MAR 444 Marine Vertebrate Zoology

A survey of marine fishes, reptiles, and mammals, with an in-depth, comprehensive treatment of their systematics, zoogeography, and ecology. Lectures will encompass subject matter on a non-regional basis. Field and laboratory work will stress the vertebrate fauna of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Most of the course will be devoted to fishes. Students successfully completing this course will: 1) have a basic understanding of the biology, ecology, physiology, and systematics of the various marine vertebrate taxa; 2) gain experience in field and laboratory identification of members of the various marine vertebrate taxa; and 3) gain experience in collecting various marine and island vertebrate taxa. Cross-listed as: BIO 444. Prerequisite(s): BIO 211, BIO 212. Credit, four hours.