This course examines the vast diversity of invertebrate taxa and the tools and concepts used to classify them and understand their origins. Principles of zoogeography, phylogeny, natural selection and comparative analyses will form the conceptual backbone of the course. In lectures and labs, students will 'climb' the tree of life, from the most ancient pre-invertebrates to more derived forms, and explore their anatomical and morphological diversity.
This course examines the vast diversity of invertebrate taxa and the tools and concepts used to classify them and understand their origins. Principles of zoogeography, phylogeny, natural selection and comparative analyses will form the conceptual backbone of the course. In lectures and labs, students will 'climb' the tree of life, from the most ancient pre-invertebrates to more derived forms, and explore their anatomical and morphological diversity.
