BIOL214W1:
Invertebrate Diversity and Ecology
School of Life Sciences
Module lecturers
Dr Phikolomzi Matikinca
email: MatikincaP@ukzn.ac.za
Dr Nicola Carrasco (Module Coordinator)
email: Carrasco@ukzn.ac.za
Assessment (To Be Confirmed…)
• 2 x Tests on lecture material (20%, each count half)
• Practical reports and assignments (30%)
• Exams (50% of module mark)
Duly Performed requirements (REMOVE?)
• Attendance: 80% of practical classes,
• Doctor's certificate to module co-ordinator if a practical or tutorial is missed
through illness.
• Performance: minimum of 40% in class work
NB! Failure to meet above DP requirements will mean permission is not
granted to write the final examination
• Subminimum: 40% in the final exam must be obtained in order to obtain an
overall pass mark.
Lecturer checks SMS for previous offence
Plagiarism 1st
Offence
2nd
Offence
Exceeds
Minor Minor First
1st Offence
Offence
Lecturer advises student of rights,
Lecturer explains
responsibilities & consequences. Details
offence to student
entered on SMS. Student Admits or Denies.
Provides Educative Refer to procedures for Level 3, 4 & PG
Response If student admits If student denies Exceeds Minor First Offence
(see FIGURE 2)
Do NOT enter on Retain the work
SMS
Issue written warning
Allow resubmission of
work
If resubmitted, award If not resubmitted,
new mark award 0%
Enter outcome on SMS
Please elect
Class Representative
via MOODLE
Prescribed and recommended books
*Brusca RC, Moore W, Shuster SM (2003) Invertebrates,
3rd ed., Sinauer Associates, Inc. [OR Brusca & Brusca 2nd
ed.]
*Ruppert EE, Fox RS, Barnes RD (2004) Invertebrate Zoology: A
Functional Evolutionary Approach, 7th ed., Thomson
Brooks/Cole
*Moore JM (2006) An introduction to the invertebrates, 2nd ed
* Thain M, Hickman M (2004) The Penguin Dictionary of Biology,
11th ed.,Penguin Books
Thurman HV, Trujillo AP (2004) Introductory Oceanography, 10th
ed.,Pearson,Prentice/Hall
Wilson, EO (2001) The Diversity of Life, Penguin Books
Module aim & learning objectives
To introduce the diversity and ecological significance of the dominant invertebrates in
marine and terrestrial habitats
Understand broadly how life is classified
- Tree of life, comparative biology, biological and phylogenetic classifications;
- Concepts such as monophyly and the various ways that we define species, as well as name them, using binomial
nomenclature
Taxonomic understanding and identification of major invertebrate groups
- From Domains and Kingdoms to the Protista and 35 other animal phyla,
- Characteristics of important Classes, Genera, and Species
Basics of major Phyla in terms of
- Anatomy, physiology, form and function
- Evolutionary relationships between and within phyla, adaptations
- Ecology of different groups; their habitats and modes of feeding, moving and reproducing
Tips for success and how to use these slides
• Essential to read assigned chapters before the lecture and follow up immediately
afterwards where you are unsure
• Reading from the prescribed textbook Brusca, Invertebrates 3rd edition is
emphasized by the indicated page number, like this on relevant slides
B&B 36-37
• Study and revise each week, from textbook and notes
• Don’t hesitate to email me with specific questions
• Test questions will be derived from both the textbook and lecture notes
Outline of introductory lectures
(1 to 3)
The tree of life and principles of
classification :
How do we classify organisms?
The tree of life: Kingdoms to species:
What features and characters define taxonomic
groups? How do we classify species
Linking diversity to habitat & ecology:
How does the evolution of body plans,
structure and function, relate to habitat and
ecology?
