Vertebrate Zoology Lab III- Craniata, Vertebrata & Chondrichthyes
Information for this lab is found primarily in Labs 3 & 4 of Gergus and Schuett.
From Lab 3 of Gergus and Schuett:
Be able to identify all taxa listed and their major characteristics.
Know synapomorphies which unite the taxa into monophyletic taxa (Figure 3.1)
Know the synapomorphies for the Chordata and Craniata and be able to identify these structures on any appropriate specimens in this and all subsequent labs.
For the Myxinoidea, be able to identify the following structures: External gill openings, Oral tentacles, single naris, slime glands.
Answer questions: Q1, Q2
Skip: Figure 3.3B
For the Petromyzontoidea (both Ammocoetes and adult), be able to identify the following structures: Anus, Oral hood, brain, gill pouch, myomeres, myosepta, dorsal fin, caudal fin, head, buccal funnel, "teeth", lateral line, eye, nostril, external gill slits, branchial basket, anal fin, dorsal fins(s), caudal fins, branchial (pharyngeal) pores.
Answer questions Q5, Q6, Q9, Q15, Q16, Q17, Q19, Q27, Q28, Q29,
Skip: Figure 3.5; Skip Circulatory System, Digestive system, Urogenetial System, Nervous system (pp 61-63).
Examine the fossils (some real, others are replicas) to get a feel for the diversity of these organisms.
From Lab 4 of Gergus and Schuett:
Be able to identify major characteristics of the Chondrichthyan taxa: Elasmobranchii, Holocephali, Rajiformes.
Know synapomorphies which unite the taxa into monophyletic taxa (Figure 4.2)
Know the synapomorphies for the Chordata ,Craniata and Gnathostomata. Be able to identify these structures on any appropriate specimens.
By looking at the external morphology of these fishes, can you make an educated guess where these fish live (open water, bottom, in crevices???) or on what they feed (carnivores, herbivores)? How about their ability to swim (fast swimmer, slow swimmers)?
In the appropriate Chondrichthyan specimens be able to identify the following structures: Claspers, pelvic fins, pectoral fins, dorsal fin, anal fin, caudal fin, dorsal spine, placoid scales, Ampullae of Lorenzini, lateral line, mouth, nares, calcified teeth, gill slits, gill arches, spiracles, palatoquadrate, Meckel's cartilage, hyoid arch, branchial arches, foramen magnum, vertebral column, myomeres, myosepta, cephalic organ.
Answer questions: Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q6, Q8, Q11, Q12, Q13, Q14, Q15, Q16, Q21, Q22, Q23, Q26,
Skip: Pp 74 to top of 76; Skip Figure 4.5; skip pp. 82-85; Skip Figure 4.12; Skip circulatory & nervous systems (pp. 90- 94).
