Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and Phylogeny

 

Joslyn Mills, Melissa LaBonty, Nafis Hasan, and Angela Seliga

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2019, Volume 40

Abstract

Comparative vertebrate anatomy is typically taught over a full semester, but this lab condenses this learning experience into a 3 to 6-hour lab that exposes students to numerous vertebrates and touches on evolution. This lab is designed to explore various body systems that differentiate the six common groups of vertebrates. Students will hypothesize the evolution of these groups from their common ancestor by drawing a phylogenetic tree. This lab has flexibility so that it can be condensed to fit into a shorter time frame, expanded upon to lengthen the lab, or to divide each module as a free-standing activity.

Keywords:  dissection, vertebrate specimens, comparative, bone structure, internal anatomy

The Ohio State University (2018)