fish 475: marine mammalogy - university of washingtonfaculty.washington.edu/glennvb/fish475/lecture...

Fish 475: Marine Mammalogy

Course website:http://faculty.washington.edu/glennvb/fish475

Welcome!

Course staff

Glenn R. VanBlaricomProfessor of Marine Mammal

Studies

Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences

Office: Rm 220A FSHVoice: 206-543-6475Fax: 206-616-9012

glennvb@u.washington.eduhttp://fish.washington.edu/glennvb

Amanda Bradford

Course staff

Cris Elfes Teaching Assistant

(Monday lab section)& Masters Student

Washington Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit

UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences

Office: Rm 260D FSHVoice: 206-221-5453Fax: 206-616-9012

celfes@u.washington.edu

Alexandre Zerbini

Course staff

Teresa Mongillo Teaching Assistant

(Thursday lab section)& Masters Student

Washington Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit

UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences

Office: Rm 260D FSHVoice: 206-221-5453Fax: 206-616-9012

tmo@u.washington.eduDonna Hauser

General approach

• Focus on the big picture: This is a very large field, and there is way too much interesting detail to cover in one academic term;

• Primary emphasis on ecology, with diversions into anatomy, physiology, behavior, and communications at times;

• Strong emphasis on exposure to and practice of technical writing: WE CAN ALL USE THE PRACTICE!

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

Course web site: http://faculty.washington.edu/glennvb/fish 475

Contents:

Home page:• Class meeting times and assigned

classrooms;• Announcements for the class;• Photos and videos of interest.

Syllabus:

• Course description;• Grading policy and protocol;• Required readings;• Contact data for instructional staff;• Office hours of instructional staff.

Amanda Bradford

Course web site: http://faculty.washington.edu/glennvb/fish 475

Contents (continued):

Lecture files:

• Pdf files of all lectures will be posted on the website, usually at least one day before each lecture.

Schedule:• Lecture schedule, with dates for

examinations and due dates for major assignments;

• Laboratory schedule, with dates for field trips and due dates for major assignments.

Amanda BradfordAmanda Bradford

Course web site: http://faculty.washington.edu/glennvb/fish 475

Contents (continued):

Examination preparation:

• 2007 midterm examination, with examination key;

• 2007 final examination, with examination key.

E-post discussion siteAmanda BradfordAmanda Bradford

Course text

Hoelzel, A.R. 2002. Marine Mammal Biology. An Evolutionary Approach.Blackwell Science Ltd., Oxford, U.K. 432 pages.

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

Writing assignments

Research proposal:

• To be discussed in detail in next week’s lab sessions.

Critical reviews of published work:

• Two papers to be critically reviewed in writing, one that will be assigned, and one that you will select.

“Low stakes” writing:

• Four spontaneous assignments during lectures, always on a Friday. One paragraph minimum, one page maximum, full credit for honest effort to address the question posed.

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

Examinations

• Midterm: 5 May 2008 (Monday), 11:30 am–12:30 pm, rm 107 FSH

• Final: 11 June 2008 (Wednesday), 2:30-4:20 pm, rm 107 FSH

• 2007 examinations (both midterm and final) and answer key are posted on the course website.

Amanda Bradford

Laboratories

Two primary emphases:

Seeing the animals:

Alive in captivity;Alive in the field;In skeletal form;In soft-tissue dissection.

Methods for studying the animals:

Survey methods;Dietary study methods;Analytical study methods.

Amanda Bradford

Laboratories

Amanda Bradford

Scheduling notes forlab sessions:

1. No labs duringregular meetingtimes this week;

2. Field trip to Pt. Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on Sunday 6 April;

3. Next week’s sessions will meet in rm 107 FSH.

Hints for success

1. SHOW UP!

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

Hints for success

1. SHOW UP!

2. Take the reading and writing assignments seriously.

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

Hints for success

1. SHOW UP at lecture!

2. Take the reading and writing assignments seriously.

3. View the field trips as opportunities, not as obligations.

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

Hints for success

1. SHOW UP at lecture!

2. Take the reading and writing assignments seriously.

3. View the field trips as opportunities, not as obligations.

4. Work together to prepare for exams.

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

Hints for success

1. SHOW UP at lecture!

2. Take the reading and writing assignments seriously.

3. View the field trips as opportunities, not as obligations.

4. Work together to prepare for exams.

5. Talk to the instructional staff and participate in E-Post.

Courtesy ofKristin Laidre

“Birds, bats, and butterflies” –the problem of generalizing about marine mammals

Peter LaTourrette

Text reading reference: Sections 1.1 & 1.2

“Birds, bats, and butterflies” –the problem of generalizing about marine mammals

Streamlining

Text reading reference: Sections 3.1 & 3.2

Streamlining

Streamlining in marine mammals

Optimal shape for minimization of drag:

Length of body =3x to 7x maximum diameter(ideal is thought to be 4.5x)

All whale artwork shown in this lecture courtesy of Uko Gorter Illustrations and the American Cetacean Society

Other consistent features relating to drag reduction

Loss or modification of rear limbs:

Loss:

Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, & porpoises)

Sirenians (manatees and dugongs)

Modification:

Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, fur seals, and walrus)

Sea otters

Other consistent features relating to drag reduction

Loss or modification of pelage (fur):

Loss:

CetaceansSirenians

Reduction:

SealsSea Lions

Modification:

Sea ottersFur sealsPolar bears

Modificiation of cranial morphology;Simplification of dentition

Modificiation of cranial morphology;Simplification of dentition

Forward expansion of

maxilla, mandibles, and related bones

Modificiation of cranial morphology;Simplification of dentition

Forward prolongation of

maxilla, mandibles, and related bones

Simplification and reduction of

dentition

Modificiation of cranial morphology;Simplification of dentition

Forward prolongation of

maxilla, mandibles, and related bones

Simplification and reduction of

dentition

Modification of cranial

morphology

Modificiation of cranial morphology;Simplification of dentition

Forward prolongation of

maxilla, mandibles, and related bones

Simplification and reduction of

dentition

Modification of cranial

morphology

Incorporation of posterior

mandible into acoustic reception

systems

Elaboration of thermoregulatory morphology

Kristin Laidre

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

Elaboration and modification of sensory capabilities

Amanda Bradford

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre