I. Mammal Evolution
A. Evolutionary changes found in the transition
from reptiles to mammals, including:
1. middle ear bones & bones in jaw articulation
2. number of thoracic vertebrae and ribs
3. carpal and tarsal bones / phalangeal formula
4. the pectoral and pelvic girdles effect on limb
positioning
5. heterodonty: teeth having different shapes for
grasping, shearing, and grinding
6. Why are these traits adaptive?
B. Diagnostic features of mammals
1. true hair
2. milk from mammary glands
3. respiratory diaphragm
4. Why are these traits adaptive?
II. Monotremes and Marsupials
A. Monotreme vs marsupial vs placental reproductive
styles.
B. What is the adaptive value of the evolution of these reproductive styles?
C. Monotreme and marsupial evolution, relating
to:
1. geographic origins and migrations
2. competition with eutherians: Why are there so
many more eutherians (placental mammals)?
3. In the Australian realm, are the marsupials successful
or just hanging on?
III. Insectivora,
A. Soricidae
B. Talpidae
C. Body shape effects on:
1. surface area to volume
ratio 2. heat loss
3. behavior and physiology
IV. Chiroptera
A. Megachiroptera
B. Microchiroptera
C. Contrast these 2 suborders based on
1. anatomy
2. behavior 3. bioenergetics
4. global distribution
D. Be able to fully discuss topics such as:
1. echolocation
http://www.cccoe.k12.ca.us/bats/echo.html
2. bat foraging
http://www.life.uiuc.edu/paige/bats.html
http://www.thewildones.org/Animals/fruitBat.html
3. mammalian senses: (a) vision,
(b) hearing, (c) olfaction
V. Rodentia and Lagomorpha
A. Rodentia
B. Lagomorpha
C. Be able to discuss the basic rodent and lagomorph tooth adaptation for gnawing
D. Contrast rodent and lagomorph tooth designs
E. Be able to fully discuss:
1. hibernation & adaptation for the cold
2. foods and feeding
VI. Carnivora
A. Feliformia
1. Felidae 2. Hyaenidae
3. Herpestidae 4.Viverridae
B. Caniformia
1. Canidae 2. Mustelidae
3. Procyonidae 4.Ursidae
C. Pinnipedia
1. Odobenidae 2. Otariidae
3. Phocidae 4. How can you distinguish between
seal lions and seals?
VII. Cetacea
A. Mysticeti
B. Odontoceti
C. Be able to distinguish the 2 suborders of cetaceans
using:
1. teeth 2. nares
3. echolocation
D. Be able to explain why Mysticeti and Odontoceti differ in their teeth and echolocation?
E. How does echolocation in aquatic mammals work?
http://www.seaworld.com.au/education/pdf/Cetacean_Booklet_2.pdf
VIII. Proboscidea, Hydracoidea, and Sirenia
A. Proboscidea
Be able to distinguish the 2 species of elephants
using:
1. shape of back
2. shape of trunk 3. shape
of pinnae
B. Hydracoidea
C. Sirenia
IX. Perissodactyla and Artiodactyla
A. Perissodactyla: odd-toed ungulates - non-rumen
stomach
1. Equidae 2. Rhinocerotidae
3. Tapiridae
B. Artiodactyla: even-toed ungulates - non-rumen
stomach
1. Suidae
2. Hippopotamidae 3. Camelidae
4. Giraffidae 5. Cervidae
6. Antilocapridae 7. Bovidae
C. Be able to describe the weight foot differences between perissodactyla and artiodactyla.
D. Be able to describe the digestive system differences between perissodactyla and artiodactyla.
E. Be able to describe why artiodactylans are more widely distributed and numerous than perissodactylans.
F. Be able to describe the various types of horns and antlers found in mammals. (click for more details)
G. Be able to describe the various adaptations
for dry environments found in mammals.