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Lecturer(s)
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Matysioková Beata, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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Overview of anatomy of tunicates, amphioxus and vertebrates. Phylogenetic relationships, anatomy and evolutionary novelties in major vertebrate groups. Important transitions in the evolution of vertebrates and major trends in their phylogenetic history.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Lecture
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Learning outcomes
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The aim of the course is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the diversity, anatomy, systematics, phylogeny, and evolution of chordates, with particular emphasis on vertebrates. The course focuses on the basic characteristics of major vertebrate groups, their phylogenetic relationships, and the major evolutionary changes that have shaped their present-day diversity. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding vertebrate body organization and function, as well as the significance of major evolutionary innovations, including the origin of jaws and limbs, adaptations to terrestrial life, and the evolution of amniotes. Attention is also given to the relationships between morphology, anatomy, ecology, and behaviour and to their significance for understanding adaptation and ecological diversity among vertebrates. The course also aims to develop students' basic ability to identify and classify vertebrates using morphological characters, vocalizations, and diagnostic features of skulls. Particular attention is given to representatives of the vertebrate fauna of the Czech Republic and their biology. An important objective of the course is to prepare students as future biology teachers to communicate fundamental knowledge about vertebrates in the context of biological education. Emphasis is therefore placed not only on acquiring subject knowledge but also on understanding and connecting biological concepts and evolutionary relationships so that students can use them when explaining fundamental principles and teaching topics related to vertebrate systematics, evolution, anatomy, ecology, and biodiversity.
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to: describe the basic characteristics of chordates and vertebrates and explain their position within the animal kingdom; recognize and characterize the major groups of vertebrates based on their typical morphological and anatomical features; explain the basic body organization of vertebrates and the functions of the major organ systems; describe the major changes that occurred during vertebrate evolution and explain their importance for adaptation to different environmental conditions; explain the significance of major evolutionary innovations, including the origin of jaws, limbs, adaptations to terrestrial life, and the evolution of amniotes; understand the basic phylogenetic relationships among the major groups of vertebrates and use this knowledge when identifying and characterizing them; describe the habitats, basic ecological requirements, lifestyles, and selected behavioral characteristics of representative vertebrate species; identify selected vertebrate groups and species using external morphological features, vocalizations, and characteristic skull features; correctly assign selected vertebrate representatives to the appropriate taxonomic groups and justify their classification using characteristic diagnostic features; apply the acquired knowledge to explain basic biological and evolutionary relationships among vertebrates in the context of biology education.
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Prerequisites
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Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of general zoology, animal morphology and anatomy, and the fundamental principles of evolution and systematics. They should be familiar with basic biological terminology and have a basic understanding of phylogenetic relationships and classification.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Written exam
Credit: standard determination test - 20 objects (6 fishes, 2 amphibians, 2 reptiles, 6 birds and 4 mammals). Students have to mention by each object the classification: order (0.5 pt.) - family (0.5 pt.) - genus + species (2 pt.). The total is 60 points and the required minimum for successful passing is 50 points. Exam: written test, 20 questions - Total of 100 points. The required minimum is 60 pts. Exam marks: 92 - 100 pts. = A, 84 - 91 pts. = B, 76 - 83 pts. = C, 68 - 75 pts. = D, 60 - 67 pts. = E.
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Recommended literature
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Gaisler J. a J. Zima. (2007). Zoologie obratlovců. Praha.
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Kardong, K. V. (2002). Vertebrates. Comparative anatomy, function, evolution. 2nd edition. Columbus.
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Pough, F. H., Heiser, J. B. & McFarland, W. N. (2002). Vertebrate life. 6th edition. Prentice Hall.
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Roček, Z. (2002). Historie obratlovců. Evoluce, fylogeneze, systém. Praha.
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