function.

Color has meaning.

Patterns (anatomical and/or behavioral) are seen across disparate species.

Nature is the selective force for evolution.

In order to be biologically fit, an animal must successfully eat, avoid being eaten(not die), and reproduce.

Life began in the water and eventually moved up onto land.

Isolation may cause speciation.

Behavior may be instinctive, learned, or both.

Females have greater cost and choice in reproduction.

Humans have a significant impact on other members of the Kingdom Animalia.

Zoos and aquaria have a positive impact.

Zoos and aquaria have a negative impact.