1. komponenta

Lecture type	Total
Lectures	45
Practicum	45
Seminar	15

* Load is given in academic hour (1 academic hour = 45 minutes)

Lectures

1. History of vertebrate zoology and basic principles of systematics. Basic structure of the chordates. Importance, abundance and general traits such as anatomy, taxonomy and distribution of individual groups of vertebrates.
2. Origin and the theory of the development of the Chordates. Structure, systematics and biology of the Tunicates and Cephalochordates.
3. Structure and biology of the Agnatha. The most important representatives of the Adriatic Sea and Croatian freshwaters.
4. General introduction to fishes. Importance of fish and fisheries in Croatia and the world. Structure and biology of the Chondrichthyes.
5. Actinopterygii, functioning of anatomical systems. Systematic overview of the most important representatives of the ichthyofauna. Basic fish ecology. Basic properties of Croatia's ichthyofauna: freshwater fish, marine fish, commercial species, endangered species, systematic overview of the most important representatives of the ichthyofauna.
6. Groups Sarcopterygii and Dipnoi, basic characteristics and their position in the phylogeny of fish and the Tetrapods. Theory of the transition of vertebrates from water to land. Basics of locomotion in the vertebrates.
7. Basic characteristics of amphibians. Overview of all groups of amphibians. Recent amphibians, structure and traits. Adaptations of amphibians to various aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Mutual phylogenetic relations of extinct and recent groups.
8. Diversity of Croatia's amphibians: ecological properties, vocalization, distribution and systematic overview.
9. Basic characteristics of reptiles. Systematics of reptiles. Extinct reptiles. Structure of individual groups and adaptations of reptiles to terrestrial habitats. Amniotes.
10. Diversity of reptiles of Croatia: lizards, snakes and turtles as representatives of the Croatian fauna.
11. Birds, structure and function of adaptations to flight. Origin and phylogenetic relations of birds with other groups of vertebrates. Systematics and adaptive radiation.
12. Behavior and migration. Orientation during migration. Characteristics of Croatia's ornithofauna. Diversity of birds in Croatia. Protected bird species: Croatian and global perspectives.
13. Phylogeny of the mammals. Present day mammals. Structure and general characteristics of mammals. Locomotion in individual groups of mammals.
14. Systematics and orders of mammals. Population dynamics, migration, diet and social structures.
15. Diversity of species and traits of mammals in Croatia's fauna.

Practical exercises:

1. Structure and general characteristics of the Tunicates and Cephalochordates.
2. Structure and general characteristics of the Agnatha. Species recognition of the Agnatha.
3. Structure and general characteristics of the Chondrichthyes.
4. Structure and general characteristics of the Actinopterygii.
5. Species recognition of the Chondrichthyes and Actinopterygii.
6. Structure and general characteristics of the amphibians.
7. Structure and general characteristics of the reptiles.
8. Structure and general characteristics of the reptiles
9. Species recognition of the amphibians and reptiles.
10. Structure and general characteristics of the birds.
11. Structure and general characteristics of the birds.
12. Species recognition of the birds.
13. Structure and general characteristics of the mammals.
14. Structure and general characteristics of the mammals.
15. Species recognition of the mammals.

Seminar:

During the semester, students draft a seminar on a topic from vertebrate biology. The seminar is presented, and this is followed by discussion and mutual evaluation of the paper. Work on the seminar includes:

1. Selection of a relevant seminar topic.
2. Literature search, use of internet databases, accessing literature in the library.
3. Analyzing the available data, shaping the seminar in cooperation with the supervisor.
4. The correct use of citations.
5. Preparation of the seminar with use of specific tools for a presentation.
6. Presenting the seminar paper to the professor and fellow students.
7. Discussion on the seminar, analysis of communication skills, assessment of student success in drafting the seminar paper.

Based on the students' preferences, the seminar may address specific areas that the lectures do not cover in detail. Some examples are:
1. Muscle properties in vertebrates
2. Circulatory system
3. Diversity and abundance of vertebrates
4. Individual anatomical characteristics
5. Bird vocalizations
6. Imprint as a specific form of learning in birds
7. History of the discovery of Crossopterygian
8. Differences, anatomical properties of flight in vertebrate groups
9. Protection of bats: the most endangered mammals
10. Darwin and the origin of the species in light of the archaeopteryx
11. Visit to the Natural history museums in Vienna or Budapest
12. Visit to the zoos and aquaria in Vienna or Budapest
13. Visit to the Veternica cave

1. Pough, F. H., Janis, C. M., i Heiser, J. B. (2012): Vertebrate Life. 9th edition. Benjamin Cummings, 720 pp
2. Young, J. Z., (1985): The Life of Vertebrates. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 645 pp
3. Đulić, B., (1973): Zoologija vertebrata, Sveučilište u Zagrebu, 404 pp
4. Ognev, S. I., Fink, N., (1956): Zoologija Kralješnjaka, Školska knjiga, Zagreb, 846 pp
5. Kardong, K. (2011): Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution. 6th edition. McGraw-Hill, 816 pp
6. Kent, G.C., and Carr, R.K., (2000). Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrates, 9th ed. McGraw Hill, Boston. 544 pp.
7. Liem, K. F, Bemis, W. E., Walker, W. F, Jr. and Grande, L (2000): Functional Anatomy of the Vertebrates, 3rd edition. Brooks Cole Publishing, 784 pp
8. Kardong, K. V. and Zalisko, E. J. (2014): Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy - A Laboratory Dissection Guide, McGraw-Hill, 7th Edition. 384 pp

Enrollment :
Attended : Invertebrates

Examination :
Passed : Invertebrates

Mandatory course - Regular study - Biology