Paleontology: Ancient Marine Reptiles

Description

Paleontology: Ancient Marine Reptiles is a four-lesson course that provides an in-depth look at the evolutionary changes that occur when air-breathing terrestrial animals return to water. The diversity, adaptations, convergence, and phylogenetic relationships of extinct marine reptiles are studied in this course. Students will investigate three major groups of marine reptiles: ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and mosasaurs.

Syllabus :

1. Introduction to Marine Reptiles

• Adaptations of Aquatic Tetrapods
• The Aquatic Problem
• Classifying Aquatic Amniotes

 

2. Ichthyopterygians

• Ichthyopterygian Diversity
• Ichthyopterygian Paleobiology
• Stratigraphic Record of Ichthyopterygians

 

3. Sauropterygians

• Sauropterygian Diversity
• Sauropterygian Paleobiology
• Stratigraphic Record of Sauropterygians

 

4. Mosasauroids

• Mosasauroid Diversity
• Mosasauroid Paleobiology
• Stratigraphic Record of Mosasauroids

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