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Questions and Answers
What characteristic is NOT true for animals?
Which classification group contains only invertebrates?
What percentage of animal species are classified as invertebrates?
Why is understanding animal diversity important in biological studies?
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Which of the following statements about invertebrates is incorrect?
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What percentage of the final mark is derived from Continuous Assessment Mark (CAM)?
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Which animal phyla is studied first according to the timetable?
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What is required for attendance in practical sessions?
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To qualify for the final exam, what is the minimum required mark for CAM?
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Which of the following is NOT listed as a learner outcome of this module?
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What type of assessment accounts for 60% of the CAM?
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On which date is a public holiday noted in the schedule?
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How much is the combined average of weekly practical tasks worth?
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Which type of animals is the focus of the invertebrate diversity module?
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Who is responsible for the practical sessions in this module?
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Study Notes
Course Details
- The course is offered in two terms, Term 3 and Term 4.
- The lecturers for Term 3 are Prof V. Couldridge and Miss W. Theron (Teaching Assistant - Practicals).
- The lecturers for Term 4 are Prof B. Maritz and Miss W. Theron (Teaching Assistant - Practicals).
- The practical sessions are held in the LSB lab, Life Sciences Building, Core 2, 4th floor.
- The course is assessed through continuous assessment (60%) and an exam (40%).
- The minimum continuous assessment mark to qualify for the exam is 40%.
Timetable
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Lectures are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
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Practical sessions are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
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The timetable is as follows:
- Monday: 9:25 - 10:10 (GH2), 10:20 - 11:05 (LFS Aud.)
- Tuesday: 9:25 - 10:10 (D3), 10:20 - 11:05 (LSB Lab)
- Wednesday: 9:25 - 10:10 (LSB Lab), 10:20 - 11:05 (LSB Lab), 14:00 - 16:35 (LSB Lab)
- Thursday: 10:20 - 11:05 (LSB Lab), 14:00 - 16:35 (LSB Lab)
- Friday: 10:20 - 11:05 (LSB Lab), 14:00 - 16:35 (LSB Lab)
Course Policy
- Standard plagiarism and late assignment rules apply
- Valid reasons and written proof are required for any absences from practicals or tests
Practical Information
- Practical sessions are compulsory and complement the theory.
- Students require a nature study book and a lab coat for the sessions.
Assessment Breakdown
- The final mark comprises 60% continuous assessment (CAM) and 40% exam mark.
- The CAM consists of 40% theory and 60% practical mark.
Term 3 Assessment
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Theory:
- Class test: 28 marks
- Mini quizzes and worksheets average: 12 marks
- Total: 40 marks
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Practical:
- Combined weekly practical tasks average: 60 marks
- Total: 60 marks
- Overall Total: 100 marks
Learner Outcomes
- Explain the evolutionary origins and relationship of animal taxa.
- Describe basic animal structure and function.
- List and compare key characteristics of various animal taxa.
- Classify and identify invertebrate and vertebrate animals.
- Use library and internet resources for finding information.
- Interpret and summarize information.
- Observe and dissect specimens to recognize, locate, and compare structures.
- Curate and display specimens.
Resources
- Recommended textbooks:
- Brusca, R.C., Moore, W., and Shuster, S.M. 2016. Invertebrates. 3rd edition. Oxford University Press: Oxford.
- Giribet, G., and Edgecombe, G.D. 2020. The invertebrate tree of life. Princeton University Press: Princeton.
- Hickman, C.P., Keen, S.L., Larson, A., and Eisenhour, D.J. 2021. Animal diversity. 9th edition. McGraw-Hill: Boston.
- Pechenik, J.A. 2014. Biology of the invertebrates. 7th edition. McGraw-Hill: Boston.
Invertebrates
- “The little things that run the world” - E.O. Wilson
- More than 95% of animal species are invertebrates.
- Most invertebrates are insects.
What is an animal?
- A eukaryotic and multicellular organism that is a consumer (heterotrophic).
- Animals lack cell walls.
- They are motile in some stage of their life cycle.
- They usually undergo embryonic development with a blastula stage.
- Animals are typically capable of sexual reproduction.
What is an Invertebrate?
- An animal without a vertebral column.
- All animal phyla except Chordata consist solely of invertebrates.
Invertebrate Diversity
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This course focuses on the classification and systems of the following animal groups:
- Porifera
- Cnidaria
- Platyhelminthes
- Nematoda
- Annelida
- Mollusca
- Arthropoda
- Echinodermata
Animal Diversity
- Animals first appeared 540 MYA.
- Evolution has led to the diversity of animal forms seen today.
- A phylogenetic tree (tree of life) illustrates these relationships.
Why Study Animal Diversity?
- Reconstruct the phylogeny of animal life.
- Understand when major evolutionary transitions occurred.
- Comprehend the processes that generate and maintain species diversity.
- Animal diversity forms the basis for all other scientific study of animals.
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