OEB51: Biology and Evolution of Invertebrate Animals

Instructors: Dr. Gonzalo Giribet and Dr. Cassandra Extavour
Introduction to invertebrate diversity, will cover the development, adult anatomy, biology and evolutionary relationships of the main animal phyla including sponges, mollusks, annelids and arthropods among others. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the broad diversity of animal forms and their adaptations to different ecosystems and how these phenomena shape animal evolution. Lectures will be complemented with a mandatory weekly lab, and the course includes a field trip to different areas of outstanding marine diversity in the Caribbean. Notes: Optional field trip to the Caribbean for research during spring break.