Biology 4211: Mammalogy

Origin, relationship and structure of mammals. A survey of the families of living mammals: past and
present distribution of important groups. Special attention is given to Ontario forms.
Instructors, Time and Place
Office Hours Monday 1:30-5:30 Ph. 343-8686 or brian.mclaren@lakeheadu.ca
Lectures RB-2025 Monday & Thursday 8:30-10:00; Lab CB-3012 unless otherwise indicated; Tuesday
8:30-11:30 (Instructor Don Barnes)
Required Texts
The Eternal Frontier. 2004, by T. Flannery, Atlantic Monthly Press, New York.
Mammalogy: Adaptation, Diversity and Ecology. 2004 (3rd) edition, by Feldhamer, Drickamer, Vessey,
and Merritt, McGraw-Hill.
Mammals of the Great Lakes Region. 1995 (2nd) edition, by A. Kurta, University of Michigan Press, Ann
Arbor.
Optional: Searfoss, G. 1995. Skulls and bones. Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA.
Also remember the Tree of Life web project, http://tolweb.org/tree/phylogeny.html
Note on the texts: It is your responsibility to read the assigned portions of each text in a timely fashion.
Exams will test material not necessarily covered in lectures but from the text. To help you organize your
reading in the main text (Feldhamer et al.), focus on the words highlighted in bold type. When working
through Flannerys book, make use of a concept map (notes to follow the main concepts), and consult
chapters 4 and 26 in Feldhamer et al. for help with organizing ideas. The lecture portion of this course
emphasized concepts, while your practical experience comes from directed and independent work in
the lab sessions.
Note on lab portion: Latex gloves, lab coats, and proper (closed) footwear are expected for each lab.
These are available at a small cost either from the Biology undergraduate office (Lynn Ruxton) or from
the bookstore. Eye protection or eyeglasses are mandatory for all dissection work; you will be required
for dissecting labs to bring in your own dissection kit, or one you sign out from Lynn. There will be one
optional, but informative field trip to the International Wolf Centre, Ely Minnesota. It will be held on a
Friday and Saturday, March 3-4. Please sign up by paying $60 to Lynn by February 6.
Goals of the Course
1.
To understand the classification, structure, and natural history of mammals, including
physiological, behavioral, and ecological adaptations.
2.
To become familiar with field techniques and the distribution and identification of mammals,
especially those species found in the western Great Lakes.
Grading
LABORATORY PORTION:
Four reports each are to be turned in one week following the labs involving
(1) dissection (January 31 or February 7 four groups, two each week): 5%,
(2) snow tracking (February 17): 5%,
(3) wolf ethograms (March 7): 5%, and
(4) skull morphometrics (March 21): 5%.
Independent project, due February 28/06: 15%.
Lab quiz, March 28: 15%.

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Total 50%.
LECTURE PORTION:
Quiz on Flannery (February 6): 10%;
mid-term exam (February 16): 10%;
group presentation on an order of mammals (second part of the semester): 5%;
final exam (TBA): 25%.
Total 50%.
NOTE:-- Late reports will not be considered for grading.
-- The final exam will cover all components of the course including material covered on the
mid-term exam and material from Flannery.
Organization of the Course
Topic 1.

Topic 2.
Topic 3.
Topic 4.
Topic 5.
Topic 6.
Topic 7.
Topic 8.

Reasons to study mammals and techniques used to study mammals

Feldhamer, chapters 1 & 3; Lab: introduction to preparation of specimens and
dissections; N.B. this portion of lab work is an independent project that you will keep on
track during the first half of the semester; mammal snow tracking
Early evolution, shifting dominance from reptiles to mammals
Feldhamer, chapters 4, 10, 19 & 26; Flannery, Acts 1 & 2
Modern North American fauna and conservation issues
Feldhamer, chapters 28 & 29; Flannery, Acts 3, 4 & 5; Lab: introduction to boreal
mammals; N.B. this portion of the lab work leads to a portion of your practical exam
Evolution of endothermy
Feldhamer, chapter 8; Lab: dissections, LCA field trip.
Implications of body size and body shape
Feldhamer, chapters 5, 6 & 8; several supplemental readings; Lab: introduction to
morphometrics, LCA field trip.
Feeding and trophic relationships
Feldhamer, chapters 6 & 25; Lab: dissections.
Behaviour and sociality
Feldhamer, chapters 20, 21 & 22; Lab: ethogram analysis of wolf behaviour, followed by
a trip to the International Wolf Centre, Ely, Minnesota.
Population dynamics and life history
Feldhamer, chapters 23 & 24

In addition to these topics, student lecture presentations, maximum 20 minutes in length, will cover the
orders of mammals in Feldhamer et al., chapters 11-18. For each presentation, groups of three will
cover main characteristics for classifying the order together, and provide a detailed example of an
extirpated or contemporary North American member (family or species) of the order and an exotic
member of the order.
Note that in Feldhamer, chapters 7 (nervous system), 9 (reproduction), and 27 (parasites and disease)
are not listed as required reading. You may find, however, that reference to these sections helps your
understanding of the reading on mammalian classification or mammals of the Great Lakes. You are

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required to keep ahead in reading the sections of the text that apply each week during lectures, in order
to be able to participate in class discussions.
As part of the lab portion of the course student groups will undertake various independent projects:
1) Anatomical comparison between a herbivore and a carnivore
Six groups will each be responsible to for comparing the external and internal anatomy
of one of the following boreal herbivore-carnivore combinations:
Herbivores
Carnivores
--red squirrel
--ermine
--flying squirrel
--marten
--snowshoe hare
--lynx*
--beaver
--river otter*
--muskrat
--mink
--red squirrel
--fisher
NOTE: Each group consists of two students except those indicated by * ; total of 14
students.
: Student groups will produce a poster illustrating the differences between
herbivore and carnivore.
: part of the poster content should outline how the mammals anatomy aids in
maintaining fitness within the boreal landscape.
: Marks will be based on
accuracy of anatomical comparisons (5%)
effectiveness of the relationship between anatomy and fitness (5%)
and
poster quality (5%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2) Re-construction of a mammal skeleton
Five groups will each reconstruct a skeleton of one of the following mammals:
River otter
Marten
Fisher
Lynx
Red squirrel
Flying squirrel
Beaver
Muskrat
Ermine
Snowshoe hare
NOTE: Each group consists of four students, i.e. a total of 20 students.
: This option involves the construction of a platform designed to display the
skeleton in a free-standing pose.
: Marks will be based on
accuracy to bone assemblage (10)
effectiveness of holding platform to present an effective pose (3)
and
the overall appeal (2)

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: There will be one mark assigned per skeleton which be the mark for all
group members.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3) Preparation of a Study Skin
Four groups will each prepare 2 study skins of one of the following pairs of mammals:
Flying squirrel, red squirrel or small mammal
Ermine, red squirrel or small mammal
Muskrat, red squirrel or small mammal
Snowshoe hare, red squirrel or small mammal
NOTE: Each group consists of 2 students, i.e. a total of 8 students.
: This involves taking standard body measurement, labeling, and the
production of a stand up plaque which summarizes the basic life history
information for each of the mammals being processed.
: Marks will be based on
quality of study skin presentation (9)
accuracy and quality of specimen data cards and ID tags (2)
accuracy and quality of stand up plaque (3)
the overall appeal of whole presentation (1)
: There will be one mark assigned per skeleton which be the mark for all
group members.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NOTE: These independent projects will be displayed at the Northwestern region trappers convention in
March. The due date is February 28, 2006

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DETAILED COURSE OUTLINE
Week 1: January 3-5: Approaches & Techniques
Lab (Jan. 3):
(CB 3012)

Lecture:

Introduction to the laboratory portion of the group with special attention

given to the independent projects: Students will be introduced to the three
independent project options --- preparation of a skeleton mount, preparation of
study skins, and the poster display.
NOTE:
Students will be expected to decide on an option and indicate their
choice on a list which will be posted by my office door (Braun
Building BB-1007B). Sign up must be done before the next lab
session.
Student groups are expected to complete their project independently,
i.e. on your own time. For those doing the reconstruction of a
mammal skeleton, space will be allocated in the Fish and Wildlife Lab
(Braun Building BB-1006B and BB-1006C). Students doing study
skins will have to make arrangement to do this exercise in one of the
biology lab room. For the poster, the onus will be on groups to
organize space to work on the five components. The dissections can
be performed at the CNFER Necropsy Lab with enough advanced
notice. See me (Don Barnes) for booking this laboratory.
Remember the due date is Feb. 28, because these will be part of a
Mammalogy booth to be set up at the Annual Trappers Convention in
March/06.
Feldhamer, chapter 1 & 3. Approach and techniques to studying mammals.
Flannery: preliminary concept map and assigned readings.
Week 2: January 9-12: Early Evolution

Lab (Jan. 10):

Lectures:

Set up for independent projects:

For those students who have chosen to work on study skins, please meet
in CB 3012. During the lab, instructors will walk students through their
first study skins, i.e. a practice one. Step-by-step instructions can be found
in the text by Kurta entitled Mammals of the Great Lakes Region.
Those student working on the poster, please meet in CB 3012. The group
members should use this lab time to co-ordinate the 5 activities, i.e. who is
going to do what.
Students working on skeleton mounts will meet in BB 1006. Further
instruction and guidance will be given pertaining to digestion and how to
proceed. Supplies will be made available
Flannery, Act 1; Feldhamer et al. chapter 4. Emphasis on relationships between
reptiles and early mammals. Feldhamer et al. chapter 3. Emphasis on
understanding cladograms and phylogenetic trees. Feldhamer et al. chapter 26.
Emphasis on faunal regions.

Week 3: January 16-19: North American Fauna I

Lab (Jan. 17):
(CB 3012)

Lectures:

Introduction to boreal mammals: A slide show with commentary

about the natural history of Great Lakes mammals. Study skins and fur pelts will
be introduced to students; working out identifications with a key will be
required for 6 study skins. The identifications of mammals from study skins
will form a component of the lab quiz. Please show evidence of your keying to
one of the instructors before leaving.
NOTE: Please bring your copy of Mammals of the Great Lakes Region, as a
mammal key is included in this text. As a result, copies of the key
will not be provided as a handout to this lab.
Flannery, Acts 2 & 3. Emphasis on faunal exchanges and climate changes.
Feldhamer et al. chapter 19. Special case of evolution of the ungulates.
Week 4: January 23-26: North American Fauna II

Lab (Jan. 24):

Dissections at CNFER Necropsy Lab ( the class) / Work on Independent

projects or practice keying out mammals (other of class):
Students will be divided into four groups. Since the necropsy lab at CNFER is
relatively small, this dissection lab will be repeated next week.
The first group of 11 12 students will begin their dissections at 8:30 am
and end by 9:30am. At four stations, students will be asked to dissect a
carnivore -- lynx, fisher, otter, marten, or red fox and a herbivore red
squirrel, flying squirrel, muskrat, or snowshoe hare. At From 9:30 to 9:45,
students will be prepare a short presentation (a few minutes) to explain to
the rest of the students.
The second group should be prepared to start their dissections by 10 am.
The procedure will be the same as the first group with a termination time
at 11:15 am.
ASSIGNMENT (Due January 31/06): Detailed laboratory notes must
have kept during this session and presented as a brief report.
Groups will be reversed on January 31.

Lectures:

Flannery, Acts 4 & 5; Feldhamer et al. chapters 28 & 29. Emphasis on humanmammal relationships and conservation.
Week 5: January 30-February 2: Endothermy

Lab (Jan. 30):

Dissections at CNFER Necropsy Lab ( the class) / Work on Independent

projects or practice keying out mammals (other of class):
Those two groups of students who did not participate in last weeks dissections
are expected to do these dissections this week. Same procedure as outlined in the
previous laboratory session will be followed for this laboratory session.

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Lectures:

Flannery: review. Feldhamer et al. chapter 8. Emphasis on adaptations to cold.

Introduction to body size and shapes.
Week 6: February 6-9: Body Size

Lab (Feb. 7):

Subject
to cancellation

Field trip (weather dependent) meeting at staff parking lot near greenhouse:
Millers Block, Lakehead Conservation Authority. Snow characteristics, mammal
adaptations, and mammal sign. Alternate date February 14. Notes from the field
trip will be due on February 17. Lab assignment due: dissection notes from the
second group. Please drop in Don Barnes mail slot or bring to class February 6.
Quiz on Flannery (February 6). Feldhamer et al. chapters 5 & 8. Supplemental
readings. Emphasis on allometric relationships in mammals.

Lectures:

Lab (Feb. 14):

Lectures:

Week 7: February 13-16: Body Shape

Field trip (alternate date) meeting at staff parking lot near greenhouse:
Millers Block, Lakehead Conservation Authority. Lab assignments due: notes
from the field trip will be due. Please drop to Don Barnes on or before this date.
Feldhamer et al. chapters 6 & 8. Emphasis on energetics, including feeding and
dentition. All material except Flannery, up to what is presented February 13, will
be on the mid-term exam. Mid-term exam (February 16).
STUDY BREAK (February 20-24)
Week 8: February 27-March 4: Behaviour and Sociality I

Lab (Feb. 28):

(LI 0002)

Wolf ethograms: Students will work in pairs to study wolf behaviour from short
video clips, with an analytical question drawn from a list of potential hypotheses.
Videos of wolf behaviour will be made available to student pairs. In LI 0002,
there will be an opportunity for students to view behaviours and make a start of
the behaviour assignment.
Field Trip(Mar. 3-4): This lab can be undertaken from real wolf observations at the International Wolf
Centre for students choosing to take this field trip to Ely, Minnesota. We will
leave for Ely from the staff parking lot near the greenhouse at approximately 2:00
pm on Friday, March 3 and returning late on Saturday evening to Thunder Bay.
Saturday will also potentially include visiting a recent wolf kill via radio tracking.
Snowshoes are required for this activity. The ethogram and its interpretation
will be due as notes from each student on March 14.
Lectures:
Feldhamer et al. chapters 20 & 21. Emphasis on communication, social status and
sexual selection. Group presentations.
Week 9: March 6-9: Behaviour and Sociality II
No Lab.
Lectures:

Please complete your wolf study.

Feldhamer et al. chapters 20 & 22. Emphasis on communication, group living
and group selection. Group presentations.

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Week 10: March 13-16: Population Dynamics and Life History I
Lab (Mar. 14):

Lectures:

Skull morphometrics: Skulls will be measured with analytical questions that will
help students understand multivariate approaches to measuring body size and
shape. Notes in the form of answers to the questions will be due on Mar. 21. Lab
assignment due: wolf ethograms and interpretation.
Feldhamer et al. chapters 6, 24 & 25. Emphasis on trophic relationships,
population growth and regulation. Group presentations.
Week 11: March 20-23: Population Dynamics and Life History II

No Lab.
(Review)
Lectures:

Please prepare yourself for the quiz next week with the key in Kurta on study
skins and skulls. We will be available on March 21 in CB 3012 to assist you in
your review. Lab assignment due: skull morphometrics. Bring your answers to
the questions to class on March 20 or to CB 3012 on March 21.
Feldhamer et al. chapters 24 & 25. Emphasis on variations in life history. Guest
lecture by Dr Doug Morris. Group presentations.
Week 12: March 27-30: Population Dynamics and Life History III

Lab (Mar. 28):

Lectures:

Lab Quiz (15%): Students will be tested on all practical components introduced
during the course:
Keying out skulls and study skins and demonstrating your use of the key
in Kurta will be one component of the quiz.
Identification of bones and anatomy will be a second component.
Field identification of mammals from photographs and
behaviour description from video will be a third component.
In each component, you will also be tested on basic life history
information, as presented in Kurta. Great Lakes and boreal mammals
only.
Feldhamer et al. chapters 24 & 25. Emphasis on ecological communities.
Group presentations. Review of the course.