Universität Wien

280142 VU Phylogenetic systematics of vertebrates (2025S)

5.00 ECTS (4.00 SWS), SPL 28 - Erdwissenschaften, Meteorologie - Geophysik und
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
Tu 29.04. 09:00-12:00 Felix-Machatschki-Seminarraum Mineralogie 2B284 2.OG UZA II

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 10 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Topics and Lecturers
04.03.2025: JK: Vertebrate origins
11.03.2025: JK: Cyclostomi and Stem Gnathostomata
18.03.2025: JK: Placodermi
25.03.2025: EVS: Chondrichthyes
01.04.2025: EVS: Actionpterygii
08.04.2025: EVS: Actinistia & Dipnomorpha
15.04.2025: Easter Holidays
22.04.2025: Easter Holidays
29.04.2025: EVS: Temnospondyli & Presentations
06.05.2025: EVS: Lepidosauromorpha: Sphenodontia & Squamata
13.05.2025: JK: Parareptilia & Archelosauria 1: Testudinata
20.04.2025: EVS: Archelosauria 2: Stem Archosauromorpha & Crurotarsi
27.05.2025: SeSt: Archelosauria 3: Avemetatarsalia
03.06.2025: JK: Archelosauria 4: Thalattosauria & Presentations
10.06.2025: JK: Archelosauri 5: Ichthyosauromorpha
17.06.2025: JK: Archelosauria 6: Sauropterygomorpha & Presentations
24.06.2025: Final Examination

  • Tuesday 04.03. 09:00 - 12:00 Felix-Machatschki-Seminarraum Mineralogie 2B284 2.OG UZA II
  • Tuesday 11.03. 09:00 - 12:00 Felix-Machatschki-Seminarraum Mineralogie 2B284 2.OG UZA II
  • Tuesday 18.03. 09:00 - 12:00 Felix-Machatschki-Seminarraum Mineralogie 2B284 2.OG UZA II
  • Tuesday 25.03. 09:00 - 12:00 Felix-Machatschki-Seminarraum Mineralogie 2B284 2.OG UZA II
  • Tuesday 01.04. 09:00 - 12:00 Felix-Machatschki-Seminarraum Mineralogie 2B284 2.OG UZA II
  • Tuesday 08.04. 09:00 - 12:00 Felix-Machatschki-Seminarraum Mineralogie 2B284 2.OG UZA II
  • Tuesday 06.05. 09:00 - 12:00 Felix-Machatschki-Seminarraum Mineralogie 2B284 2.OG UZA II
  • Tuesday 13.05. 09:00 - 12:00 Felix-Machatschki-Seminarraum Mineralogie 2B284 2.OG UZA II
  • Tuesday 20.05. 09:00 - 12:00 Felix-Machatschki-Seminarraum Mineralogie 2B284 2.OG UZA II
  • Tuesday 27.05. 09:00 - 12:00 Felix-Machatschki-Seminarraum Mineralogie 2B284 2.OG UZA II
  • Tuesday 03.06. 09:00 - 12:00 Felix-Machatschki-Seminarraum Mineralogie 2B284 2.OG UZA II
  • Tuesday 10.06. 09:00 - 12:00 Felix-Machatschki-Seminarraum Mineralogie 2B284 2.OG UZA II
  • Tuesday 17.06. 09:00 - 12:00 Felix-Machatschki-Seminarraum Mineralogie 2B284 2.OG UZA II
  • Tuesday 24.06. 09:00 - 12:00 Felix-Machatschki-Seminarraum Mineralogie 2B284 2.OG UZA II

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

One of the most philosophical implications of Darwin's Theory of Evolution’ was that all life on this planet can be traced back to one common ancestor, from which all existing groups descended. Consequently, there only is one tree of life with taxa sharing some characteristics in common and differing in others. We can use these various features, such as morphological, behavioural or genetic traits of present-day vertebrates to postulate their evolutionary history. This results from the key assumption that if two taxa share a given characteristic then they inherited the character from a common ancestor somewhere in the past before the two present taxa diverged and followed different evolutionary pathways. Phylogenetic systematics connects the classification of organisms with their evolutionary history and enables the construction of phylogenetic trees based on shared characters. The ultimate goal of phylogenetic systematics is to provide the conceptual framework for any discussions regarding key innovations, comparisons of form or behavior, and the evolution of particular groups and thus to reconstruct a comprhensive tree of life including both extinct and extant groups. This, however, has proved difficult, despite all progress that has been accomplished in the last 50 years.
The goals of this course are to provide an overview of the vertebrate (craniate) animals, by presenting knowledge and insights in the evolutionary relationships between vertebrate groups, the evolutionary transition between major clades, and the diversity and systematics of all major vertebrate lineages in deep time. The students will gain a basic knowledge of the typical morphological traits of vertebrate groups and be able to distinguish plesiomorphic and apomorphic, synapomorphic and homoplastic traits that shape the tree of vertebrates.

Assessment and permitted materials

The course contains pi and npi parts and is completed in the form of a module examination according to the pi rules.
For this, two assessments (50 points each) will be conducted, consisting of a presentation on topics relevant to the course (the topics are assigned at the beginning of the course) as well as the successful completion of a written multiple-choice test.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The course is passed if at least 60% of the points are achieved in both assessments.

Examination topics

Course examination material will be presented during the lectures.

Reading list

Suggested reading:
Prothero, D.R. 2022. Vertebrate Evolution. CRC Press (Taylor Francis Group), 448 pp.
Benton, M.J. 2014. Vertebrate Palaeontology (4th Edition). Wiley-Blackwell, 480 pp.
Romer, A.S. 1950. The Vertebrate Body. Thomas Sturges Parsons London, 656 pp.

Association in the course directory

MA-ERD-3.23

Last modified: Mo 14.04.2025 21:06