| Invertebrate Chordates and the Origin of Vertebrates |
| 1. |
Distinguish between the phyla of deuterostomes. |
| 2. |
Describe the four derived traits that define the phylum Chordata. |
| 3. |
Distinguish among the three subphyla of the phylum Chordata and give examples of each. |
| 4. |
Discuss the evidence for and against Garstang’s hypothesis that vertebrates had a tunicate-like ancestor. |
| 5. |
Explain what lancelets suggest about the evolution of the chordate brain. |
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Craniates Are Chordates with a Head |
| 6. |
Discuss the importance of genetic duplication in chordate evolution. |
| 7. |
Explain the fate of the neural crest cells in craniate development. |
| 8. |
Explain what Haikouella and Haikouichthys tell us about craniate evolution. |
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Vertebrates Are Craniates with a Backbone |
| 9. |
Describe the way of life and unique characters of the lamprey. |
| 10. |
Describe conodonts, and explain why they are considered vertebrates. |
| 11. |
Describe the trends in mineralized structures in early vertebrates. |
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Gnathostomes Are Vertebrates with Jaws |
| 12. |
Explain one hypothesis for the evolution of the jaws of gnathostomes. |
| 13. |
List the shared, derived characters that characterize gnathostomes. |
| 14. |
Describe the evidence that suggests that the loss of bone in Chondrichthyes is a derived feature. |
| 15. |
Describe the features of sharks that are adaptive for their active, predatory lifestyle. |
| 16. |
Describe and distinguish between Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes, noting the main traits of each group. |
| 17. |
Identify and describe the main subgroups of Osteichthyes. |
| 18. |
Name the three living lineages of lobe-fins. |
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Tetrapods Are Gnathostomes with Limbs and Feet |
| 19. |
Define and distinguish between gnathostomes, tetrapods, and amniotes. |
| 20. |
Explain what Acanthostega suggests about the origin of tetrapods. |
| 21. |
Describe the common traits of amphibians and distinguish among the three orders of living amphibians. |
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Amniotes Have Amniotic Eggs |
| 22. |
Describe an amniotic egg and explain its significance in the evolution of reptiles and mammals. |
| 23. |
Explain why the reptile clade includes birds. |
| 24. |
Describe a number of reptile features that are adaptive for life on land. |
| 25. |
Explain why non-bird reptiles should be called “ectothermic” rather than “cold-blooded.” |
| 26. |
Define and describe the parareptiles. |
| 27. |
Distinguish between the lepidosaurs and the archosaurs. |
| 28. |
Compare the interpretations of dinosaurs as ectotherms or endotherms. |
| 29. |
Describe the specialized adaptations of snakes that make them successful predators. |
| 30. |
List the modifications of birds that are adaptive for flight. |
| 31. |
Summarize the evidence supporting the hypothesis that birds evolved from theropod dinosaur ancestors. |
| 32. |
Explain the significance of Archaeopteryx. |
| 33. |
Describe the characteristic derived characters of mammals. |
| 34. |
Describe the evolutionary origin of mammals. |
| 35. |
Distinguish among monotreme, marsupial, and eutherian mammals. |
| 36. |
Describe the adaptive radiation of mammals during the Cretaceous and early Tertiary periods. |
| 37. |
Compare and contrast the four main evolutionary clades of eutherian mammals. |
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Primates and the Evolution of Homo sapiens |
| 38. |
Describe the general characteristics of primates. Note in particular the features associated with an arboreal existence. |
| 39. |
Distinguish between the two subgroups of primates and describe their early evolutionary relationship. |
| 40. |
Distinguish between hominoid and hominid. |
| 41. |
Explain what Sahelanthropus tells us about hominid evolution. |
| 42. |
Describe the evolution of Homo sapiens from australopith ancestors. Clarify the order in which distinctive human traits aro |
