Discuss how the vertebrate skeletal and muscular systems

Abia Polytechnic University Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Discussion

1. Discuss how the vertebrate skeletal and muscular systems are coupled in the evolution of form and function in vertebrates.

2. Discuss how the skeletal system is used to establish the monophyly of the Tetrapoda (That is, the Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, and Mammalia are a monophyletic group of vertebrates.).

3. Discuss the major transformations in either the skeletal or muscular systems of the vertebrates from the agnathan fishes to mammals. Begin your discussion by presenting a synthesis of the basic functional anatomy of the vertebrate skeletal or muscular system. Then select a section (Example: Axial Skeleton) of the vertebrate skeletal or muscular system and discuss how this basic structure had changed during the evolution of vertebrates from agnathans to mammals. For example, what are the major changes in the skeletal system, as vertebrates diverged or evolved from agnathan fishes to mammals, i.e., from Agnatha to Chondrichthyes, to Osteichthyes, to Amphibia, to Reptilia, to Aves, and finally to Mammalia. Give some biological or ecological reasons why these transformations may have occurred during the evolution of vertebrates.