Paleontology: Early Vertebrate Evolution

Description

Paleontology: Early Vertebrate Evolution is a four-lesson course that provides a comprehensive overview of vertebrate evolution. Within a phylogenetic and evolutionary framework, students will investigate the diversity of Palaeozoic lineages. This course investigates the origins of major vertebrate novelties such as fins, jaws, and tetrapod limbs. Students also visit important Canadian fossil sites such as the Burgess Shale (British Columbia), Miguasha (Quebec), and Man On The Hill (Alberta) (Northwest Territories). View a course preview here: https://uofa.ualberta.ca/courses/paleontology-vertebrate-evolution.

Syllabus :

1. The Phanerozoic Begins

• Vertebrate Origins
• Vertebrate Environments
• Diversity of Early Vertebrate Life

 

2. Learning to Swim

• Our Fish-like Ancestors
• Early Fish Types & Anatomy

 

3. Learning to Bite

• Evolution of Jaws
• Placoderms

 

4. Learning to Walk

• Introduction to Osteichthyes
• The Lobe-Finned Fishes
• Primitive Tetrapods

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