ZOO4713 — COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
This course is designed to familiarize the student with morphological and anatomical features of vertebrates from a comparative evolutionary perspective. The course starts with an introduction to the comparative method, including evolutionary concepts such as homology and homoplasy. The underlying biology of tissue-organ systems and evolutionary perspectives on the origin, maintenance, and diversification of form among the vertebrates will be discussed. The remainder of the course will be an overview of major organ systems, interspersed with discussion of particular vertebrate phenomenon that highlight the development, function and/or evolution of these organ systems.