Zoology (Animal Biology)

  1. Survey of the Animal Kingdom: Vertebrates (Phylum Chordata)
    1. Characteristics of Chordates
      1. Notochord
        1. Structural Support
          1. Developmental Significance
          2. Dorsal Hollow Nerve Cord
            1. Neural Tube Formation
              1. Central Nervous System
              2. Pharyngeal Slits
                1. Gill Function
                  1. Evolutionary Modifications
                  2. Post-Anal Tail
                    1. Locomotory Function
                      1. Developmental Fate
                      2. Endostyle or Thyroid Gland
                        1. Metabolic Functions
                          1. Evolutionary Transition
                        2. Subphylum Cephalochordata (Lancelets)
                          1. Body Structure
                            1. Amphioxus Anatomy
                              1. Chordate Features
                              2. Feeding and Locomotion
                                1. Filter Feeding
                                  1. Swimming Behavior
                                  2. Evolutionary Significance
                                  3. Subphylum Urochordata (Tunicates)
                                    1. Larval and Adult Forms
                                      1. Tadpole Larvae
                                        1. Sessile Adults
                                        2. Filter Feeding
                                          1. Pharyngeal Basket
                                            1. Water Circulation
                                            2. Colonial Forms
                                              1. Life Cycle Complexity
                                              2. Subphylum Vertebrata (Craniata)
                                                1. Vertebral Column
                                                  1. Vertebrae Structure
                                                    1. Spinal Cord Protection
                                                    2. Cranium and Brain
                                                      1. Skull Formation
                                                        1. Brain Development
                                                        2. Jawless Fishes (Agnatha)
                                                          1. Hagfishes
                                                            1. Feeding Mechanisms
                                                              1. Slime Production
                                                              2. Lampreys
                                                                1. Parasitic Lifestyle
                                                                  1. Metamorphosis
                                                                  2. Evolutionary Position
                                                                  3. Jawed Vertebrates (Gnathostomata)
                                                                    1. Evolution of Jaws
                                                                      1. Gill Arch Modification
                                                                        1. Feeding Advantages
                                                                        2. Class Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fishes)
                                                                          1. Cartilaginous Skeleton
                                                                            1. Sharks
                                                                              1. Body Form
                                                                                1. Sensory Systems
                                                                                  1. Reproduction
                                                                                  2. Rays
                                                                                    1. Flattened Body Plan
                                                                                      1. Bottom-Dwelling Adaptations
                                                                                      2. Chimaeras
                                                                                      3. Superclass Osteichthyes (Bony Fishes)
                                                                                        1. Bony Skeleton
                                                                                          1. Swim Bladder
                                                                                            1. Ray-Finned Fishes
                                                                                              1. Fin Structure
                                                                                                1. Diversity
                                                                                                2. Lobe-Finned Fishes
                                                                                                  1. Muscular Fins
                                                                                                    1. Tetrapod Ancestors
                                                                                                3. The Tetrapods
                                                                                                  1. Adaptations for Terrestrial Life
                                                                                                    1. Limb Development
                                                                                                      1. Lung Breathing
                                                                                                        1. Skin Modifications
                                                                                                        2. Class Amphibia (Amphibians)
                                                                                                          1. Dual Life Cycle
                                                                                                            1. Skin Respiration
                                                                                                              1. Frogs
                                                                                                                1. Jumping Adaptations
                                                                                                                  1. Vocal Communication
                                                                                                                  2. Salamanders
                                                                                                                    1. Tail Retention
                                                                                                                      1. Regeneration
                                                                                                                      2. Caecilians
                                                                                                                        1. Limbless Body
                                                                                                                          1. Burrowing Lifestyle
                                                                                                                        2. The Amniotes
                                                                                                                          1. Amniotic Egg
                                                                                                                            1. Extraembryonic Membranes
                                                                                                                              1. Terrestrial Reproduction
                                                                                                                              2. Class Reptilia (Reptiles)
                                                                                                                                1. Scaly Skin
                                                                                                                                  1. Ectothermic Metabolism
                                                                                                                                    1. Turtles
                                                                                                                                      1. Shell Structure
                                                                                                                                        1. Retractable Head
                                                                                                                                        2. Lizards
                                                                                                                                          1. Limbed Body Plan
                                                                                                                                            1. Tail Autotomy
                                                                                                                                            2. Snakes
                                                                                                                                              1. Limbless Locomotion
                                                                                                                                                1. Venom Systems
                                                                                                                                                2. Crocodilians
                                                                                                                                                  1. Semi-Aquatic Adaptations
                                                                                                                                                    1. Parental Care
                                                                                                                                                  2. Class Aves (Birds)
                                                                                                                                                    1. Feathers and Flight
                                                                                                                                                      1. Feather Types
                                                                                                                                                        1. Wing Structure
                                                                                                                                                          1. Flight Mechanics
                                                                                                                                                          2. Endothermy
                                                                                                                                                            1. Temperature Regulation
                                                                                                                                                              1. Metabolic Rates
                                                                                                                                                              2. Respiratory System
                                                                                                                                                                1. Reproductive Behavior
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Migration Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                  2. Class Mammalia (Mammals)
                                                                                                                                                                    1. Hair and Mammary Glands
                                                                                                                                                                      1. Insulation Functions
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Milk Production
                                                                                                                                                                        2. Endothermic Metabolism
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Monotremes
                                                                                                                                                                            1. Egg-Laying Mammals
                                                                                                                                                                              1. Primitive Features
                                                                                                                                                                              2. Marsupials
                                                                                                                                                                                1. Pouch Development
                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Reproductive Strategy
                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Placentals
                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Placental Development
                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Diverse Adaptations