Marine Vertebrates

Learn about Marine Vertebrate Animals.

• Their diversity
• Distinguishing characteristics
• Morphology, behaviour and more.

Lesson Structure

There are 5 lessons in this course:

1. CLASSIFICATION OF ORGANISMS
   • Introduction
   • Taxonomy: Grouping Biological Organisms
   • Classification
   • Phylum Chordata
   • Non Chordate Animals
2. FISHES
   • Infraphylum Agnatha
   • Class Cephalaspidomorphi (Lampreys)
   • Class Myxini (Hagfishes)
   • Infraphylum Gnathostomata
   • Class Elasmobranchii
   • Superorder Batoidea - Rays and Skates
   • The Whale Shark (Rhincodon Typus)
   • Class Holocephali – Chimaeras
   • Osteichthyes (bony fishes)
   • Biological characteristics of bony fish
   • Superclass Sarcopterygii
   • Superclass Actinopterygii – ray-finned fish
   • Class Chondrostei
   • Class Holostei
   • Class Teleostei
   • Examples of families of bony fish
   • ‘Bony’ Fish anatomy and physiology
   • Lesson 2 additional reading
3. SEA BIRDS
   • GULLS – ORDER CHARADRIIFORMES
   • Terns - Family Sternidae
   • Auks – Family Alicidae
   • Puffins (Family Alicadae)
   • Albatrosses – Family Diomedeidae
   • Petrels – Family Procellariidae
   • Pelicans – Family Pelecanidae
   • Gannets – Family Suidae
   • Cormorants – Family Phalacrocoracidae
   • Boobies – Family Sulidae
   • Frigate birds – Family Fregatidae
   • Tropic birds – Family Phaethontidae
   • Penguins
4. MARINE REPTILES
   • Sea Turtles (Superfamily Cheloniodea)
   • Sea Snakes (Order Squamata)
   • Crocodilians (Order Crocodilia)
   • Marine Iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus)
   • Classification of Sea Turtles
   • Family Dermochelyidae
   • Lesson 4 additional reading
   • Family Cheloniidae
   • Crocodiles
   • Differences between Gharials, Alligators, and Crocodiles
5. MARINE MAMMALS
   • Order Cetacea - Whales
   • Order Sirenia
   • Order Carnivora
   • Pinnipeds
   • Family Mustelidae
   • Family Ursidae
   • Lesson 5 additional reading
   • Classification (Taxonomy) of Cetaceans
   • Suborder Mysticeti (Baleen Whales)
   • Suborder Odontoceti (Toothed Cetaceans)
   • Dolphins
   • Whales
   • Final Assessment

Who might benefit from this course?

• Anyone with a passion for the sea - amateur or professional
• Ecotourism professionals - eg. marine tour guides
• Environmentalists, conservationists, marine park managers
• Divers, snorkelers
• Fishermen, boat operators, seamen