Biology 542: Ichthyology (Spring 2006)
Dr. Keith Gido
208 Bushnell Hall
532-5088 (office); 532-6616 (lab)
e-mail: kgido@ksu.edu
web page: www.ksu.edu/fishecology/
Office hours: By appointment
Graduate Assistant: Nathan Franssen
e-mail: nrf5400@ksu.edu
212 Bushnell Hall
Undergraduate Assistants:
Phil Brinkley
e-mail: philb@ksu.edu
Lecture: Monday and Wednesday 1:30 - 2:20 am, Willard 115
Lab: Wednesday 2:30 - 5:20 pm, AK 112
Objectives
Lecture: Ichthyology is a broad science that includes the study of fish physiology, anatomy, ecology, management, and evolution. Considering that more than 23,000 species of fishes have been described, this is an enormous field, and it would be impossible to cover all aspect of Ichthyology in one semester. Thus, our emphasis will be on the evolutionary relationships of major groups of fishes along with a detailed examination of North American species. In addition, we will explore the diverse ways this group of organisms has adapted to aquatic environments. The objective of the class is for students to gain an understanding and appreciation for the wonderful diversity of fishes by exploring the physiological, behavioral, structural, and, ecological aspects of these organisms.
Lab: There are three primary goals of ichthyology lab: 1) to understand the structure and function of fishes, 2) to be proficient at using taxonomic keys to identify fishes, and 3) understand evolutionary trends in the structure and function of fishes. Because some of the laboratory exercises will involve observation of live specimens in the field, it is recommended that student purchase a pair of waders in order to fully participate in class activities.
Academic Misconduct
Visit the KSU Honor System Web Page for details: http://www.ksu.edu/honor
Grading
Lecture grade will be based on two exams (100 points each), a research paper (60 points), and a final exam (150 points). Laboratory grade will be based on three exam scores (90 points each) and a completed notebook that will be graded three times during the semester (50 points total). Maximum possible points = 550.
There will be no makeup exams
Text
Helfman, G. S., B. B. Collette, and D. E. Facey. 1997. The Diversity of Fishes. Blackwell Science, Malden, Mass.
Pflieger, W. L. 1997. The Fishes of Missouri, Revised Edition. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
Tentative schedule for Ichthyology (Biol 542)
|
Date |
Topic |
Reading |
|
Jan. 16 |
Introduction and History of Ichthyology |
pp. 1 - 10 |
|
Jan. 18 |
Structure and Form (Body Shape, Locomotion) |
pp. 11-20 |
|
Jan. 23 |
Respiration (Gill Morphology, Air Breathing Fishes) |
pp. 35 - 46 |
|
Jan. 25 |
Circulation (Chemical Transfer, Heart function) |
pp. 47 - 68 |
|
Jan. 30 |
Homeostasis (Buoyancy, Thermal Regulation, Osmoregulation) |
pp. 69 - 96 |
|
Feb. 1 |
Feeding (Digestion, Nutition, Excretion), Growth, Sensory perception (Chemoreception, Acoustics, Electroreception) |
pp. 97 - 122; pp. 145 - 160 |
|
Feb. 6 |
Reproduction (Anatomy, Behavior, Sex Changes, Hormones) |
pp. 123 - 144 |
|
Feb. 8 |
Exam 1 |
|
|
Feb. 13 |
Primer on Systematics (Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Methods) |
pp. 181 - 192 |
|
Feb. 15 |
Evolutionary trends in morphology (Jaw Suspension) |
pp. 198 - 211 |
|
Feb. 20 |
Zoogeography (Distribution of Major Groups of Fishes) |
pp. 341 - 376 |
|
Feb. 22 |
Evolutionary relationship of fishes (Fossil Fishes: Ostracoderms, Placoderms, Acanthodii) |
pp.193 - 198 |
|
Feb. 27 |
Evolutionary relationship of fishes (Hagfishes and Lampreys) |
pp. 212 - 218 |
|
Mar. 1 |
Evolutionary relationship of fishes (Sharks, Rays, and Chimeras) |
pp. 219 - 232 |
|
Mar. 6 |
Evolutionary relationship of fishes (Relict Bony Fishes) |
pp. 233 - 240 |
|
Mar. 8 |
Field Trip to Wildcat Creek |
|
|
Mar. 13 |
Evolutionary relationship of fishes (Bonytongues, Herrings, and Eels) |
pp. 241 - 252 |
|
Mar. 15 |
Evolutionary relationship of fishes (Minnows, Characins, and Catfishes) |
pp. 253 - 266 |
|
Mar. 20 |
Spring Break |
|
|
Mar. 22 |
Spring Break |
|
|
Mar. 27 |
Exam 2 |
|
|
Mar. 29 |
Evolutionary relationship of fishes (Smelt, Salmon, and Pike) |
pp. 267 - 275 |
|
Apr. 3 |
Evolutionary relationship of fishes (Anglerfish, Barracudinas, Cods, and Dragonfish) |
pp. 276 - 289 |
|
Apr. 5 |
Evolutionary relationship of fishes (Silversides, Flying Fish, and Killifish) |
pp. 290 - 298 |
|
Apr. 10 |
Evolutionary relationship of fishes (Opahs, Squirrelfish, Dories, Pipefish, and Sculpins) |
pp. 299 - 313 |
|
Apr. 12 |
Evolutionary relationship of fishes (Perciformes); First draft of paper due today |
pp. 313 - 334 |
|
Apr. 17 |
Evolutionary relationship of fishes (Flounders, Puffers, and Molas) |
pp. 335 - 340 |
|
Apr. 19 |
Special adaptations of fishes (Early Life History?) |
|
|
Apr. 24 |
Behavior (Schooling, Reproductive, Predatory) |
pp. 161 - 180 |
|
Apr. 26 |
Conservation of Fishes; Final draft of paper due |
pp. 504 - 532 |
|
May 1 |
Open |
|
|
May 3 |
Review |
|
|
May 10 |
Final Exam at 11:50 am to 1:40 pm |
|
Ichthyology Laboratory Schedule
|
Date |
Topic |
Comments |
|
Jan. 18 |
External anatomy, skull exercise |
|
|
Jan. 25 |
Skull and axial skeleton |
|
|
Feb. 1 |
Internal anatomy, dissection |
|
|
Feb. 8 |
Hagfishes, Lampreys, Sharks and Rays |
Lab Exam I |
|
Feb. 15 |
Relict bony fishes and Teleost Offshoots |
|
|
Feb. 22 |
Ostariophysi I: Minnows, Characins and Catfishes |
|
|
Mar. 1 |
Ostariophysi II: Minnows, Characins and Catfishes |
|
|
Mar. 8 |
Field trip to Wildcat Creek* |
|
|
Mar. 15 |
Smelt, Salmon, Pike, Anglerfish, Cods, Barracundinas, and Dragonfish |
Lab Exam II; Sort fish from Wildcat Creek |
|
Mar. 22 |
Spring Break |
|
|
Mar. 29 |
Silversides, Killifish, Squirrelfish, Pipefish and Sculpins |
Weekend field trip April 1st* |
|
Apr. 5 |
Perciformes I |
Sort fish from Missouri |
|
Apr. 12 |
Perciformes II |
|
|
Apr. 19 |
Flounders, Puffers, and Molas |
|
|
Apr. 26 |
|
Lab exam III |
* Field trips are scheduled to allow students to observe fishes in their natural habitat. Students are advised to dress appropriately in case of bad weather.
Biology 542, Ichthyology
Research Paper (75 points)
Each student is required to submit a written paper that describes sampling methods, water-body characteristics, and species accounts for a collection site in the region. This might include local streams, rivers, ponds or reservoirs, with the exception of Wildcat Creek, which we will be visiting during a field trip. Students can, however, use streams or rivers that we will visit on the optional weekend field trip. Please note there are regulations on seining bait fishes and that some areas have threatened or endangered species. You are required to have a fishing license to seine fish, cannot use a seine > 15 feet in length or > 4 feet deep, cannot take sport fishes, cannot take > 500 individuals, cannot take individuals > 12 inches, and cannot seine on department-owned waters. Please consult the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks web page for the current regulations http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/fishing.
The paper format (including references) should strictly follow Transactions of the American Fisheries Society guidelines (http://www.fisheries.org/publications/journals/authguides.htm).
Papers should not exceed 8 pages of double spaced text. Tables, figures and literature citations are included in this page limit. A substantial portion of the grade will be based on the ability to follow formatting instructions.
You will turn in a first copy of the paper worth 40 points that will be edited and returned to you. A revised copy of the paper will be turned in for an additional 35 points. It is advised that you do your best on the first copy so you will have minimal corrections to make on the revised copy. Please see the instructor if you have questions about formatting.
Each paper should have the following sections:
I. Introduction - Background information on the water body and fish fauna (e.g., history of collecting efforts, management activities, land use).
II. Description of the water body - Give specific details of the river, stream, pond or reservoir. For example, how big is the watershed? How long is the river or stream? What is the major geologic formation underlying the water? What type of habitats were available?
- Data for this aspect of the paper can be found on various web pages
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS www.usgs.gov)
EPA Surf Your Watershed (http://www.epa.gov/surf/)
III. Description of sampling methods - Habitats sampled, type of gear, effort, biases (what habitats were not sampled?)
IV. Species account - List, in phylogenetic order, each species captured at the study sites. Provide a brief description of the life history of the fish (food habits, preferred habitat, body size, etc.) and anything particularly interesting about that species.
V. Conclusion - Summarize major findings. What was unique about your collection? Did you notice any interesting species associations?
VI. Literature Cited - Although you are welcome to use information from web pages (given that you properly reference them), you must cite at least 7 peer-reviewed journal articles or books.