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Lectures: 3 lectures per week (70 minutes each). M-W-F. 11 AM - 12:50 PM. Room: JMS 332
Labs: Once a week (2 + hrs.). M. 3 PM - 5 PM. Room: JMS 323
Instructor: Dr. Anindo Choudhury
Office: JMS 324. Lab: JMS
330 (Parasitology Research Lab) & Aquatic Sciences Lab.
Tel. 403-3527 (office) (339-6299
home). Cell: (920) 265-8014.
E-mail: anindo.choudhury@snc.edu
Teaching Assistants: Joe Beuchel and Chris Levas.
Recommended Text: Moyle, P.B. & Cech, J.J. 2000. Fishes. An Introduction to Ichthyology.
Other important reference works (available in the Library or in my office):
Becker, G.C. 1983. Fishes of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press. (Second printing June 2001).
Lee et al. 1980. Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes.
Nelson, J.S. 1994. Fishes of the World.
Course Objectives and Outline
This upper-level course will provide an overview of the diversity of those creatures we call fishes. It is expected that you have had exposure to general biology, vertebrate anatomy, and some evolutionary biology. BL 121 is a prerequisite. Lecture material will include the systematics, biogeography, ecology, and various aspects of the biology and physiology of fishes. In addition, we will also discuss fisheries topics such as stocking, conservation and aquaculture. Much of the material covered in the recommended text (Moyle &Cech) will be covered in the lectures. I will assign additional readings from other sources from time to time. The other books referred to above (Becker, 1983; Lee et al., 1980, Nelson, 1994) should be consulted as reference texts and to further your knowledge. The book by Becker is perhaps the best of its kind. Luckily for us, it’s about Wisconsin fishes. I will also require you to write one major paper or essay on some topic in fish biology: It could be some aspect of your favorite fish or a more general topic. Topics you choose must be cleared with me. I recommend choosing a topic within the first 2-3 weeks, so you will have enough time to gather primary literature. This also means that you will be expected to use reference databases (as available) for your sources of primary literature. Since any future profession will involve some form of public speaking, you will be required to present your findings in class. I will discuss details of paper format, depth, style etc. as well as details of presentation in class. You will be graded on your work as well as your participation in the questioning etc. Since this is an upper-level course, we will also spend some Fridays discussing chosen papers (chosen by you and me together). I will also introduce you to some web-based resources that I consider important to know about. I expect you to find more and share them with the class. I may reserve a class period or two for working with such web-based resources.
The labs will emphasize the morphology (external and internal), classification, and identification (taxonomy) of fishes, with emphasis on freshwater fishes of Wisconsin. Fishes constitute the most diverse group of vertebrates and the information is as vast as the group is diverse. Some groups or species (e.g., marine species) are difficult to acquire given our location and opportunities. There will be at least one local field trip to do some sampling and data collection. This may require one weekend’s (Saturday or Sunday) participation. Details will be discussed in class. We will bring these samples back to the lab and you will then work with them (fixing, preserving, sorting, identifying and keeping records in your lab notebook). The best way to learn taxonomy and systematics is to make drawings of what you observe, and you will be required to make sketches of the specimens you study. So, bring along a notebook of the appropriate size that allows you to make such illustrations. There is no formal lab manual but I will supply handouts or various kinds that will guide you through the labs. Ichthyology labs are traditionally open-ended and you are free to come in and work on the material etc. in the evenings and weekends (I encourage you to devote some extra time to the laboratory section of the course). By the end of the course, I expect you to be able to identify most local fish species at sight and know a reasonable amount about their biology and ecology.
Academic Integrity
I will not tolerate cheating and will
follow the St. Norbert College policies relating to academic integrity
and its violation. I expect you to conduct yourself in the highest standards
of academic (including scientific) integrity throughout the course, and
you will have to abide by the SNC Academic Honor Code. I will discuss proper
methods of citation and acknowledgements in class. If in doubt, always
ask me.
Exams
There will be midterm written and lab
exams, and final written and lab exams. See course schedule below for details.
In addition, as mentioned before, you are required to write one major paper
for the course, based on a chosen topic. The tentative grading scheme is
as follows:
1st lecture exam: 15%
1st lab exam: 10%
2nd lecture exam: 15%
2nd lab exam: 10%
Final lecture exam 15%
Final Lab exam 10%
Review of assigned paper: 5%
Project/paper 10% (Due: November
25)
Paper presentation 5% (TBA)
Participation 5%
Attendance
I expect 100% attendance and 100% commitment
to this course. Absences have to be justified.
Office Hours (and reaching me)
My regular office hours are 1 PM – 2 PM
on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Otherwise, drop by and catch me when you
can. I also teach Biodiversity (BL 180): lectures at 1:40 PM – 2:50
PM (M-W--F) and labs at 3 PM on Wednesday. If you have time conflicts,
feel free to make an appointment. I am fully accessible by e-mail. You
can try calling as well. Leave a message and where you can be reached.
My home phone number is for urgent business and emergencies. I am
usually in my office or lab on weekends as well.
Lecture Topics
Principles of taxonomy, systematics, evolution
and biogeography, introduction to fish morphology, major anatomical features,
functional morphology (including physiology), behavior, comparative anatomy,
interrelationships of fishes, systematic survey of the major fish groups,
biogeography, ecology (temperate and tropical fish assemblages),
evolution, conservation biology, aquaculture. Assigned readings,
discussion of research papers etc.
Laboratory Schedule. 2003.
Lab # Topic
1 Basic principles, working with fishes. Myxinidae and Petromyzontidae. September 8.
3 Chondrichthyes & Basal Actinopterygii (“primitive” bony fishes). September 15.
4 Basal Actinopterygii contd. Sarcopterygii. September 22.
5 1st Lab Exam. September 29.
6 Teleostei: Osteoglossomorpha, Elopomorpha, Clupeomorpha. October 13.
7. Ostariophysi (Wisconsin fishes). October 20.
8 Ostariophysi (Wisconsin fishes). October 27.
9. 2nd Lab Exam. November 3.
10. Protacanthopterygii (Salmoniformes, Escociformes). November 10.
11. Percomorpha (Wisconsin fishes). November 17.
13 Percomorpha contd. (and others). November 24.
14 3rd (Final) Lab Exam. December 2.
In addition, two weekends in September or early October will be used for local collections.
Final Exam week: Dec. 8 - Dec. 12.
Required Tools and Materials
Dissecting kit
Lab coat
Dedication and enthusiasm
Check out the useful links below
American Fisheries
Society (The main scholarly society for fisheries biologists)
American Society
of Ichthyology and Herpetology (The main scholarly society for fish
systematics and basic biology).
Fishbase
(A huge worlwide database on > 25,000 species of fishes)
Wisconsin
Fishes (A Wisconsin DNR Website)
Fishes
of Wisconsin (George Becker's Classic now available free online)
The
Elasmobranch Society (A good url for sharks, skates and rays)