1. Course Syllabus Fall 2014
Course Title: BIO 4403; 5403 COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE REPRODUCTION
Lecture Room and Time: LSE Room 404 TR 12:30-1:45 PM
Instructor: Dr. Stan Trauth
Office: LSW 146 (Electron Microscope Facility); MTWTh 3-4 pm.
Textbook: No text required
Objectives of Course: This course provides students with an opportunity to enrich their knowledge on vertebrate animal reproductive anatomy and mating systems. A student who has completed this course should have a broad background in and an understanding of the diversity of reproductive cycles and patterns in both dissimilar as well as closely related species. Pre-professional undergraduates, biology majors, and graduate students can apply this knowledge in their careers working for state and federal agencies or future graduate work.
“Students with Special Instructional Needs”
  If you have any special needs related to learning or testing in this course, please let me know as soon as possible so I can address those needs.

2. Tentative Lecture Outline
Week(s) Topic
1 I. Introduction to Vertebrate Reproductive Biology
2 II. Sex and Sexual Differentiation
3 III. Modes of Reproduction
4 IV. Urogenital Structure and Integration
5-6 V. Gametes and Their Production
1st Exam (125 pts.)
7 VI. Reproductive Regulation
8 VII. Fertilization and Cleavage
9 VIII. Embryogenesis
10 IX. Ovuliparity and Modes of Embryo Retention
11 X. Embryonic Nutrition and Placentation
2nd Exam (125 pts.)
12 XI. Postpartum Care of Young
13 XII. Life Histories
14 Fall Break (November 22-26)
15 XIII. Mating Systems and Reproductive Ecology
3rd Exam (125 pts.) – (FINAL—Non-comprehensive) – Thursday, December 4 (12:30-2:30 PM)
Requirements: Class attendance is mandatory, and role will be taken. Lecture tests will be announced one week
in advance. Make-up exams MUST be taken no later than one lecture period following the original test date.
Topical Research Project: A research project related specifically to any focused topic covered during the first
one third of this course is required for both undergraduate graduate students. The possible total of 50 points for this exercise will be based upon selection of topic, organization and technical preparation of
materials, and presentation proficiency.
Grading System: 10 percentage point scale.

3. Comparative Vertebrate Reproduction
Part I. Introduction to Vertebrate Reproductive Biology

4. Reproduction is axiomatic for the existence of life.
Reproduction is so primitive and fundamental
a function of vital organisms that the mechanism
by which it is assured is highly complex and not
yet clearly understood.”
– Hendry Havelock Ellis ( )
Reproduction is axiomatic for the existence of life.
Through independent evolutionary trajectories,
living organisms have evolved spectacular behaviors, physiological mechanisms, and
structures to accomplish reproduction.

5. Introduction and Overview
An Interdisciplinary Science
Reproduction and Vertebrate Diversity
Limitations of the Literature
Plesiomorphy and Apomorphy
Homology, Analogy, and Homoplasy
Reproduction and Natural Selection
Comparative Perspective
Synopsis of the Living Vertebrate Orders

6. An Interdisciplinary Science

7. Reproduction and Vertebrate Diversity
Vertebrates are represented by ca. 43,000 species.
All vertebrates descended from a common ancestor over 500 million years ago.
All vertebrates share certain similarities in reproductive biology.
Vertebrates reflect the fact that different lineages have evolved different specific solutions to the particular problem of reproduction.

8. Limitations of the Literature
Model systems are few in number.
We utilize mammals as the models for most vertebrates.
Longstanding economic importance to humans.
Ca. 10 species of eutherian mammals are involved in over 90% of all reproductive studies.
Time to more toward non-conventional subjects.
Identify fundamental patterns and mechanisms of reproduction.

9. Concerns regarding
eutherian mammal
reproduction dominate
mainstream science, medicine, and today’s
global society.

10. Plesiomorphy and Apomorphy
Change in characteristics occurs in lineages over time. The assumption that characteristics of organisms change over time
is the most important one in cladistics. It is only when characteristics change that we are able to recognize different lineages or groups. We call the "original" state of the characteristic plesiomorphic and the "changed" state apomorphic.

12. Evolutionary Morphology- study of form and function
Homology- two or more structures that share common ancestry
Analogy- structures have similar functions
Homoplastic- structures look similar but distantly related
Birds: Loss of digits, some bones fused
Bats: 5 digits, elongated metacarpals and phalanges
Figure 1.7
Pterosaurs: elongated fourth digit

13. Homology, Analogy, and Homoplasy

14. Homology, Analogy, and Homoplasy (continued)

15. Serial Homology

16. Reproduction and Natural Selection
Natural Selection- variations in organisms results in varying degrees of success in competition (i.e., survival of the fittest)

17. From the Museum of Science and Industry - Chicago

18. Comparative Perspective

19. Synopsis of the Living Vertebrate Orders

20. A Modern Taxonomy of Chordates*
*Note recent changes in reptilian groups
(lower 3 red classes)