3.0 COURSE DESCRIPTIONVertebrate origins and evolution: general characteristics of vertebrates: primitive chordate types with particular emphasis on Branchiostoma; invertebrate origins of the chordates; the geological time scale and succession of vertebrate life. The origins, fossil record, characteristic features adaptive radiation and array of vertebrates’ race illustrated by reference to the following groups: ostracoderms, placoderms, cyclostomes, cartilaginous and bony fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The functional morphology, phylogeny, natural history and aspects of physiology and development of the above-mentioned groups should be emphasized.COURSE OBJECTIVES1. To distinguish Protochordates and chordates from all other animal phyla.2. To describe the origins and evolution of vertebrates: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.3. To explain the distinguishing characteristics of each vertebrate class.4. To discuss the taxonomic classification of vertebrate classes.5. To outline the zoogeographical distribution of mammals.
