Syllabus for Mammalogy—Biology 426
Professor: Jacob R. Goheen TAs: Office: 120 Biodiversity Research Centre Michael Sheriff, sheriff[at]zoology.ubc.ca Phone: 604-822-4549 Erin Zylstra, ezylstra[at]arizona.edu E-mail: goheen[at]zoology.ubc.ca Office Hours: By Appointment Website: www.zoology.ubc.ca/~goheen
Lecture: Tuesday and Thursday, 1300-1400, Hennings 301. Lab: Tuesday or Thursday, 1400-1700, Biological Sciences Rm 2219. Field Exercises: October 9-11, Malcolm-Knapp Research Forest. Textbook: Mammalogy (4th Edition). Vaughn, Ryan, and Czaplewski. Field Guide: Mammals of North America. Reid.
Course Content: This course provides an overview of the biology of Class Mammalia, the mammals. In particular, we will focus on the terrestrial mammals of British Columbia, home to the greatest diversity of mammals in Canada. In addition to lecture, this course involves laboratory exercises and substantial fieldwork outside of class.
Lecture Objectives: 1) Gain knowledge and further appreciation for the biology and diversity of mammals worldwide. 2) Use case studies of mammals to comprehend classic and contemporary issues in animal behavior, biogeography, conservation, ecology, and evolution. 3) Hone critical thinking skills through analysis of material presented in class and primary literature. 4) Acquire ability to interpret scientific graphs and datasets.
Laboratory Objectives: 1) Identify all terrestrial and volant mammalian orders and families of Canada. 2) Identify most terrestrial and volant mammalian species of British Columbia using skin and skull specimens. 3) Conduct a field survey for mammals using density and occupancy estimation techniques. 4) Become proficient in preparation of museum specimens.
Grading: 50% lecture: 2 exams (1st exam=75 pts, 2nd exam=125 pts) and 1 cumulative final (100 pts) 50% lab: 7 quizzes (20 pts each; lowest quiz dropped), 1 cumulative lab practical (70 pts), skin preparation (40 pts), lab report (50 pts), participation (20 pts)
Lecture Schedule (subject to change): Topics Reading W1 (Sept. 10): Introduction: What Is A Mammal? T: 36-63*,skim 64-101 W2 (Sept. 15): Diversity, Phylogeny and Systematics (Jeremy Goldbogen) T: 103-104*,skim 106-199 W2 (Sept. 17): Diversity, Phylogeny and Systematics T: skim 200-299 W3 (Sept. 22): Diversity, Phylogeny and Systematics (Nick Pyenson) T: skim 200-299 W3 (Sept. 24): Diversity, Phylogeny and Systematics T: skim 300-334 W4 (Sept. 29): Diversity, Phylogeny and Systematics NA W4 (Oct. 1): Exam 1 Thursday September 25 NA W5 (Oct. 6): Statistics Overview and Abundance Estimation T: NA W5 (Oct. 8): Occupancy Estimation (Erin Zylstra) T: NA W6 (Oct. 13): Physiology: Endothermy, Digestion, Reproduction T: 433-438, paper* W6 (Oct. 15): Behavioral Ecology: Mating Systems and OFT T: 450-469, paper* W7 (Oct. 20): Population Ecology: Population Control and Regulation T: 509-517,520-527,paper* W7 (Oct. 22): Community Ecology: Competition and Null Models T: paper* W8 (Oct. 27): Community Ecology: Predation, Parasitism, Mutualism T: 494-502 W8 (Oct. 29): Exam 2 Tuesday October 28 NA W9 (Nov. 3): Discussion of Exam 2 NA W9 (Nov. 5): Community Ecology: Predation, Parasitism, Mutualism T: paper* W10 (Nov. 10): Ecology of Fear (Michael Sheriff) NA W10 (Nov. 12): Historical Biogeography T: 489-493,paper* W11 (Nov. 17): Ecological Biogeography and Macroecology T: 476-486,paper* W11 (Nov. 19): Ecological Biogeography and Macroecology T: 528-537 W12 (Nov. 24): Conservation Biology (Dave Toews) T: 556-565,paper* W12 (Nov. 26): Conservation Biology T: paper* W13 (Dec. 1): Paleoecology NA W13 (Dec. 3): Review for Final NA
* = material will be tested on exams
Lab Schedule (subject to change): Topic Quiz/Assignment W1 (Sept. 8,10): No Lab NA W2 (Sept. 15,17): Mammalian Skull and Skeleton, Teeth and Dental Formulae NA W3 (Sept. 22,24): Skull and Skeleton, Orders Didelphimorphia and Soricomorpha Quiz over W2 W4 (Sept. 29,Oct. 1): Order Rodentia (Sciuridae) Quiz over W3 W5 (Oct. 6,8): Order Rodentia (Muridae) Quiz over W4 W6 (Oct. 13,15): MR, Occupancy, and Diversity from Malcolm-Knapp NA W7 (Oct. 20,22): Orders Lagomorpha and Rodentia (Aplodontidae, Castoridae, Dipodidae, Erethizontidae, Geomyidae, Heteromyidae) Quiz over W5 W8 (Oct. 27,29): Suborder Fissipedia Quiz over W7 W9 (Nov. 3,5): Orders Artiodactyla and Perissodactyla Quiz over W8 W10 (Nov. 10,12): Order Chiroptera Quiz over W9 W11 (Nov. 17,19): Specimen Preparation NA W12 (Nov. 24,26): Review for Lab Practical NA W13 (Dec. 1,3): Cumulative Lab Practical NA
Important Note: Throughout the semester, you will be asked to print and bring to class materials posted on the website. To the extent that it is possible, please make double-sided copies and please recycle materials at the end of the semester. Thank you.