Natural History of the Vertebrates LS3114

Instructor: Mr. Doyle L. Crosswhite; B.S. Biological Science/Chemistry, Northwestern Oklahoma State University; M.S. Zoology, Oklahoma State University

Office: JA404    Office Hours: by appointment only.

Phone: 405/878-5194    Fax: 405/878-5198    E-mail: dlcrosswhite@sgc.edu

Homepage: http://intranet.sgc.edu/people/faculty/dlcrosswhite

Course Description: A survey of vertebrate animals emphasizing those taxa indigenous to Oklahoma; vertebrate morphology, behavior, phylogenetic relationships and conservation of endangered North American vertebrates. Lecture, group discussions, assigned readings, and laboratory exercises will be integrated as dictated by the nature of the material at hand. prerequisites: General Zoology. Laboratory and field trips required. $25.00 laboratory fee.

Goals of the Course: Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

1. demonstrate a working knowledge of classification and taxonomy of vertebrates.
2. understand phylogenetic relationships among vertebrates.
3. show an appreciation for the natural history and conservation of major vertebrate taxa endemic to North America.

Required Materials:

Pough, H. F., J. B. Heiser, and W. N. McFarland. 1996. Vertebrate life 4th edition. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. ISBN 0-02-396370-0

Other supplementary reading materials are included on a general bibliography for students (see below).

Dissecting Kit

Method of Student Evaluation:

* note: There will be no make up lab quizzes.

Grading Scale:

The following traditional grading scale will be used. There will be no curve. Extra credit questions and projects will be available periodically throughout the semester.

Note: Academic dishonesty including plagiarism will result in a zero for that assignment and discipline as warranted in accordance with university guidelines.

General Guidelines:

• Students are expected to attend all lectures & laboratories and to be on time!  If you must be absent, arrive late or leave early, please inform me in advance.  I will take roll each class period.  If you are not present for class, an absence will be recorded.  I make no value judgments as to the nature of the absence, but simply record that you were not present. Obviously, unforeseen circumstances arise.  If you cannot be in class, you must make up all assignments before the next class meeting.  You may communicate with the instructor by phone or e-mail for additional information about the class that you missed.

• Class Participation: Each student begins with 100 points.  Points are lost by failure to participate; 10 points/absence and 5 points/tardy or early departure.  IF YOU MISS MORE THAN FIVE CLASSES/LABS IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO PASS THE CLASS.

• LATE WORK RECEIVES 1/2 CREDIT.

• Please do not begin putting away your materials, talking to your neighbor, and/or disrupting class until you are excused at the end of the session.

• Each student MUST HAVE A FUNCTIONAL SGU E-MAIL ADDRESS!  I suggest that you check your messages daily.

Disability Statement:

Any student with a disability that will affect his/her progress in this class and registered with student services should inform me immediately after the first class meeting.

Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism:

Academic dishonesty including plagiarism will result in a zero for that assignment and discipline as warranted in accordance with university guidelines. The Distinction Between Plagiarizing and Paraphrasing: Plagiarizing- To take and use as your own, someone else’s ideas, or writing. Quotation marks are required if you use text verbatim or if you use an author's key phrases or sentence structure. Paraphrasing- To restate the meaning (passage or text) in your own words. Paraphrasing requires a citation. There is a subtle distinction between plagiarism and paraphrasing. The best way to avoid plagiarism is to take notes in your own words.  SEE COURSE TOOLS BELOW.

Laboratory Etiquette:

• The most important part of a laboratory exercise is the first fifteen or twenty minutes during which time I present a brief introduction & instructions.  Please be on time!

• The most certain way of ensuring success in lab is to always READ THE LABORATORY EXERCISE BEFORE CLASS!

• The second most reliable way to succeed in this class is to STAY FOR THE ENTIRE LABORATORY SESSION every week.  If you finish early I suggest you go back and review material from previous labs in preparation for the next quiz.

• Do not eat, drink, or use tobacco while in the laboratory.

• Handle preserved specimens, microscopes, and other equipment carefully.

• Clean your laboratory station and return all equipment to its proper place after each lab exercise.

Course Outline:

Natural Selection, Origin of New Species
Classification; Phylogenetics
Dichotomous Keys
Vertebrate Ancestors & Origins; Gnathostomes
Morphology & Development
Homeostasis & Energetics
Osteichthyes & Chondrichthyes
Tetrapod Origins
Modern Amphibians
Dinosaurs and Reptiles
Birds
Mammals
Field & Museum Techniques

Bibliography:

Baumgartner, F. M. and A. M. Baumgartner. 1992. Oklahoma bird life. University of Oklahoma Press. Norman, OK.

Collins, J. T. 1993. Amphibians and reptiles in Kansas. University of Kansas Printing. Lawrence, KS.

Conant, R. and J. T. Collins. 1991. A field guide to reptiles and amphibians of eastern/central North America. Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston.

Dunne, P., D. Sibley, and C. Sutton. 1988. Hawks in flight. Haughton Mifflin Co. Boston, MA.

Grzybowski, J. A, J. Aterburn, W. A. Carter, J. S. Tomer, and D. W. Verser. 1992. Date guide to the occurrences of birds in Oklahoma (2^nd ed.). Oklahoma Ornithological Society, Norman, OK.

Jones, J. K., Jr., D. M. Armstrong, and J. R. Choate. 1985. Guide to mammals of the great plains. University of Nebraska Press. Lincoln, NE.

National Geographic Society. 1987. Field guide to the birds of North America. National Geographic Society, Washington D.C.

Organ, J. A. 1972. A manual for the biology of the vertebrates. Avery Publishing Group, Inc., Wayne, New Jersey.

Peterson, R. T. 19--. A field guide to western birds. Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston, MA.

Ralph, C. J. and J. M. Scott eds. 1980. Estimating numbers of terrestrial birds. Studies in avian biology No. 6. Cooper Ornithological Society.

Robbins, C. S., B. Bruum, and H. S. Zim. 1983. A guide to field identification: Birds of North America. Golden Press. New York, NY.

Sauer, J. R. and S. Droge. 1990. Survey designs and statistical methods for the estimation of bird population trends. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Biol. Rep. 90(1).

Sutton, G. M. 1967. Oklahoma birds; their ecology and distribution. University of Oklahoma Press. Norman, OK.

Webb, R. G. 1970. Reptiles of Oklahoma. Univ. Okla. Press, Norman.

Wood, D. S. and G. D. Schnell.1984. Distributions of Oklahoma birds. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, OK.

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