Marine Vertebrate Anatomy and Biology “Ten percent of the big fish still remain. There are still some blue whales. There are still some krill in Antarctica. There are a few oysters in Chesapeake Bay. Half the coral reefs are still in pretty good shape, a jeweled belt around the middle of the planet. There’s still time, but not a lot, to turn things around.” –Sylvia Earle Fall 2016 Oct 10 – Oct 20 M-Th, 10am – 12pm, 1pm – 4pm F 1pm – 5pm Oct 21 F 3pm – 5pm Curriculum Adviser: Dr. Hannah Tadros (DVM) Office Hours:

by appt

Grading:

A–F

Credit hours:

3 Semester Hours, 50 class hours

Textbooks:

1. Functional Anatomy of the Vertebrates, 3rd ed. Liem et al, Harcourt, 2001. 2. The Marine Biology Coloring Book, 2nd ed. Niesen, Collins Reference, 2000.

Additional Reading: You will be provided with journal articles that will be used for some homework assignments and class discussions. I. Rationale: This course is an introduction to marine vertebrate life: hagfishes, lampreys, cartilaginous and bony fishes, sea turtles, crocodilians, marine lizards and snakes, many groups of birds, and marine mammals. Even for students who do not intend to work with aquatic species, an understanding of marine vertebrates is important for a complete comprehension of zoological medicine. Approximately 30% of living vertebrate species are marine or marine-associated. Numerous facilities, from sanctuaries to conservation sites to zoos and museums, house and care for both aquatic and land animals; a solid knowledge base of marine vertebrate anatomy and

biology is vital for many careers in the fields of veterinary care and animal husbandry. The coursework involved in this course, including a focus on comparative anatomy, will help students prepare for the Marine Vertebrates Lab which follows. There is particular advantage to taking this course in Thailand, as the Marine Vertebrates Lab will allow students the unique experience of studying these animals in their natural marine habitats and in a local sea turtle rescue. II. Course Aims and Outcomes: • Learn about the structure, function, and evolution of aquatic and semi-aquatic vertebrates • Discover how the anatomy relates to function, biological role, and evolution • Identify families, classes, and species of marine vertebrates • Prepare to observe and identify marine vertebrates in Thailand • Explore how veterinary care for marine mammals differs from veterinary care for terrestrial mammals • Demonstrate a basic understanding of how the ten organ systems present in marine vertebrates: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, and reproductive. • Compare and contrast organ systems across the species of animals studied in the course • Relate organ systems to those studied in companion animals III. Format and Procedures: Attendance There are many benefits to classes in module format. Primarily, the students and instructor only need to engage in one course at a time, so they can engage in it fully and completely. As a student, you can focus on this one subject and apply what you’ve learned each day directly to the next. Of course, this also means that there is less time to recover from absence. You are expected to attend both class meetings on all days of class. If you are ill or have a medical emergency that makes you unable to attend, please follow the directions for notifying program staff of a medical problem as soon as possible. You are permitted two unexcused absences without penalty to your grade (To be clear, one day of class is two class sessions, and therefore two class absences if a full day is missed). Each additional unexcused absence will result in a 10% reduction of your grade. Students are responsible for all missed class material. Time and Commitment There will be approximately 2-3 hours of reading and homework to do for each day of class sessions. This material will be the foundation for the Marine Vertebrates Lab that takes place the week after this course. What you learn during this course will be directly applicable to getting the most out of the observation opportunities of the Marine Vertebrates Lab. Technology You are welcome to use a laptop to take notes in class if you prefer. It is certainly not required.

Please ensure that your phone is off during class sessions. Grading Your course grade will be determined as follows: Exam 1: 20% Exam 2: 20% Assignment 1: 10% Assignment 2: 10% Homework: 10% Class Participation: 10% Final exam: 20% Grading Scale A: 90-100 B: 80-89 C: 70-79 D: 60-69 F: 0-59 Missed Exams If you must be absent from a scheduled exam outside of a medical emergency, make arrangements by phone or email for approval to take the make-up exam before the scheduled exam is administered. Otherwise, a 0 will be earned for the exam and no make-up will be permitted. IV: Academic Dishonesty Students are encouraged to work together to learn the material. You are expected to prepare your homework assignments and take your exams on your own. Cheating will not be tolerated. Any student involved in academic dishonesty on assignments or exams will receive a 0 for that assignment or exam and may be removed from the course and given a failing grade. V. Accommodations for students with disabilities I am available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that may be required for student with disabilities. Requests for academic accommodations are to be made with the Academic Director before the start of the program, except for unusual circumstances, so arrangements can be made. Students are encouraged to register with Academic Director to verify their eligibility for appropriate accommodations. VI. Course Schedule Class Mon, Oct 10 10am – 12pm

Assignments/Assessments Liem, Chapter 1

Topics • Overview of vertebrate phylogeny

Mon, Oct 10 1pm – 4pm

Liem, Chapter 2

Tues, Oct 11 10am – 12pm

Liem, Chapters 3 and 6

Tues, Oct 11 1pm – 4pm

Wed, Oct 12 10am – 12pm

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Perceptions of anatomy Marine vertebrate diversity Marine diversity in Thailand Integumentary Systems Relationship to companion animal skin Hard tissues Skeletal Systems Relationship to companion animal tissue and bones Shark anatomy Dissection prep

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Shark dissection lab

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Assignment #1: comparative anatomy Liem, Chapters 7, 8, and 9

Wed, Oct 12 1pm – 4pm Thurs, Oct 13 10am – 12pm

Exam 1

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Assignment #1 discussion

Thurs, Oct 13 1pm – 4pm

Liem, Chapters 10 and 11

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Muscles Movement and motion

Fri, Oct 14 1pm – 5pm

Liem, Chapter 12

Mon, Oct 17 10am – 12pm

Liem, Chapters 16, 18, and 20

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Buoyancy Formation movements Sensory Systems Respiratory Systems Comparison to companion animals Excretory systems Food capture and digestion

Mon, Oct 17 1pm – 4pm Tues, Oct 18 10am – 12pm

Tues, Oct 18 1pm – 4pm

• • Liem, Chapter 19 Assignment #2: comparing mammals (elephants and marine mammals)

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Circulatory (Cardiovascular) Systems Comparison of circulatory systems Marine Birds Marine Birds of Thailand and the tropics

Wed, Oct 19 10am – 12pm

Exam 2

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Assignment #2 discussion

Wed, Oct 19 1pm – 4pm

Liem, Chapters 20 and 21

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Reproductive Systems

Thurs, Oct 20 10am – 12pm

“Treating Marine Life” packet

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Reproductive Systems

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Sea Turtles Veterinary care for Marine Mammals Final Exam

Thurs, Oct 20 2pm – 5pm Fri, Oct 21 3pm – 5pm

Final Exam

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Optional Further Resources None of the following books are required; you do not need to purchase them or read them. However, you may find them to be interesting resources on marine biology and marine vertebrates if you are interested in the topic and want to read further. Carson, Rachel. The Sea Around Us. Oxford University Press, 1951. Earle, Syliva. Sea Change: A Message of the Oceans. Fawcett Columbine, 1995. Ellis, Richard. The Empty Ocean. Island Press, 2003. Hargrove, John. Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, Seaworld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish. St. Martin’s Press, 2015. Safina, Carl. Song for the Blue Ocean. Owl Books, 1997. Searle, Ruth. Tropical Marine Environments: Evolution and Ecology in the Oceans. Createspace, 2014. Spotila, James R. Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004.