Vertebrate Comparative Anatomy and Physiology

Overview of the systematic classification of vertebrates (living and extinct); comparative anatomy and physiological functions of the major organ systems in vertebrates: skeletal, muscular, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, nervous, and urogenital. Each system will be studied on a comparative basis and we will explore their evolutionary changes across the major groups of vertebrates. We will also explore examples of key and functionally important adaptations to various life history strategies and ecological settings across the vertebrate tree of life.