Mammalogy – Biology, Evolution And Diversity Of Mammals [Module]

Timetable

Duration:     12 weeks

Module aim (aims)

The objective of this course is to give/teach the students:

1. Basic knowledge about origin & evolution, morphology, biology, diversity, ecology and behaviour of mammals.
2. Ability to distinguish the main taxonomic groups of extant
3. Knowledge on the mammalian adaptations (morphological, physiological, behavioural) for living in different environments and habitats.
4. Understanding of the functions of mammals in different ecosystems.
5. Significance of current mammal studies in the progress of biological sciences.

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

1. Basic knowledge about evolution (history and relationship between the main taxonomic groups, genetic base of evolution, role of mutations, natural selection, adaptation, divergence, convergence, extinction).
2. Basic knowledge on vertebrate zoology (extant classes, their morphology, biology and ecology).
3. Ability to self-reliant finding of literature in libraries and electronic sources.
4. Sufficient skills/understanding of English language in listening, reading and writing.

Syllabus

Lectures

Week 1: Introduction. Mammalian characteristics. Basic information on morphology, biology and reproduction of mammals.

Week 2: Origin, evolution and classification of mammals.

Week 3: Mammal Diversity 1: survey of Monotremes & Metatherians.

Week 4: Mammal Diversity 2: survey of orders belonging to Afrotheria and Xenarthra.

Week 5: Mammal Diversity 3: survey of orders belonging to Euarchontoglires.

Week 6: Mid-term exam 1. Mammal Diversity 4a: survey of orders belonging to Laurasiatheria.

Week 7: Mammal Diversity 4b: survey of orders belonging to Laurasiatheria.

Week 8: Adaptations of mammals to semi-aquatic, aquatic, semi-fossorial, and fossorial styles of life.

Week 9: Adaptations of mammals to scansorial, arboreal and volant styles of life.

Week 10: Adaptations of mammals to cold conditions and high temperatures & scarcity of water.

Week 11: Synanthropisation, synurbization and domestication (mammals of farmlands and cities). Endangered mammals and mammal conservation.

Week 12: Mid-term exam 2. Modern methods of scientific investigations on mammals. Advances in behavioural and ecological studies of mammals.

Week 13:         

Week 14:         

Week 15:         

  

Seminars

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 Week 8: Diversity in species composition and population sizes in different habitats – the example of mammals from Białowieża Forest. or Diversity and threats of mammals in a country/region of students’ origin 1.

Week 9: Mating and social systems of mammals. or Diversity and threats of mammals in a country/region of students’ origin 2.

Week 10: The role of predators in shaping the population cycles of small mammals. or Diversity and threats of mammals in a country/region of students’ origin 3.

Week 11: Differences in population structure and hunting strategies of wolves and lynxes.

Week 12: Intra- and interspecific competition among mammals.     

Week 13:          

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Week 15:

  

 Labs

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 Week 6: Anatomy of mammals (skulls, skeletons, teeth variation). Methods of body measuring, usage of key-books and determination of species based on skull and teeth features. Adaptations to different diets and foraging modes.

Week 7: Morpho-ecological types of mammals. Species identification based on external morphology (work with stuffed specimens from the Scientific Collection), assigning species to proper environments, life-styles, trophic level, and distribution in Poland.

Week 8: Tracks and signs of mammals. Species identification based on tracks and signs, assigning species to proper environments, life-styles and distribution in Poland.

Week 9: Mid-term test 1. Ecology of mammal communities and trophic chains. Assigning species to communities, trophic levels, guilds, and according to the Hutchinson’s rule. Competition and predation among mammals.

Week 10: Trip to the New Zoo (Malta). Observation of mammals adapted to different habitats and life-styles, representing different morpho-ecological types. The importance of zoos in the conservation of mammals and scientific investigations. Mid-term test 2.

Week 11:         

Week 12:         

Week 13:         

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Week 15:

Reading list

1. Feldhamer G.A., Drickamer L.C., Vessey S.H. & Merritt J.F. 2014 (or older editions). Mammalogy: adaptation, diversity, and ecology. WBC/McGraw-Hill, Boston.
2. Vaughan T.A., Ryan J.M. & Czaplewski N.J. 2014 (or older editions). Mammalogy. Jones and Bartlett Learning, Burlington, MA, USA.
3. McDonald D. W. (ed.) 2006. The encyclopedia of mammals. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
4. Pucek Z. (ed.) 1981. Keys to vertebrates of Poland. Mammals. PWN - Polish Scientific Publishers, Warszawa.
5. Jędrzejewska B. & Wójcie J. M. (eds) 2010 or 2004. Essays on mammals of Białowieża Forest. Mammal Research Institute PAS, Białowieża.
6. Merritt J. F. The Biology of Small Mammals. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland.
7. Jędrzejewski W., Sidorovich W. 2010. The art of tracking animals. Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowieża.
8. Animal Diversity Web. (http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/).
9. The Life of Mammals. 2002. BBC nature documentary series (written and presented by David Attenborough).