Biology of Fishes ENV 422/NRE 422/EEB 440
Instructor: Solomon David
GSI: Anat Belasen
Overview
Background & Introduction
Instructors
Objectives
Assignments
Course Topics
Background & Intro
Instructors
Solomon David
Anat Belasen (GSI)
Objectives
Develop an understanding of the major groups of fishes, their phylogeny, evolution, and adaptation to life in aquatic environments.
Gain an appreciation for the diversity of fishes, their importance to human cultures, and their role in the evolution of all other vertebrates.
Explore contemporary issues related to the biology and conservation ecology of fishes.
References
Website: http://umichfishes.wordpress.com
Textbook (not required) :
The Diversity of Fishes
(Helfman et al 2010)
Assignments
Species capsule write-up
Journal article review
Presentation
Course Topics
Classification
Anatomy & Physiology
Biogeography
Conservation Ecology
Fisheries Management
Aquaculture
Phylogeny of Lepisosteiformes
Vertebrates Gnathostomes
Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes) Osteichthyes (bony fishes)
Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fishes)
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Polypteriformes (bichirs) Chondrostei (sturgeons, paddlefishes)
Neopterygii
LEPISOSTEIFORMES (gars) Amiiformes (bowfins)
Teleostei (catfishes, pike, perch…)
Combined data for all 3 genes
Great Lakes uniform
Mississippi diverse
W. Gulf Coast divergent
Wetlands & fluvial habitats
Species & habitat analyses
Muskegon Lake (Lake Michigan)
Crane Creek (Lake Erie)
Questions?