Mari 302: Biology and Behaviour of Marine Vertebrates
Course Outline
Course co-ordinator: Professor Steve Dawson
Ph 479-7468; Rm 211a Marine Science, [email protected]
Teaching fellow: TBA
Course outline
The most fascinating and sophisticated animals on the planet are vertebrates. In this
course we consider those which have made their living in the sea; starting with fish,
marine reptiles, seabirds, and ending with marine mammals. For each group we focus
first on biodiversity, explore the physiological, ecological and behavioural solutions they
have evolved, and discuss the conservation issues they face in the modern world. We
take time to explore the oddities; for example fish that use electrical pulses to navigate,
or have parasitic males whose only function is to fertilise females, seasnakes whose
venom is as deadly as that of all but the most dangerous land snakes, seabirds that fly
underwater, and whales which make the loudest, and most complicated acoustic signals
in the animal kingdom.
Learning outcomes
The key learning outcomes of MARI 302 is to provide students with an understanding of
the diversity of marine vertebrates and of their adaptations to their environment.
Specifically, we seek students to gain an understanding of:
 diversity, form and function in marine vertebrate taxa
 feeding and reproductive biology
 physiological and behavioural adaptations to a marine environment
 Diversity and ecology of NZ marine vertebrates
 Management and conservation issues facing marine vertebrates both
internationally and in NZ.
In addition, we expect students will improve their written and oral communication skills,
gain confidence in solving problems, and increase their ability to work collaboratively
with others.
Prerequisites
BIOL112, ZOOL221 or equivalent (contact co-ordinator)
Special requirements
You will need a labcoat for the labs. New lab coats are available from the Archway shop
in the link next to the main library and also from Road Materials Workgear (4-6 Forth
Street). Sharp lead pencils and an eraser are also required.
You will need wet weather gear and (ideally) gumboots for the fieldtrip. Gumboots will
be great for the dissection also.
There’s no textbook. Via Blackboard, we’ll direct you to reading to support the lectures
and labs.
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Lectures (Tues, Wed 0900-0950)
MARINE FISH
Introduction to the course, evolution of fish
Physiological solutions, sensory systems
Fish form and locomotion
Reproductive strategies
Fish ecology & ecological role
Fisheries Ecosystems
Sharks, rays & strange adaptations to special problems
Fisheries and conservation
9
10
11
MARINE REPTILES
Marine turtles: biology ecology and behaviour
Sea snake biology: evolution and use of venom
Sea snake distribution & ecology, conservation issues
15
16
SEABIRDS
Seabird morphology, diversity and adaptations
Seabird ecology & ecological role
Seabird extremes: Seabirds that don't fly - biology and behaviour
of penguins
Mid-semester break 14-21 April (inclusive)
Seabird extremes: Albatrosses - life on the wing
Seabird conservation issues
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
MARINE MAMMALS
Evolution of whales, dolphins
Adaptations to diving
Pinniped diversity, biology and behaviour
Baleen whales: ecology, ecological role and behaviour
Toothed whales: ecology and behaviour
The senses
Sonar and acoustic communication
Why is NZ sealion declining?
Going, going... gone: the story of Baiji, Vaquita & Maui's
12
13
14
Lecturer
lect date
Lab
Note two lab streams
labs (Wed, Thurs 1400-1750)
Dawson
Wing
Wing
Wing
Wing
Wing
Dawson
Dawson
28-Feb
1-Mar
7-Mar
8-Mar
14-Mar
15-Mar
21-Mar
22-Mar
1
Biochronology and fish popns
2
Finish off Biochronology lab
3
No lab: finish report from field trip
4
Modern tools in vertebrate biology
Wing
Dawson
Dawson
28-Mar
29-Mar
4-Apr
5
Sea snakes: ID and anatomy
6
Mid-term exam
Kennedy
van Heezik
5-Apr
11-Apr
7
Homology & Phylogeny
van Heezik
12-Apr
van Heezik
Dawson
26-Apr
2-May
8
Seabird Posters
Fordyce
Dawson
Rayment
Dawson
Dawson
Dawson
Dawson
Robertson
Dawson
3-May
9-May
10-May
16-May
17-May
23-May
24-May
30-May
31-May
9
Fossil whales
10
Photo-ID; mark recapture
11
Dissection of dolphin/seal
12
Marine Mammal Sounds
13
Humans as Marine mammals
Contributing lecturers
Professor Steve Wing (Marine Science: [email protected])
Assoc Prof Yolanda van Heezik (Zoology Dept: [email protected])
Dr Martyn Kennedy (Zoology Dept: [email protected])
Professor Ewan Fordyce (Geology Dept: [email protected])
Dr Will Rayment (Marine Science: will.rayment @otago.ac.nz)
Assoc Prof Bruce Robertson (Zoology Dept: [email protected])
Assessment
Biochronology lab report (hand in at Lecture)
Mid-term Exam
Research poster on seabird biology
Lab book content (hand in at Sounds Lab)
Final exam
value (%)
10
10
10
20
date due
21-Mar
week of 3 April
26, 27 Apr
24, 25-May
50
TBA
Handing in work for assessment
Assignments must be accompanied by a signed copy of the Marine Science coversheet
– you can download a copy from the Marine Science Website.
Assignments should be submitted as a pdf file by email to the Teaching Fellow
([email protected]) as well as in hard copy at Marine Science
Department reception room 141, 310 Castle Street.
Late Assignments will lose 5% off the final grade for every overdue day (i.e. a grade of
67% would become 62% if one day late). This makes it IMPOSSIBLE to pass if your
assignment is 10 days late. Late assignments must be handed in to the departmental
receptionist for time-stamping. Extensions are normally given only in cases of
bereavement or illness (accompanied by a medical certificate), and are only available
before assignment due dates.
Moral of the story: don't hand assignments in late.
This seems tough, but it is Departmental policy, and it is a life lesson. We all have to
learn to deal with deadlines.
Plagiarism
Honesty is the cornerstone of science. Any student involved in academic misconduct,
whether intentional or arising through failure to take reasonable care, will be subject to
the University's Academic Integrity Procedures - which contain a range of penalties.
“Academic misconduct” is seeking to gain for yourself, or assisting another person to
gain, an academic advantage by deception or other unfair means. The most common
form of academic misconduct is plagiarism.
Dishonest practice in relation to work submitted for assessment (including all course
work, tests and examinations) is taken very seriously at the University of Otago. If you
are ever in doubt concerning what is acceptable academic practice in relation to
assessment, talk to the teaching fellow or course co-ordinator before submitting the
work.
Communication
When the Department of Marine Science communicates with you, it will be via your
student email address (@student.otago.ac.nz). Please make sure that you check this
address regularly, or that you arrange forwarding to an address you check regularly.
You’ll need to choose a student representative who will take care of official
communications and feedback for your group of students. Make sure you know him/her.
We welcome informal feedback, however, at any time.
Most of our communication with you will be via Blackboard, a web-based learning
platform. On Blackboard you will find notices about the course, feedback on
assessments, and lots of resource material. Please make sure you can access your own
personal Blackboard page (go to http://[email protected] and login using your
university student username and password) and that all your courses are listed there.
Useful Links
Department of Marine
Science website
University policy on academic
integrity
Student Learning Centre
University Library
http://www.otago.ac.nz/marinescience
http://www.otago.ac.nz/study/academicintegrity/
http://hedc.otago.ac.nz/hedc/sld.html
http://www.otago.ac.nz/library/index.html
Help
If you are worried, upset, sick, technologically challenged, overtired, or overwhelmed,
you can always talk to us. If you prefer, you can send an email or give staff a call. If you
don’t feel comfortable asking yourself, you can channel questions and suggestions via
your student rep. If that won’t work, find another person who you feel comfortable talking
to. Or head over to Student Health, where they have counseling available.
More than anything else, we want you to succeed.
_________________