Zoology 1400-122ZOO-en

The lecture content is updated annually to reflect advancements in scientific knowledge. It introduces students to the principles and implications of Darwinian evolutionary theory within the methodological framework of modern science. It covers methods of estimating phylogenetic relationships through diversity analysis and approaches to reconstructing evolutionary history. The course provides a concise overview of the current knowledge on the origins, anatomy, and biology of major groups of extant organisms. It highlights the evolutionary significance of sexual reproduction and its impact on biological diversity. The relationship between plants and animals is discussed, along with the diversity and evolution of major groups of so-called "protozoans." The course also explores the evolutionary roots of animals within the fungal kingdom, the role of the basement membrane and epithelial tissue in animals, and the molecular and anatomical relationships among metazoans.

The course examines molluscan anatomy and evolution, the evolutionary challenges within trochophorans and platyhelminths, and functional explanations for the complexity of their molecular, biological, and morphological evolution. The evolutionary pathways of molting animals, the development of their sensory organs, and the mechanisms of neural signal transmission are analyzed. The anatomical basis of hydraulic burrowing in sediment and its environmental consequences for marine ecosystems are explained. The molecular, anatomical, and paleontological foundations for determining homologies of cephalic appendages among arthropod classes are discussed. The course provides insights into the origins and diversification of major groups of arachnids and crustaceans and addresses the evolution of insect and myriapod body plans. It explores the divergent evolution of insect larvae and adults, the diversity and evolutionary history of major insect groups, and the universality of regulatory mechanisms in animal development, focusing on segmental homeotic genes and their evolution.

The emergence and early evolution of chordates are discussed, along with the secondary anatomical features of hemichordates and echinoderms. The course explains the evolutionary constraints of aquatic vertebrates and the role of osmoregulation in the colonization of freshwater habitats. The origins of paired fins, the evolutionary precedence of lungs over the swim bladder, and the diversity of fish anatomy and biology are examined. The evolution of limbs, skeletal adaptations to terrestrial environments, and sensory organ modifications for land habitats are analyzed. The course provides information on the evolution of amphibians and the reproductive adaptations of reptiles to terrestrial life. The reptilian origins of avian behavior and anatomy, the evolution of nesting and parental care, and the causes of sexual dimorphism in birds are discussed.

The physiological characteristics of mammals are examined, including the origins of hair. The evolutionary transformation of the middle ear in tetrapods is linked to changes in jaw structure. The course discusses the evolution of monotreme and marsupial reproduction, as well as the origins of placental mammals. The evolutionary history of carnivorous mammals, cetaceans, and ungulates is presented, along with adaptations for food processing and fermentation-based digestion. The evolutionary relationships of rodents and the modifications of primate dentition and skull structure related to the development of stereoscopic vision are discussed. The course concludes with an examination of the biological evolution of humans.

The labs follow a systematic framework covering both unicellular and evolutionarily advanced organisms discussed in the lectures. Classes are conducted in groups and are designed to ensure that each student personally performs a specimen dissection or conducts live observations of several animals during the semester. The exercises also provide essential skills, including working with research equipment, finding and utilizing scientific literature, and writing academic papers in a scientific style.