|
Welcome to the
Comparative Anatomy and Evolution of the Vertebrates
Web Site
In CompVerts 420, the evolution and phylogeny of vertebrates are examined through a comparative study of vertebrate anatomy. The semester begins with a foundation in vertebrate systematics and phylogeny and builds through focused comparative examinations of major vertebrate systems.
This web site is designed to provide you with some learning and integrating tools for the course. The syllabus is here, of course, but you already have a copy on paper.
The Phylogeny section of the web site provides a series of expanding and collapsing cladograms overlaid with the traditional grade-level groupings. By expanding and contractnig the cladograms, you should be able to develop a good understanding of relationships and grade-level patterns. Collapsed clades tend to get the minor details out of the way so that you can see the forest for the trees. You can expand a subsection of a clade to get a feeling for how the forest is really put together.
The Virtual Skull section of the web site is designed to make it a little easier for you to learn the parts of the vertebrate skull. Understanding how a 3-dimensional puzzle goes together isn't easy -- but you have to master the basic pattern before you can understand how the skull has changed in various vertebrate groups. The virtual skull is a basic labyrinthodont pattern based on the Carboniferous genus Palaeoherpeton. A variety of skull views and aspects are presented without labels. Click on the individual bones to get a label and feature accent. The aspect bar on the right will rotate the skull from one aspect to another so that you can get a 3-dimensional feel for each bone in the skull. My advice? Quiz yourself until you dream about it at night.
The Lecture Figures section of the web site will let you download all of the figures used in lecture. They are lumped into groups of 10 figures or so to a PDF file. If you have trouble with the PDF files, upgrade your copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader free of charge at www.adobe.com.
Let me know what works and what's useless. If you have any ideas for ways to make this site more productive for you, please let me know. Good luck and have some fun while you're at it.
|
