ZOOLOGY OF CHORDATES STUDY GUIDE - M.O. Zakharenko - 2015

APPENDIX 1.

COURSE SYLLABUS

Class="center">CONTENT MODULE 1. CEPHALOCHORDATES AND TUNICATES

Introduction to the course "Zoology (Chordate Zoology)", systematics of the phylum Chordata. Subject and methodology of chordate zoology. Definition of the concept of "vertebrates", their Significance in nature and the economy. Origin of Chordates. General characteristics of the phylum Chordata. Division into subphyla. The Role of O.O. Kovalevsky's research in establishing animal phyla. Systematics of the phylum Chordata. Subphylum Acrania, class Cephalochordata (lancelets); subphylum Urochordata (Tunicata), classes Ascidiacea, Thaliacea (salps), and Appendicularia; subphylum Vertebrata (Craniata), classes Cyclostomata, Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, and Mammalia.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE subphylum Acrania and the class Cephalochordata. Progressive and primitive features. Relationship between invertebrates and chordates, The Unity of the animal kingdom. The class Cephalochordata as the ancestor of the phylum Chordata. History of discovery, research, and systematics of lancelets. Main families: Branchiostomatidae, Epigonichthyidae, and Amphioxididae. Role in aquatic biocenoses, theoretical significance, and practical use.

Characteristics of the subphylum Tunicata, classes Ascidiacea, Thaliacea, and

Appendicularia. Morphologically regressive evolution: simplification due to a passive and sessile lifestyle. Characteristics of the Class Ascidiacea. Comparison of The Structure of larval and adult ascidians. Classes Thaliacea (salps) and Appendicularia. Role in aquatic biocenoses, theoretical significance, and practical use.

CONTENT MODULE 2. CYCLOSTOMES AND Fishes

Characteristics of the subphylum Vertebrata (Craniata)

Biological progress. Differentiation of the Nervous System, Cranial Nerves. Complexity of the Axial Skeleton, emergence of the Skull, limbs, and their girdles, other evolutionary innovations (aromorphoses). Systematics. Origin of vertebrates.

Characteristics of Jawless vertebrates (Agnatha) and the Class Cyclostomata. Division Agnatha. Class Cyclostomata as the most primitive vertebrates. Structural Features of The Nervous System and skull. Musculoskeletal System, myochordal complex, and other Organ Systems. Reproduction and development, lamprey larvae (ammocoetes). Characteristics of the orders of lampreys and hagfishes. Their practical significance.

General characteristics of the superclass Pisces (fishes), body shape, and adaptation to aquatic life. Primary aquatic Gnathostomes (jawed vertebrates). Body shape, size, feeding, distribution. Adaptation to the aquatic environment, structure of fins, gill respiration, division of the body into regions. Structural features and general characteristics of the Class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes). Features of external structure: transverse Mouth, mobile jaws, placoid scales, Structure of Teeth and gill apparatus. Cartilaginous skeleton, STRUCTURE OF THE skull, Vertebral Column, fins, and their skeleton. Nervous system and Sensory Organs: Olfaction, lateral line, Vision, Hearing. Digestive System, the role of the Liver, voluminous Stomach, and spiral valve. Circulatory system, Heart structure. Reproduction and development. Subclass Elasmobranchii, superorders of sharks and rays. Subclass Holocephali, order Chimaeriformes. Practical significance, use for The production of vitaminized fish oil and medical preparations. Structural features and general characteristics of the class Osteichthyes (bony fishes). Features of external structure. Axial skeleton. Skull, true (replacing) and dermal (membrane) bones. Internal structure. Swim bladder and its Functions. Gill, cutaneous, and pulmonary respiration. Circulatory System and Its structural features. Digestive and excretory systems. Nervous system and sensory organs. Reproductive System, reproduction, development.

Main systematic groups of bony fishes. Ecological groups of fishes. Migrations and their causes. Systematics of the class. Characteristics of the main systematic groups: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes), Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fishes), Coelacanthimorpha (coelacanths), and Dipnoi (lungfishes). Ichthyostegids, The Emergence of structural features that enabled transition to land. Valuable commercial and pond fishes. Significance of bony fishes in fisheries and aquaculture.

CONTENT MODULE 3. AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES.

Characteristics and structural Features of the superclass Tetrapoda and the Class Amphibia. Comparison of the structure of amphibian larvae with fishes. Neoteny. Systematics of the class, characteristics of Caudata (tailed), Gymnophiona (caecilians), and Anura (tailless) amphibians. Practical significance. The frog as a primary subject of laboratory research.

Features of the informal division of vertebrates into anamniotes and amniotes. Comparative characteristics of primary aquatic and primary terrestrial animals. Emergence of embryonic membranes (amnion, allantois, and serosa/chorion) and their significance in Embryogenesis. Structural features and general characteristics of reptiles. The first true terrestrial animals. External structure: Skin, limbs. Pulmonary respiration, Skeletal structure. Nervous system, neopallium, improvement of sensory organs. Circulatory system, heart structure, and major Blood Vessels. Digestive system, emergence of the hard palate. Kidney structure. Reproductive system, reproduction, and development. Origin and systematic position of reptiles. Origin of reptiles. The Permian period. The Mesozoic as the era of reptiles, reasons for the rise and extinction of this fauna. Modern reptiles: Rhynchocephalia (beak-headed reptiles), Testudines (turtles), Crocodilia, Squamata. Snakes and lizards. Significance in nature and in the evolution of chordates.

CONTENT MODULE 4. BIRDS AND MAMMALS.

Cytology/cytology/25.html">General characteristics and structural features of the Class Aves (birds). Origin of birds. Archaeopteryx. Saururae (lizard-tailed/toothed birds) and Ornithurae (fan-tailed birds). Feather structure and adaptation to thermoregulation. Reptilian features in bird anatomy. Nervous system and sensory organs. Adaptations of birds to flight, The impact of this new mode of locomotion on body structure and organ systems. Seasonal phenomena in bird life. Incubation, precocial and altricial birds. Water/58.html">Ecological features of migration and systematics of the class Aves. Bird migrations. Ecological groups, ADAPTATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL conditions. Systematics of the class: penguins, ratites (flightless), and carinates (keeled birds). Characteristics of the main orders: Passeriformes (passerines), Charadriiformes (waders), Columbiformes (pigeons), Galliformes (landfowl), Anseriformes (waterfowl), Ciconiiformes (wading birds), Pelecaniformes (pelicans and allies), birds of prey. Piscivorous (fish-eating) birds. Regulation of

population size. Wild ancestors of domestic birds. Significance in nature, fisheries, and other industries. Poultry farming.

Origin and General Structural Features of the Class Mammalia. Origin of mammals. Skin structure and its derivatives. Hair coat. Intrauterine development, Mammary Glands. Nervous system: Cerebral Cortex, gyri, and sulci. Sensory organs, improvement of their structure. Circulatory system, comparison with birds, erythrocytes, Myoglobin. Respiratory system. Digestive system. Excretory system. Endocrine glands. Neurohumoral regulation of physiological processes. Reproductive system, reproduction in different mammalian subclasses. Systematic origin and significance of individual orders of the class Mammalia. Prototheria (monotremes) - echidna and platypus - similarity to ancestral forms. Modern beasts (Theria). Features of The formation of the Australian fauna. Placental mammals (Placentalia) - the higher subclass of mammals. Main orders: Insectivora (insectivores), Chiroptera (bats), Rodentia (rodents), Lagomorpha (lagomorphs), Carnivora (carnivorans), Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates), Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates), Proboscidea (elephants), Pinnipedia (pinnipeds), Cetacea (cetaceans), Sirenia (sirenians), Primates. Origin of humans. Economic significance and role of mammals in nature.

Animals of different biogeographical Zones of the Earth and The system of their protection. Basic principles of division: living conditions, geographical isolation, species composition of fauna, features of mammalian evolution. Nature conservation as a primary task of modern science and policy. "Red Data Books" of the IUCN, the USSR, and Ukraine.