Course Syllabus Fall 2014

Course Title: BIO 4403; 5403 COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE REPRODUCTION

Lecture Room and Time: LSE Room 404 TR 12:30-1:45 PMInstructor: Dr. Stan TrauthOffice: LSW 146 (Electron Microscope Facility); MTWTh 3-4 pm.Textbook: No text required

Objectives of Course: This course provides students with an opportunity to enrich their knowledge on vertebrate animal reproductive anatomy and mating systems. A student who has completed this course should have a broad background in and an understanding of the diversity of reproductive cycles and patterns in both dissimilar as well as closely related species. Pre-professional undergraduates, biology majors, and graduate students can apply this knowledge in their careers working for state and federal agencies or future graduate work. “Students with Special Instructional Needs” If you have any special needs related to learning or testing in this course, please let me know as soon as possible so I can address those needs.

Tentative Lecture OutlineWeek(s) Topic1 I. Introduction to Vertebrate Reproductive Biology2 II. Sex and Sexual Differentiation3 III. Modes of Reproduction4 IV. Urogenital Structure and Integration5-6 V. Gametes and Their Production

1st Exam (125 pts.) 7 VI. Reproductive Regulation 8 VII. Fertilization and Cleavage 9 VIII. Embryogenesis 10 IX. Ovuliparity and Modes of Embryo Retention11 X. Embryonic Nutrition and Placentation

2nd Exam (125 pts.)12 XI. Postpartum Care of Young13 XII. Life Histories14 Fall Break (November 22-26) 15 XIII. Mating Systems and Reproductive Ecology

3rd Exam (125 pts.) – (FINAL—Non-comprehensive) – Thursday, December 4 (12:30-2:30 PM)

Requirements: Class attendance is mandatory, and role will be taken. Lecture tests will be announced one weekin advance. Make-up exams MUST be taken no later than one lecture period following the original test date.

Topical Research Project: A research project related specifically to any focused topic covered during the first one third of this course is required for both undergraduate graduate students. The possible total of 50 points for this exercise will be based upon selection of topic, organization and technical preparation of materials, and presentation proficiency.

Grading System: 10 percentage point scale.

Comparative Vertebrate Comparative Vertebrate ReproductionReproduction

Part I. Introduction to Part I. Introduction to Vertebrate Reproductive Vertebrate Reproductive

BiologyBiology

Reproduction is so primitive and fundamental a function of vital organisms that the mechanism by which it is assured is highly complex and not

yet clearly understood.” – Hendry Havelock Ellis (1859-1939)

 

Reproduction is axiomatic for the existence of life. Through independent evolutionary trajectories, living organisms have evolved spectacular behaviors, physiological mechanisms, and structures to accomplish reproduction.

Introduction and OverviewIntroduction and Overview

An Interdisciplinary ScienceAn Interdisciplinary Science Reproduction and Vertebrate DiversityReproduction and Vertebrate Diversity Limitations of the LiteratureLimitations of the Literature Plesiomorphy and ApomorphyPlesiomorphy and Apomorphy Homology, Analogy, and HomoplasyHomology, Analogy, and Homoplasy Reproduction and Natural SelectionReproduction and Natural Selection Comparative PerspectiveComparative Perspective Synopsis of the Living Vertebrate OrdersSynopsis of the Living Vertebrate Orders

An Interdisciplinary ScienceAn Interdisciplinary Science

Vertebrates are represented by ca. 43,000 species.

All vertebrates descended from a common ancestor over 500 million years ago.

All vertebrates share certain similarities in reproductive biology.

Vertebrates reflect the fact that different lineages have evolved different specific solutions to the particular problem of reproduction.

Reproduction and Vertebrate Reproduction and Vertebrate DiversityDiversity

Limitations of the LiteratureLimitations of the Literature Model systems are few in number.Model systems are few in number. We utilize mammals as the models for most We utilize mammals as the models for most

vertebrates.vertebrates. Longstanding economic importance to humans.Longstanding economic importance to humans. Ca. 10 species of eutherian mammals are Ca. 10 species of eutherian mammals are

involved in over 90% of all reproductive studies.involved in over 90% of all reproductive studies. Time to more toward non-conventional subjects.Time to more toward non-conventional subjects. Identify fundamental patterns and mechanisms of Identify fundamental patterns and mechanisms of

reproduction.reproduction.

Concerns regardingeutherian mammal reproduction dominatemainstream science, medicine, and today’sglobal society.

Plesiomorphy and ApomorphyPlesiomorphy and ApomorphyChange in characteristics occurs in lineages over time.The assumption that characteristics of organisms change over time is the most important one in cladistics. It is only when characteristics change that we are able to recognize different lineages or groups. We call the "original" state of the characteristic plesiomorphic and the "changed" state apomorphic.

Evolutionary MorphologyEvolutionary Morphology- study of form and function- study of form and function

HomologyHomology- two or more structures that share common ancestry- two or more structures that share common ancestry AnalogyAnalogy- structures have similar functions- structures have similar functions HomoplasticHomoplastic- structures look similar but distantly related- structures look similar but distantly related

Figure 1.7

Birds: Loss of digits, some bones fusedBats: 5 digits, elongated metacarpals and phalanges

Pterosaurs: elongated fourth digit

Homology, Analogy, and HomoplasyHomology, Analogy, and Homoplasy

Homology, Analogy, and Homoplasy Homology, Analogy, and Homoplasy (continued)(continued)

Serial HomologySerial Homology

Natural SelectionNatural Selection- variations in organisms results in varying - variations in organisms results in varying degrees of success in competition (i.e., survival of the fittest)degrees of success in competition (i.e., survival of the fittest)

Reproduction and Natural SelectionReproduction and Natural Selection

From the Museum of Science and Industry - Chicago

Comparative PerspectiveComparative Perspective

Synopsis of the Living Vertebrate Synopsis of the Living Vertebrate OrdersOrders

A Modern Taxonomy of Chordates*

*Note recent changes in reptilian groups (lower 3 red classes)