Mammalogy / Advanced Mammalogy BIO 436 BIO 536

Instructor: Daniel G. Scognamillo Office hours: Mon: 8-10, 12-2 Phone: 468-5993 Tue: 8-10 Email: [email protected] Wed: 8-10 Office: Forestry 203E Thu: 8-10. Or by appointment. Please call or email me to schedule an appointment.

Classroom and class time Lectures: Forestry 205 Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:30 - 1:45 Labs: Biology S218 Wednesdays 6:00 - 8:30

Course description Four semester hours, three hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Classification, evolution, natural history, and distribution of mammals. Emphasis on natural history and identification of regional species in lab. Field trips required. Requires outside readings and/or research projects. Travel fee required. Lab fee required. Requires concurrent enrollment in lab. Prerequisite: BIO 133 or permission of the instructor.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) The course is designed to address the following Program Learning Outcomes, as given in the BS degree Program Matrix:

PLO1. The student will demonstrate a good knowledge base in biological concepts (Knowledge). PLO4. The student will be able to design, carry out, and analyze experiments to answer biological questions using the scientific method (Methods). PLO6. The student will demonstrate preparation for future career and educational goals (Career Preparation).

B.S. Biology Program Learning Outcomes Proficiency Levels

Course PLO 1 PLO2 PLO3 PLO4 PLO5 PLO6 Career Knowledge Oral Skills Written Skills Methods Teamwork Preparation

BIO 436 A A A

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:

- Have a general knowledge of the mammalian diversity, evolution, and natural history (PLO1); - Have a general knowledge and basic skill on the most common techniques and methods used for the study of mammals (PLO4); - Have a clear understanding of role played by mammalogist as scientists and in the conservation and management of mammals (PLO6); Proposed Course Calendar (the other of the topics could change as the semester progresses)

Lecture number Topic

The early evolution of mammals

1 Overview of Mammalogy Chapter 1: The study of mammals Chapter 2: History of mammalogy

2 Chapter 3: Methods for studying mammals.

3 Chapter 4: Evolution and dental characteristics.

4 Chapter 5: Biogeography and Mammalian radiation.

5

6 Prototheria. Therian mammals: placentals and marsupials.

7 Evolution of live birth (viviparity) in mammals.

8 Adaptive zones; an overview of eutherian phylogeny

An introduction to the orders of living mammals

9 Monotremata (echidna, platypus); Didelphimorphia (American opossum); Paucituberculata (shrew opossum); Microbiotheria (Dromiciops); Notoryctemorphia (marsupial mole) Dasyuromorphia (Australian carnivorous marsupial); Peramelemorphia (badicoots, bilbies); Diprotodontia (kangaroo, wallabies, koalas, wombats, noolbenders, feather gliders, etc.)

10 Pholidota (pangolins); Carnivora (dogs, cats, bears, etc.)

11 Perissodactyla (horses, rhinos, tapirs); Cetartiodactyla (whales, cows, deer, etc.)

12 Insectivora (shrews, moles, etc.); Chiroptera (bats)

13 Primates (monkeys, apes, humans); Scandentia (tree shrews); Dermoptera (colugos)

14 Rodentia (mice, gophers), Lagomorpha (hares, rabbits) Xenarthra (armadillos, sloths, anteaters); Proboscidea (elephants); Sirenia (manatees, dugongs); Hyracoidea (hyraxes) 15 Tubulidentata (aardvarks); Afrosoricida (tenrecs, golden moles); Macroscelidea (elephant shrews)

16 Tubulidentata (aardvarks); Afrosoricida (tenrecs, golden moles); Macroscelidea (elephant shrews)

An overview of key mammalian adaptations

17 Evolution of hair: structure and function

18 Hair replacement; molt patterns

19 Evolution and structure of mammary glands

20 Mammalian reproduction: anatomy and endocrinology

21 Mammalian reproduction: uterine cycles; placental types; breeding patterns

22 Mammalian locomotion: posture types; adaptations for speed

23 Mammalian locomotion: adaptations for speed, specialized modes of locomotion

24 Mammalian thermoregulation: adaptations to desert and cold environments

25 Adaptations to aquatic environments: pinnipeds and cetaceans

26 Acoustic orientation (echolocation): bats and cetaceans

27 Mammalian social systems (part I)

28 Mammalian social systems (part II)

29 catch-up lecture

30 FINAL EXAMINATION

Required texts and readings Feldhamer, G.A., L.C. Drickamer, S.H. Vessey, J.F. Merritt, and C. Krajewski. 2007. Mammalogy: Adaptation, Diversity, and Ecology, 3rd Edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press.

Suggested reading material Knox Jones, J. and R. W. Manning. 1992. Illustrated key to skulls of genera of North American land mammals. Texas Tech University Press. Lubbock, Texas.

Selected reading material Selected readings from the scientific literature related to each topic covered in class will be provided by the instructor in pdf format. At the end of each lecture I will make reading assignments for the next lecture. These readings should not be considered optional, as you will be expected to discuss their contents in class and tests. Reading the assigned journal articles will prepare you to better understand the contents of the lectures. Grading Policy

Lab Exam 1 60 Lab Exam 2 60 Partial Exam 1 100 Partial Exam 2 100 Partial Exam 3 100 Partial Exam 4 100 Final exam 150 ______Total 570

Your final course grade is based on a total of the above points using the following scale:

A: $90% B: 89.99% - 80% C: 79.99% - 70% D: 69.99% - 60% F: <60%

Attendance Policy Perfect attendance to lectures and labs is a requirement for this course. Justified absences will be accepted with the proper documentation.

Responsible Use of Technology It is expected that all students will only use cell phones, PDAs, laptop computers, MP3 players and other technology outside of class time or when appropriate in class. Answering a cell phone, texting, listening to music or using a laptop computer for matters unrelated to the course may be grounds for dismissal from class or other penalties.

Classroom Behavior Disruptive, distracting, or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. Students who disrupt the learning environment may be asked to leave class and may be subject to judicial, academic, or other penalties. The instructor shall have full discretion over what behavior is appropriate/inappropriate in the classroom.

Academic Integrity (A-9.1) Academic integrity is a responsibility of all university faculty and students. Faculty members promote academic integrity in multiple ways including instruction on the components of academic honesty, as well as abiding by university policy on penalties for cheating and plagiarism.

Definition of Academic Dishonesty Academic dishonesty includes both cheating and plagiarism. Cheating includes but is not limited to (1) using or attempting to use unauthorized materials to aid in achieving a better grade on a component of a class; (2) the falsification or invention of any information, including citations, on an assigned exercise; and/or (3) helping or attempting to help another in an act of cheating or plagiarism. Plagiarism is presenting the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own. Examples of plagiarism are (1) submitting an assignment as if it were one's own work when, in fact, it is at least partly the work of another; (2) submitting a work that has been purchased or otherwise obtained from an Internet source or another source; and (3) incorporating the words or ideas of an author into one's paper without giving the author due credit.

Please read the complete policy at http://www.sfasu.edu/policies/academic_integrity.asp Withheld Grades Semester Grades Policy (A-54) Ordinarily, at the discretion of the instructor of record and with the approval of the academic chair/director, a grade of WH will be assigned only if the student cannot complete the course work because of unavoidable circumstances. Students must complete the work within one calendar year from the end of the semester in which they receive a WH, or the grade automatically becomes an F. If students register for the same course in future terms the WH will automatically become an F and will be counted as a repeated course for the purpose of computing the grade point average.

Students with Disabilities To obtain disability related accommodations, alternate formats and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), Human Services Building, and Room 325, 468-3004 / 468-1004 (TDD) as early as possible in the semester. Once verified, ODS will notify the course instructor and outline the accommodation and/or auxiliary aids to be provided. Failure to request services in a timely manner may delay your accommodations. For additional information, go to http://www.sfasu.edu/disabilityservices/