Hand-in one copy on paper and one copy as an attached file in email to Dr. Kavanaugh. You must put in your Subject Line of the email: “Anatomy Lab Homework 1”.
Sources
Use the atlas and textbook for background reading. The information that will help you is scattered across several chapters – so you need to use the index to track down what you need.
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Assignment
Write an essay describing the biology of the shark with reference to its anatomy compared to other fish, including the agnathans (such as the lamprey). Use the following questions and points as a guide:
1. Give a brief overview of the evolution of fish.
2. What major phylogenetic group of fish does the shark belong to? When did this group appear in evolutionary history?
3. What major anatomical features distinguish the shark from the agnathans, such as lamprey?
4. What does it mean when we say that sharks are examples of chondrichthyan fish?
5. Are these fish completely devoid of bone-like materials? Explain your answer.
6. Unlike modern fish, sharks have no swim bladders - so how do they stop themselves from constantly sinking to the bottom of the ocean? What advantages does the swim bladder bring to other fish?
7. How do sharks reproduce?
8. Briefly describe some of the ways the shark is able to detect its prey in the water. Emphasize the ways sharks rely on senses other than vision.
9. What is the full taxonomic name and “popular name” of the shark that we will be examining in the lab?
10. How does the shark we will examine in the lab differ from other sharks?
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