Earth Sciences

AIMS

The main aim is to use vertebrates to illustrate the use of analytical methods to study evolutionary patterns and processes.

The course provides an introduction to the major vertebrate groups [jawless vertebrates, placoderms, cartilaginous fish, ray-finned fish, lobe-finned fish, early tetrapods, modern amphibians, lizards, snakes, turtles, crocodiles, dinosaurs, birds and mammals]. The core of the course concerns the anatomy and evolutionary relationships of these groups, which are examined through lectures, practical classes and museum tours.

The methods introduced by these lectures include phylogenetic analysis, cladistic biogeography, taxic and phylogenetic diversity estimation, and the use of Finite Element Analysis in biomechanics.

We examine evolutionary phenomena such as exaptation and adaptation, heterochrony, extinction, adaptive radiation, and the influence of physical factors on evolutionary history. To broaden the scope of the course, some plant, invertebrate and microfossil groups are also discussed, particularly in relation to major events such as the invasion of the land and the end-Cretaceous mass extinction.

OUTCOMES

Students should:

• show an ability to identify members of particular vertebrate groups;
• be able to analyse the functional significance of particular anatomical features;
• be able to apply phylogenetic and other analytical techniques;
• have developed a more detailed understanding of key evolutionary events such as the end-Cretaceous extinction.

CONTENT

The focus is on vertebrates, but basic principles of palaeontology will be illustrated using other groups (plants, invertebrates, micro-fossils etc.).

Lectures will include:

• basic vertebrate anatomy;
• Introduction to phylogenetic analysis;
• Classification;
• The origin and evolution of vertebrates;
• Mass extinctions;
• Exaptation and origin of evolutionary novelty;
• Introduction to diversity and biogeographic analysis.
• Functional morphology and biomechanics.