No subject
Chris Wozencraft
wozie at LCSC.EDU
Fri Jan 20 08:17:12 CST 1995
Readers of TAXACOM
Earlier I put out a plea for information concerning textbooks that
would be suitable for a course in Biological Systematics. The
course is designed for undergraduates in our Field Biology
Program. Many responded and I thank you for your assistance.
Below is the course syllabus that I have put together for the
semester. Evidently, there are no textbooks that cover the scope
of classification, taxonomy, and systematics for both plants and
animals - at least not at what I would consider a sophomore-Junior
level course. Mayr & Ashlock came close - but did not cover
plants.
I have found that students that take our other courses (Zoology,
Botany, Mammalogy, etc.) have little or no understanding of
classification, taxonomy and/or systematics. Because of this we
now require this class in biological systematics of our biology
majors. This will become especially critical with all of the
emphasis on biodiversity and monitoring that is occuring in field
biology.
Because of the failure of finding a textbook that meets my
criteria, I am using a collection of 'readings' taken from various
sources in the hope that we will touch on the basics and give them
an understanding of the field at the same time. (see list below)
I would appreciate any suggestions, helpful hints, comments, etc.
that any one would dare venture to help out.
----------------------------------------------------------
Course: BI 302 Biological Systematics Spring 1995
Instructor: W. Chris Wozencraft
email = wozie at lcsc.edu
SnailMailbox: Div. Nat. Science
Lewis-Clark State College
Lewiston, ID 83501
PHONE: (208)799-2889
FAX: (208)799-2064
PURPOSE: This course will focus on evolutionary systematic
theory as a tool for discerning the relationships among
organisms. Areas to be covered include: Cladistics,
phenetics, macroevolution, molecular systematics, speciation,
and the construction of phylogenetic trees that will depict
the best hypothesis for the evolution of a selected group.
COURSE COMPETENCIES:
1. To be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of
current theories concerning evolutionary and comparative
biology and systematics.
2. To be able to critically evaluate phylogenetic hypotheses
using current comparative techniques.
3. To be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of
current theories regarding speciation and anagenetic change.
4. To have a working knowledge of at least two computer software
packages used to evaluate phylogenetic hypotheses.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
1. 2 classroom meetings per week. Format will vary: lecture,
discussion, and student presentation.
2. Work in computer lab as needed.
METHODS OF EVALUATION:
1. Hour exams 40%
2. Quizzes 10%
3. Project (research paper) 25%
4. Homework & computer assignments: 18%
5. Participation 7%
SCHEDULE
January 18 Systematics as the basis of comparative biology
and evolution
Topics: course outline, Just what is systematics and why is
it important? Basic classification scheme: Why do we
classify things? Are classifications natural? What
difference does it make? What is a scientific name? Who
cares?
Jan 23 Eldredge & Cracraft (1980): Biological
Classification (pp. 147-210)
Darwin, Natural Groups and Classification;
classification of animals and plants; Linnaean Hierarchy;
trees and classification. Individual concept versus group
concept. How does this affect endangered species?
Subspecies? Populations?
25 The vocabulary of Classification.
Hierarchial Schemata: What does it mean?
30 Zoological Rules of Nomenclature
[Mayr, 1969: 297-380; Mayr & Ashlock, 383-406]
Nomenclatural codes; binomial nomenclature; systematics
above the species level; types; identification and keys;
hybrids; domestic animals.
February 1 Botanical Rules of Nomenclature
[Sivarajan, 1991: 198-217]
Nomenclatural codes; binomial nomenclature; systematics
above the species level; types; identification and keys;
hybrids; domestic varieties.
6 Wiley (1981): Rules of Nomenclature (pp. 366-400)
Systematic literature, keys, publication rules,
synonomies.
8 Bad Taxonomy can kill: Taxonomy and the
conservation of endangered species.
13 Taxonomy Test
15 Wiley (1981) Species and Speciation (pp. 21-37).
Just what is a species? Subspecies? What are the
different kinds of species concepts? How do you know when you
have a new species? Are they natural? How can you identify
species?
20 HOLIDAY - NO CLASS
22 Mayr & Ashlock (1991): The Species Category;
The Species Taxon, (pp. 23-54).
Clines, variants, hybrids and other species concepts.
How do you tell subspecies apart?
27 Wiley (1981) Species and Speciation (pp. 38-69).
Modes of speciation: sympatry, allopatry, parapatry.
Co-evolution. Reductive speciation. Sibling species.
March 1 Stace, 1989: Plants and Hybrids.
6 Species and Speciation Test (75%new/25%old)
8 Phenetics, Phylogenetic Systematics, and
Evolutionary Classifications
A comparison of different schools of thought concerning
how organisms should be classified; advantages and
disadvantages of each method.
13 Eldredge & Cracraft (1980):
Biological Classification (pp. 211-239)
Cladograms, trees, and classification.
15 Wiley (1981) Phylogenetic Classification
(pp. 193-239)
Components of phylogenetic classifications; Linnaean
hierarchy and its alternatives; classification of fossils;
trees and classifications.
20 Funk & Brooks (1994): Phylogenetic Systematics as
the Basis of Comparative Biology (pp. 1-29).
Also: Introduction to MacClade & PAUP
Comparative methods; hybridization; speciation.
22 Funk & Brooks (1994): Phylogenetic Systematics as
the Basis of Comparative Biology
(pp. 29-42).
Historical ecology; ecological and behavioral
diversification.
27-29 SPRING BREAK
April 3 Wiley, et al. (1991): Chapter 1
(good for test review).
5 Phylogenetic Systematics Test. (75%new/25%old)
10 Homology as the basis for comparative biology.
MacClade & PAUP: Pt. 2
12 Wiley, et al. (1991): Basic Phylogenetic
Techniques. (Chapter 2)
17 Wiley, et al. (1991): Character argumentation
and coding. (Chapter 3)
Homology, outgroups, polarities, ordered vs.unordered.
19 Wiley, et al. (1991): Tree building and
optimization. (Chapter 4).
Parsimony, optimizing trees. MacClade & PAUP, Pt.3
24 Wiley, et al. (1991): Tree comparisons.
(Chapter 5)
Tree length; consistency indices; consensus
techniques.
26 Wiley, et al. (1991): Classification.
(Chapter 6)
May 1 Project Presentations
3 Project Presentations
8 Project Presentations
15 Fourth Hour Exam. (75%new/25%old)
---------------------------------------------
Blackwelder, R.E. 1967. Taxonomy: A text and reference Book.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. NY.
Bremer, K. 1985. Summary of green plant phylogeny and
classification. Cladistics 1:369-385.
Brooks, D.R., and D. A. McLennan. 1991. Phylogeny, Ecology, and
Behavior: A Research Program in Comparative Biology.
University of Chicago Press.
Cracraft, J. 1983. Species concepts and speciation analysis.
Current Ornithology 1:159-187.
Eldredge, N., and J. Cracraft. 1980. Phylogenetic Patterns and
the Evolutionary Process. Columbia University Press.
Forey, P.L., C. J. Humphries, et. al. 1992. Cladistics: A
practical course in Systematics. Oxford Science
Publications. The Systematics Association Publication no.
10.
Funk, V.A. 1985. Phylogenetic patterns and hybridization.
Annuals of the Mo. Botanical Garden 72:681-715.
Hovenkamp, P., E. Gittenberger, E. Hennipman, et al. 1987.
Systematics and Evolution: A Matter of Diversity. Utrecht
University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. 1985.
International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. 3rd ed. ISBN
0-85301-003
Mayr, E. and P.D. Ashlock. 1991. Principles of Systematic
Zoology. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill. Inc. ISBN 0-07-041144-1.
Panchen, A.L. 1992. Classification, evolution, and the nature of
biology. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-31578-6
Schoch, R.M. 1986. Phylogeny Reconstruction in Paleontology.
Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York.
Sivarajan, V.V. (ed. by N.K.B. Robson). 1991. Introduction to
the Principles of Plant Taxonomy. 2nd ed. Cambridge
University Press. NY. ISBN 0-521-35587-7.
Stace, C.A. 1989. Plant Taxonomy and Biosystematics. 2nd ed.
Edward Arnold. London. ISBN 0-7131-2955-7.
Wiley, E.O., and R. L. Mayden. 1985. Species and speciation in
phylogenetic systematics, with examples from the North
American fish fauna. Ann. Mo. Botanical Garden 72:596-635.
Wiley, E. O. 1981. Phylogenetics. The Principles and Practice
of Phylogenetic systematics. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Wiley, E. O., D. Siegel-Causey, D. R. Brooks, V. A. Funk. 1991.
The Compleat Cladist: A Primer of Phylogenetic Procedures.
The University of Kansas, Museum of Natural History. Special
Publication No. 19.
More information about the Taxacom
mailing list