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The module ‘Animal Biodiversity’ will help you understand how different animal groups are related, the key biological characteristics that define these groups, and key adaptations that allow these groups to successfully exploit particular environments.

The animal kingdom (Metazoa) is a vast grouping with over 1.3 million described species placed in 30-40 phyla that encompasses organisms as diverse as corals, worms and whales. This module will further your understanding of animal systematics and biology, in particular the evolutionary relationships (phylogeny) and biological diversity of animals, and how they are adapted to different environments. Due to the sheer size of the Metazoa we will focus on selected phyla to obtain a broad understanding of the group, but we will investigate several groups in more detail, including arthropods and vertebrates.

Teaching will consist of a combination of lectures and a series of practical classes. Practical classes will include several on phylogenetic inference (where you will reconstruct a phylogeny of some highly peculiar ‘animals’); a problem-based learning exercise where you will research and write an essay on your own ‘mystery’ invertebrate specimen from ÂÒÂ×Ðã’s Grant Museum (GMZ); and a practical class enabling observations of key characteristics and adaptations within vertebrate groups using GMZ museum specimens.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module you will have gained:

• Knowledge and skills in systematic biology.
• A broad understanding of Metazoan relationships and their biologies.
• A deep understanding of vertebrate relationships and key adaptations to their environments.
• A good level of understanding of how to interpret phylogenetic trees, and the language used to described trees.
• The ability to generate a data matrix and apply downstream phylogenetic analysis in the R programming language.
• Research skills through an independent problem-based learning assignment of an unknown specimen.

Indicative lecture topics – based on module content in 2022/23

• Introduction to phylogenetics and invertebrate biology and systematics (12 lectures)
• Arthropods, Insects, Crustaceans Deuterostomes
• Corals, Molluscs, Echinoderms Platyhelminthes
• Introduction to vertebrate biology and systematics (6 lectures)
• Fish: Life under water Amphibians: Transition to land Reptiles: On to dry land
• Birds: Taking to the air Mammals