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Diversity across the Animal World

Overview

  • Credit value: 15 credits at Level 5
  • Convenor: to be confirmed
  • Assessment: a lab book (30%) and end-of-module test (70%)

Module description

In this module we introduce you to the variety of animal life. All of the major animal groups will be studied, covering in each case their evolution, anatomy, functional morphology and ecology of invertebrates and vertebrates. Lectures will be associated with laboratory practicals within which you will handle and observe a wide range of animal specimens, and develop a range of skills involved in the study of a range of animals.

Indicative syllabus

  • What is an animal? Multicellularity, sponges and cnidaria; structure of sponges, sponge feeding, cnidarian lifestyles and diversity, cnidarian feeding and symbiosis, cnidarian reproduction; coral reefs
  • World of worms, multiple evolution of worm morphology, body cavities and tissue types, introduction to parasitism; platyhelminthes, nematodes, annelids and minor ‘worm’ phyla; platyhelminth nervous system, feeding and variety of parasitic life cycles; nematode structure, uses and parasitism; annelid structure and ecology
  • Molluscs, adaptive radiation, evolutionary mechanisms; molluscan anatomy and how mollusc characters are modified in gastropods, bivalves and cephalopods; mollusc gas exchange and reproduction, sense organs and the cephalopod eye; mollusc ecology
  • Arthropods, arthropod origins, biomechanics of exoskeleton, arthropod mouth parts and appendages, nervous system, colonies, metamorphism, coevolution with plants and as parasites, insect domination
  • Echinoderms, deuterostome embryology, unique structure and morphology, ecology, relationships and evolution
  • Invertebrate chordates, acquisition of vertebrate characters, jawless and cartilaginous vertebrates, basic chordate anatomy, evolution of teeth and paired limbs
  • Bone-bearing vertebrates, evolution of limbs and terrestrialisation, vertebrate reproduction styles
  • Mammals including humans, especially skeletal and physiological innovations
  • Summary of animal evolution, extinctions, radiations

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

  • understand the biology of different animal groups, forming the basis for any further studies on animal biology
  • describe the variety of animal life, from the simplest body plans of sponges and jellyfish to the most complex vertebrates, molluscs and arthropods
  • discuss the evolution of, and interrelationships between, invertebrate and vertebrate groups
  • describe the differences in the embryology, development, internal structure, reproduction and ecology of different animal groups
  • explain the evolution and adaptation of characters within diverse animal groups including the molluscs, arthropods, echinoderms and vertebrates
  • account for the evolution of highly specialised lifestyles such as parasitism, terrestrialisation and flight
  • skilfully handle and observe dried and preserved animal specimens, making accurate notes and illustrations
  • use incident and transmitted light microscopes independently to study a variety of specimens
  • handle live animal specimens, making recordings and observations
  • undertake dissection of particular animals to observe external and internal features
  • work as part of a team to study natural materials and solve problems.