Answer Happy

Vertebrate Phylogeny: overarching themes Be able to identify novel morphological innovations that distinguish the major vertebrate groups. Be able to construct an accurate, simple branch diagram that includes the major vertebrate groups and key diagnostic characters at each node and within each group. Example of a node- gnathostomes; characters-jaws, paired appendages, tetrameric hemoglobin, etc. Within group characters-e.g., Chondrichthyes; characters-placoid scales, cartilaginous endoskeleton. Sauropsid vs synapsid: distinguishing morphological differences (take an organ system approach-example: Compare and contrast the functional and structural patterns of skull morphology, jaw musculature, dentition, secondary palate, and muscle attachment sites between a typical sauropsid/diapsid and advanced synapsid amniote) How can embryology help decipher patterns of vertebrate phylogeny: use specific examples from various organ systems to support your answer. Think of recaptitulation in ontogeny of the vertebrate venous system or aortic arches.