TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MOMBASA.

BSB/121J/2022.

DENIS MIDAMBO.

DEPARTMENT OF PURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES..

AAB 4125 GENERAL ZOOLOGY.

SURVEY OF VERTEBRATES AND INVERTEBRATES AT TECHNICAL

UNIVERSITY OF MOMBASA.
VERTEBRATES.
PRACTICAL : SURVEY OF THE VERTEBRATE FAUNA AT THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
OF MOMBASA.

INTRODUCTION.
Vertebrates are any chordate animal of the subphylum Vertebrata, characterized by a bony or
cartilaginous skeleton and a well-developed brain.
Comprises of seven classes
-Class Aves.
-Class Reptilia.
-Class Agnatha.
-Class Amphibia.
-Class Mammalia.
-Class Osteichthyes.
-Class Chondrichthyes.

AIM.
The aim of the survey was to provide a baseline of information on the importance of vertebrate
classes found within the Technical University of Mombasa.

METHODOLOGY.
Sampling sites.
We visited as many habitats as possible on the selected two areas of the university i.e. the Main
Campus and the Mazurui Campus.
Sampling procedure.
We made observations of vertebrates in the area of study, took pictures of some vertebrates
with our smartphones for further study.

IDENTIFICATION.

-Dove (Class aves)

They include all the birds.
•Warm-blooded animals.
•Their forelimbs are modified into wings.
•They have well-developed flight muscles that help during the flight.
•Their hind limbs are adapted for walking, hopping, perching, grasping, wading and swimming.
•There are epidermal scales on their legs.
-monkey (Class Mammalia)
•Warm-blooded.
•Possess hair which is made of keratin
•Four chambered hearts.
•Mammary glands are used to produce milk to nourish their young. ...
•The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.
•Have fur or hair

-Lizard (Class Reptilia)

•Reptiles are vertebrates. They have backbones.
•Their bodies are completely covered with scales.
•They are cold-blooded.
•Reptiles produce shelled eggs or bear live young.
•All species fertilize eggs internally.
•All species of reptiles have at least one lung.

-Toad (Class Amphibia)

•have a backbone
•Need a moist place to live
•Can breathe air through their skin
•Externally fertilize their eggs.
•These can live both on land and in water.
•They are ectothermic animals, found in a warm environment.
•Their body is divided into head and trunk
•The skin is smooth and rough without any scales, but with glands that make it moist.

Lamprey fish (Class Agnatha) jawless fish

•Jaws are absent.
•Paired fins are generally absent.
•Early species had heavy bony scales and plates in their skin, but these are not present in living
species.
•In most cases the skeleton is cartilaginous.
•The embryonic notochord persists in the adult.
•Seven or more paired gill pouches are present.

-Shark (Class Chondrichthyes) cartilaginous fishes

•Presence of a cartilaginous endoskeleton.
•The mouth is placed ventrally.
•The notochord exists throughout life.
•The operculum does not cover the gills.
•The absence of an air bladder.
-Tilapia (Class Osteichthyes) Bony fishes
•Skeleton is more or less bony, vertebrae numerous.
•Skin with mucous glands and embedded dermal scales.
•some without scales.
•Paired fins.
•Mouth with many teeth (some toothless).
jaws present.
•Respiration by gills supported by bony gill arches and covered by an operculum.

APPLICATION.
Advantages.
Vertebrate animals represent a diverse and ecologically important component of all life on earth.
They contribute to the vast majority of the described biodiversity on our planet.
Some vertebrates eg birds aid in pollination.
Some vertebrates eg human aid in seed dispersal.
Predators feed on prey balancing the ecosystem.
Some vertebrates eg cattle are food to human.
Some vertebrates eg dogs are used for protection.
Some vertebrates eg camels are used for transportation.

Disadvantages.
Some vertebrates eg elephants ca cause destruction of property.
Some vertebrates eg lion pose danger to human.
Some vertebrates eg human can lead to deforestation.

REFERENCE.
Modern Text Book of Zoology: Vertebrates
Book by Kotpal R