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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

• Lectures are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

• Practical sessions are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

• 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

• Theory:
  • Class test: 28 marks
  • Mini quizzes and worksheets average: 12 marks
  • Total: 40 marks
• 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

• 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.