Students

BIOL316 – Invertebrates: Evolution, Behaviour and Diversity

2014 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Other Staff
Lara Ainley
Contact via lara.ainley@mq.edu.au
Other Staff
Lesley Hughes
Contact via lesley.hughes@mq.edu.au
Unit Convenor
Katherine McClellan
Contact via katherine.mcclellan@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp including BIOL208(P)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit explores the fascinating world of invertebrate animals. The unit starts by briefly outlining the features of the major groups of invertebrate animals (excluding unicellular organisms). Once this is established, we move away from a taxonomic focus to discuss major topics including: mating systems, communication, host-parasite relationships, predator-prey interactions, biological control, climate change, and conservation. These major topics draw on examples from research papers on various groups of invertebrates. This unit is suitable for students who are interested in whole animal biology or biological education, or for students who are interested in further research.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Assign key invertebrate species to their major taxonomic classifications
  • Apply various field methods for sampling invertebrates
  • Identify behavioral and life history strategies of invertebrates that have contributed to their success in adapting to diverse habitats
  • Identify and interpret invertebrate behaviours relevant to interactions at species and community levels
  • Generate hypotheses and design experiments to test hypotheses
  • Analyse data using basic statistical techniques
  • Prepare experimental findings for publication and/or communication to diverse audiences including the scientific community and the general public

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Prac tasks completion 10% TBA
Taxonomic Key 15% 10/4/2014
Spider Poster 10% 15/5/2014
Scientific Journal Article 15% 1/5/2014 or 5/6/2014
Mid-term test 10% 1/5/2014
Final exam 40% TBA

Prac tasks completion

Due: TBA
Weighting: 10%

In class tasks associated with the practicals must be completed and shown to tutors before leaving the labs. Tasks may be assessed in terms of accuracy/correctness and/or completeness. Further details of the tasks will be given in the associated practical classes.

 



On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Assign key invertebrate species to their major taxonomic classifications
  • Apply various field methods for sampling invertebrates
  • Identify behavioral and life history strategies of invertebrates that have contributed to their success in adapting to diverse habitats
  • Identify and interpret invertebrate behaviours relevant to interactions at species and community levels
  • Generate hypotheses and design experiments to test hypotheses
  • Analyse data using basic statistical techniques
  • Prepare experimental findings for publication and/or communication to diverse audiences including the scientific community and the general public

Taxonomic Key

Due: 10/4/2014
Weighting: 15%

Students will develop their own dichotomous / taxonomic key based on lab specimens. Accurate scientific drawings of the organisms along with short (100 words max) descriptions of their natural history will be provided as references for the taxonomic key.

 



On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Assign key invertebrate species to their major taxonomic classifications
  • Identify behavioral and life history strategies of invertebrates that have contributed to their success in adapting to diverse habitats

Spider Poster

Due: 15/5/2014
Weighting: 10%

Students will prepare and submit Posters designed to effectively communicate their findings to an audience of non-biologists. The content of the posters will be based on the results of a class experiment which tests the intra-specific interactions of leaf curling spiders. Effective posters will consider a boarder ecological perspective than the study organisms by placing the results of the experiments in to both behavioural and ecological contexts. Details and expectations of the report will be provided in class and online.

 



On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify behavioral and life history strategies of invertebrates that have contributed to their success in adapting to diverse habitats
  • Identify and interpret invertebrate behaviours relevant to interactions at species and community levels
  • Generate hypotheses and design experiments to test hypotheses
  • Analyse data using basic statistical techniques
  • Prepare experimental findings for publication and/or communication to diverse audiences including the scientific community and the general public

Scientific Journal Article

Due: 1/5/2014 or 5/6/2014
Weighting: 15%

Students will complete a written scientific report (1300-1500 words, excluding references) based on a field-based survey of either terrestrial or aquatic habitats. Invertebrates will be collected from different habitats during class time. Students will be expected to identify the invertebrates collected and report on the diversity found. The report will follow the standard format for a scientific report article, i.e., it will have a short abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results and discussion sections and it will be appropriately referenced. Further details of the assignment requirements will be given in class or online.

 



On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Assign key invertebrate species to their major taxonomic classifications
  • Apply various field methods for sampling invertebrates
  • Identify behavioral and life history strategies of invertebrates that have contributed to their success in adapting to diverse habitats
  • Generate hypotheses and design experiments to test hypotheses
  • Analyse data using basic statistical techniques
  • Prepare experimental findings for publication and/or communication to diverse audiences including the scientific community and the general public

Mid-term test

Due: 1/5/2014
Weighting: 10%

A test on knowledge of course content up to and including wk 6.

 



On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Assign key invertebrate species to their major taxonomic classifications
  • Apply various field methods for sampling invertebrates
  • Identify behavioral and life history strategies of invertebrates that have contributed to their success in adapting to diverse habitats
  • Identify and interpret invertebrate behaviours relevant to interactions at species and community levels

Final exam

Due: TBA
Weighting: 40%

A test on knowledge of course content up to and including wk 13.

 



On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Assign key invertebrate species to their major taxonomic classifications
  • Apply various field methods for sampling invertebrates
  • Identify behavioral and life history strategies of invertebrates that have contributed to their success in adapting to diverse habitats
  • Identify and interpret invertebrate behaviours relevant to interactions at species and community levels
  • Generate hypotheses and design experiments to test hypotheses

Delivery and Resources

CLASSES

Timetable

Lecture 1 Wednesday 4-5 pm W5C 320
Lecture 2 Wednesday 5-6 pm W5C 320
Practical session Thursdays 2-5 pm E8A 160 & 120
On campus session 1 March 8th and 9th 9-5 pm E8A 160 & 120
On campus session 2 May 10th and 11th 9-5 pm E8A 160 & 120

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS

Required unit materials

The work carried out during practical classes is an important and integral part of the course.

You need a practical notebook that you will use to record data and observations from field and laboratory classes. We recommend you use an A4 bound botany notebook (alternating lined and unlined pages). Loose pages are not suitable.

You will need enclosed shoes for every practical class in accordance with standard laboratory safety procedures. Without which you will not be allowed entry to the laboratory.

Recommended readings

We have not nominated a textbook for this course. There are a number of books (also available in the library) that cover various aspects of BIOL316:

  • Pechenik, J.A. Biology of the invertebrates. 6th ed. Boston, Mass.: McGraw-Hill, 2010.
  • Anderson, D.T. (Ed). Invertebrate zoology. 2nd ed. South Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford University Press, 2001
  • Moore, J. Introduction to the invertebrates. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001.
  • Romoser, W.S. & Stoffolano, J.G. The science of entomology. 4th ed. Boston, Mass.: WCB McGraw-Hill, 1998.
  • Choe, J.C. & Crespi, B.J. (Eds). The evolution of mating systems in insects and arachnids. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press, 1997.
  • Herrera, C.M. & Pellmyr, O. Plant-animal interactions: an evolutionary approach. Oxford: Blackwell Science, 2002.

UNIT WEBPAGE AND TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

Website

Lecture graphics and iLectures will be available on iLearn http://ilearn@mq.edu.au iLearn is a web-based computer mediated communication package and can be accessed by most web browsers from inside or outside the University. iLearn and email will be the principle method of communication in this subject.

We expect you to use iLearn to:

  • Regularly check subject announcements
  • Download lecture materials
  • Download laboratory materials
  • Download reference materials
  • Check your grades

How do you log in? The URL for the iLearn log in page is: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. You will need to log in to iLearn each time you use it. Your user name is your student number. If you are having trouble accessing your online unit due to a disability or health condition, please go to the Student Services Website at http://sss.mq.edu.au/equity/about for information on how to get assistance. If you cannot log in after ensuring you have entered your username and password correctly, you should contact Student IT Help, Phone: (02) 9850 4357 (in Sydney) or 1 800 063 191 (outside Sydney).

Unit Schedule

Timetable

Lecture 1                        Wednesday        4-5 pm        E6A 102

Lecture 2                        Wednesday        5-6 pm        E6A 102

Practical sessions         Thursday            2-5 pm        E8A 160 & 120

 

On campus session 1   March 8-9th       9-5pm          E8A 160

On campus session 2   May 10-11th       9-5pm          E8A 160

 

Lecture topics*

Week

Date

Number

Topic

Lecturer

1

05/03/14

1

Introduction

Kath McClellan

 

05/03/14

2

Taxonomy and phylogenetics

Michelle Power

2

12/03/14

3

Invertebrate diversity I

Kath McClellan

 

12/03/14

4

Invertebrate diversity II

Kath McClellan

3

19/03/14

5

Invertebrate diversity III

Kath McClellan

 

19/03/14

6

Invertebrate diversity IV

Kath McClellan

4

26/03/14

7

Reproduction and mating I

Mariella Herberstein

 

26/03/14

8

Reproduction and mating II

Mariella Herberstein

5

02/04/14

9

Invertebrate interactions I  

Lesley Hughes

 

02/04/14

10

Invertebrate evolution and radiation

DVD

6

09/04/14

11

Invertebrate interactions II

Lesley Hughes

 

09/04/14

12

Invertebrate Interactions III

Lesley Hughes

 

 

 

Mid-semester break

 

7

30/04/14

13

Invertebrate immune responses

David Raftos

 

30/04/14

14

Responses to environmental stress

David Raftos

8

07/05/14

15

Sociality

Lesley Hughes

 

07/05/14

16

Foraging

Michelle Power

9

14/05/14

17

Freshwater invertebrates

Grant Hose

 

14/05/14

18

Invertebrates as environmental indicators

Grant Hose

10

21/05/14

19

Communication I

Kath McClellan

 

21/05/14

20

Communication II

Kath McClellan

11

28/05/14

21

Invertebrates & climate change

Lesley Hughes

 

28/05/14

22

Conservation issues

Lesley Hughes

12

04/06/14

23

Biological control

Phil Taylor

 

04/06/14

24

Exam outline and revision

Kath McClellan

 

 

Practical sessions

Week

Class date

Prac

Activity

Prac task

Assessment

1

06/03/14 or 07/03/14

No prac

No prac

 

 

2

13/03/14 or 14/03/14

Prac 1

Phylogenetics

Prac Task 1

 

3

20/03/14 or 21/03/14

Prac 2

Invertebrate diversity I – garden collection

Prac Task 2

 

4

27/03/14 or 28/03/14

Prac 3

Invertebrate diversity II – taxonomic key

 

Taxonomic Key

 

5

03/04/14 or 04/04/14

Prac 4

Invertebrate interactionsHerbivory diversity

(set up Pit Fall Traps)

Prac Task 3

 

6

10/04/14 or 11/04/14

Prac 5

Invertebrate diversity III – Pitfall trapping

Prac Task 4

Scientific Journal Article

choice 1

 

 

 

Mid-semester break

 

 

7

01/05/14 or 02/05/14

Prac 6

Spider behaviour

Prac Task 5

Mid-term test

&

Poster

8

08/05/14 or 09/05/14

Prac 7

Diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates I

 

 

9

15/05/14 or 16/05/14

Prac 8

Diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates II & analysis

Prac Task 6

Scientific Journal Article

choice 2

 

10

22/05/14 or 23/05/14

Prac 9

Earthworm habitat preferences I

 

 

11

29/05/14 or 30/05/14

Prac 10

Earthworm habitat preferences II

Prac Task 7

 

 

On campus session 1 (March 8-9th): Pracs 1-5: Phylogenetics, Invertebrate Diversity I, II (Taxanomic Key) & III (Written report choice 1), and, Invertebrate interactions

On campus session 2 (May 10-11th): Pracs 6-9, Behavioural interactions of spiders (Spider Poster), Diversity of benthic ecosystems (Written report choice 2), Habitat selection by earthworms, and  mid-semester test

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Assign key invertebrate species to their major taxonomic classifications
  • Apply various field methods for sampling invertebrates
  • Identify and interpret invertebrate behaviours relevant to interactions at species and community levels
  • Generate hypotheses and design experiments to test hypotheses

Assessment tasks

  • Prac tasks completion
  • Taxonomic Key
  • Spider Poster
  • Scientific Journal Article

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Assign key invertebrate species to their major taxonomic classifications
  • Apply various field methods for sampling invertebrates
  • Identify and interpret invertebrate behaviours relevant to interactions at species and community levels
  • Prepare experimental findings for publication and/or communication to diverse audiences including the scientific community and the general public

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Assign key invertebrate species to their major taxonomic classifications
  • Apply various field methods for sampling invertebrates
  • Identify behavioral and life history strategies of invertebrates that have contributed to their success in adapting to diverse habitats
  • Identify and interpret invertebrate behaviours relevant to interactions at species and community levels
  • Generate hypotheses and design experiments to test hypotheses
  • Analyse data using basic statistical techniques

Assessment tasks

  • Prac tasks completion
  • Taxonomic Key
  • Spider Poster
  • Scientific Journal Article
  • Mid-term test
  • Final exam

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Assign key invertebrate species to their major taxonomic classifications
  • Apply various field methods for sampling invertebrates
  • Identify behavioral and life history strategies of invertebrates that have contributed to their success in adapting to diverse habitats
  • Identify and interpret invertebrate behaviours relevant to interactions at species and community levels
  • Generate hypotheses and design experiments to test hypotheses
  • Analyse data using basic statistical techniques

Assessment tasks

  • Prac tasks completion
  • Taxonomic Key
  • Spider Poster
  • Scientific Journal Article
  • Mid-term test
  • Final exam

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Assign key invertebrate species to their major taxonomic classifications
  • Apply various field methods for sampling invertebrates
  • Identify and interpret invertebrate behaviours relevant to interactions at species and community levels
  • Generate hypotheses and design experiments to test hypotheses
  • Prepare experimental findings for publication and/or communication to diverse audiences including the scientific community and the general public

Assessment tasks

  • Prac tasks completion
  • Taxonomic Key
  • Spider Poster
  • Scientific Journal Article

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Apply various field methods for sampling invertebrates
  • Generate hypotheses and design experiments to test hypotheses

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Prepare experimental findings for publication and/or communication to diverse audiences including the scientific community and the general public

Assessment tasks

  • Prac tasks completion
  • Taxonomic Key
  • Spider Poster
  • Scientific Journal Article
  • Final exam

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Prepare experimental findings for publication and/or communication to diverse audiences including the scientific community and the general public

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Apply various field methods for sampling invertebrates
  • Generate hypotheses and design experiments to test hypotheses
  • Prepare experimental findings for publication and/or communication to diverse audiences including the scientific community and the general public

Assessment tasks

  • Prac tasks completion
  • Scientific Journal Article

Changes since First Published

Date Description
25/02/2014 Location of lectures and lacturers