Fish Evolution and Ecology

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Identify anatomical structures in fishes and use multiple techniques to collect morphometric data linked to feeding, locomotion and reproduction in diverse habitats.
• Summarise how geological and climatic events in Earth's history have influenced the diversification of fishes.
• Understand and interpret patterns in the evolution of major fish lineages using phylogenetic frameworks.
• Distinguish major taxonomic groups of fishes and appreciate their diversity and roles in ecosystem processes.
• Select appropriate field and analytical techniques to study fish communities according to habitat type and research goal.

The module will begin by exploring the different groups of fishes: the jawless, cartilaginous, and lobe-finned fishes, through to the diversification of modern fish species. We will focus on major geological and climatic events, alongside critical anatomical developments such as the origin of jaws, and the evolution of fins, that led to explosive radiations in vertebrate biodiversity.

The module will then cover topics related to the ecology and function of fishes, examining how fishes interact with each other and their environment. We will evaluate the various techniques that can be applied to study fishes, including molecular biology and field and lab-based studies and use this understanding to assess local fish communities.

Teaching and learning methods

This module will use a combination of lectures, lab-based practicals, tutorials and fieldwork. Formal lectures (24h) are used to deliver and discuss factual content covering all learning objectives and helping to build an appreciation of the diversity and evolutionary history of fishes.

All module content will be supported by online materials arranged into lessons that coincide with the lecture slots. Online materials cover the core factual content and provide links to external literature and resources. Lectures are used to expand on the online content.

The practical classes and workshops (27 hrs) are designed to offer hands-on experience with specimens and opportunities to expand on concepts covered in lessons. Practicals will develop transferrable skills, including interpreting and building phylogenetic trees, fish dissection and morphological analyses, safe handling of museum specimens, and collection and analysis of data from digital repositories.

Field trips will 1) provide opportunities to directly explore the evolutionary history of fishes through the palaeontology and ichthyology specimens and 2) compare techniques for studying fish communities and offer hands-on opportunities to develop fish identification and survey skills.

A wide range of support can be provided for those students who have further or specific learning and teaching needs.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Other resources. PDFs and/or links to key papers, book chapters and open-source software will be provided on the module's websites.

Internet Resources

3D Slicer.

Textbooks

Zerina Johanson, Charlie Underwood, Martha Richter (2019). Evolution and Development of Fishes. Cambridge University Press.

Douglas E. Facey, Brian W. Bowen, Gene S. Helfman, Bruce B. Collette (2022). The Diversity of Fishes Biology, Evolution and Ecology. Wiley.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: External