3 ECTS credits
78 u studietijd
Aanbieding 1 met studiegidsnummer 4016566FNR voor alle studenten in het 1e semester van een oneven academiejaar (bvb. 2013-2014) met een gespecialiseerd master niveau.
Adaptations for burrowing have evolved multiple times in amphibians and reptiles, and often resulted in bizarre, but fascinating organisms. The course starts with a general introduction to burrowing herpetofauna. Students will be given a brief overview of caecilian anatomy and taxonomy. Different topics such as caecilian phylogeny, classification, evolution, reproduction and ecology will be outlined more thoroughly. Issues around conservation of caecilians and difficulties experienced during fieldwork will receive special attention. Other burrowing reptiles and amphibians will be addressed too.
Several practical classes offer the students an opportunity to identify various caecilian species and familiarize with their typical morphological characteristics. Finally, students choose a specific group of burrowing amphibians or reptiles and study them more in-depth. Students will explore which specific adaptations these burrowing species exhibit in comparison to their closest non-burrowing relatives or other burrowing species. In the final lecture, students will be encouraged to actively take part in a discussion and exchange their knowledge with each other and the tutor.
Not applicable.
After following this course, students will have gained extensive knowledge on the biology of caecilians as well as other burrowing reptiles and amphibians, and understand how these organisms interact with their environment. By combining different biological subdisciplines, such as taxonomy, phylogeny, evolution, conservation biology, ecology and reproductive biology, students are expected to
- have a multifaceted and integrated view on the biology of burrowing herpetofauna.
- know the most recent developments in the field of burrowing herpetofauna.
- have insight into what adaptations burrowing amphibians and reptiles developed during their evolutionary history.
- be able to perform a comprehensive literature study, excerpt research question from it and turn them into a well-constructed research plan.
- be able to share and discuss their ideas and knowledge with each other and the tutor in scientific English.
- be able to examine and independently identify caecilian species based on morphological characters.
De beoordeling bestaat uit volgende opdrachtcategorieën:
Examen Schriftelijk bepaalt 100% van het eindcijfer
Binnen de categorie Examen Schriftelijk dient men volgende opdrachten af te werken:
Not applicable.
Deze aanbieding maakt deel uit van de volgende studieplannen:
Master of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Life sciences (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)