Fish 475: Marine Mammalogy

Transcription

1 Fish 475: Marine Mammalogy Welcome! Course website:

2 Course staff Glenn R. VanBlaricom Professor of Marine Mammal Studies Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences Amanda Bradford Office: Rm 220A FSH Voice: Fax:

3 Course staff Cris Elfes Teaching Assistant (Monday lab section) & Masters Student Washington Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences Office: Rm 260D FSH Voice: Fax: Alexandre Zerbini

4 Course staff Teresa Mongillo Teaching Assistant (Thursday lab section) & Masters Student Washington Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences Office: Rm 260D FSH Voice: Fax: Donna Hauser

5 General approach Focus on the big picture: This is a very large field, and there is way too much interesting detail to cover in one academic term; Primary emphasis on ecology, with diversions into anatomy, physiology, behavior, and communications at times; Strong emphasis on exposure to and practice of technical writing: WE CAN ALL USE THE PRACTICE! Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

6 Course web site: Contents: Home page: Class meeting times and assigned classrooms; Announcements for the class; Photos and videos of interest. Syllabus: Course description; Grading policy and protocol; Required readings; Contact data for instructional staff; Office hours of instructional staff. Amanda Bradford

7 Course web site: Lecture files: Contents (continued): Pdf files of all lectures will be posted on the website, usually at least one day before each lecture. Schedule: Lecture schedule, with dates for examinations and due dates for major assignments; Laboratory schedule, with dates for field trips and due dates for major assignments. Amanda Bradford Amanda Bradford

8 Course web site: Contents (continued): Examination preparation: 2007 midterm examination, with examination key; 2007 final examination, with examination key. E-post discussion site Amanda Bradford Amanda Bradford

9 Course text Hoelzel, A.R Marine Mammal Biology. An Evolutionary Approach. Blackwell Science Ltd., Oxford, U.K. 432 pages. Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

10 Writing assignments Research proposal: To be discussed in detail in next week s lab sessions. Critical reviews of published work: Two papers to be critically reviewed in writing, one that will be assigned, and one that you will select. Low stakes writing: Four spontaneous assignments during lectures, always on a Friday. One paragraph minimum, one page maximum, full credit for honest effort to address the question posed. Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

11 Examinations Midterm: 5 May 2008 (Monday), 11:30 am 12:30 pm, rm 107 FSH Final: 11 June 2008 (Wednesday), 2:30-4:20 pm, rm 107 FSH 2007 examinations (both midterm and final) and answer key are posted on the course website. Amanda Bradford

12 Laboratories Two primary emphases: Seeing the animals: Alive in captivity; Alive in the field; In skeletal form; In soft-tissue dissection. Methods for studying the animals: Survey methods; Dietary study methods; Analytical study methods. Amanda Bradford

13 Laboratories Scheduling notes for lab sessions: 1. No labs during regular meeting times this week; 2. Field trip to Pt. Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on Sunday 6 April; Amanda Bradford 3. Next week s sessions will meet in rm 107 FSH.

14 Hints for success 1. SHOW UP! Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

15 Hints for success 1. SHOW UP! 2. Take the reading and writing assignments seriously. Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

16 Hints for success 1. SHOW UP at lecture! 2. Take the reading and writing assignments seriously. 3. View the field trips as opportunities, not as obligations. Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

17 Hints for success 1. SHOW UP at lecture! 2. Take the reading and writing assignments seriously. 3. View the field trips as opportunities, not as obligations. 4. Work together to prepare for exams. Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

18 Hints for success 1. SHOW UP at lecture! 2. Take the reading and writing assignments seriously. 3. View the field trips as opportunities, not as obligations. 4. Work together to prepare for exams. Courtesy of Kristin Laidre 5. Talk to the instructional staff and participate in E-Post.

19 Birds, bats, and butterflies the problem of generalizing about marine mammals Peter LaTourrette Text reading reference: Sections 1.1 & 1.2

20 Birds, bats, and butterflies the problem of generalizing about marine mammals

21 Streamlining Text reading reference: Sections 3.1 & 3.2

22 Streamlining

23 Streamlining in marine mammals Optimal shape for minimization of drag: Length of body = 3x to 7x maximum diameter (ideal is thought to be 4.5x) All whale artwork shown in this lecture courtesy of Uko Gorter Illustrations and the American Cetacean Society

24 Other consistent features relating to drag reduction Loss or modification of rear limbs: Loss: Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, & porpoises) Sirenians (manatees and dugongs) Modification: Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, fur seals, and walrus) Sea otters

25 Other consistent features relating to drag reduction Loss or modification of pelage (fur): Loss: Cetaceans Sirenians Reduction: Seals Sea Lions Modification: Sea otters Fur seals Polar bears

26 Modificiation of cranial morphology; Simplification of dentition

27 Forward expansion of maxilla, mandibles, and related bones Modificiation of cranial morphology; Simplification of dentition

28 Modificiation of cranial morphology; Simplification of dentition Forward prolongation of maxilla, mandibles, and related bones Simplification and reduction of dentition

29 Modificiation of cranial morphology; Simplification of dentition Forward prolongation of maxilla, mandibles, and related bones Modification of cranial morphology Simplification and reduction of dentition

30 Modificiation of cranial morphology; Simplification of dentition Forward prolongation of maxilla, mandibles, and related bones Modification of cranial morphology Simplification and reduction of dentition Incorporation of posterior mandible into acoustic reception systems

31 Elaboration of thermoregulatory morphology Kristin Laidre Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

32 Elaboration and modification of sensory capabilities Amanda Bradford Courtesy of Kristin Laidre