Heath Blackmon Evolution and Diversity of Coleoptera Chromosome Evolution Sex Determination...

Heath Blackmon

Evolution and Diversity of ColeopteraChromosome Evolution

Sex Determination Evolution

Speciation / Population Subdivision / Deme Sizes

Office ERB 450

heath.blackmon@mavs.uta.edu

Office Hours in LS129

Monday 12:30-2:00

Wednesday 5:00-6:30

Introductions

Entomology Lab

Syllabus

Collecting & Curation

Dichotomous Keys

Course Objectives● Learn and demonstrate proper

methods of collecting and preserving insects.

● Learn and demonstrate proper use of a dichotomous key to identify specimens.

Supplies● No lab manual is required.

Taxonomic keys and info sheets will be supplied or emailed to you.

● Supplies such as pins and collection boxes will be provided as well.

Attendance● Attendance is mandatory I will

take roll.● If you must miss a lab● E-mail me in advance and you

can then attend the other lab section.

Grading● Lab is worth 200 points 1/3 of

your overall grade in the course● Lab Practical 75 points● Quiz 25 points● Insect Collection 100 points

Academic Integrity● Don't Cheat● Don't buy a collection on Ebay● Cheating● buying a collection

● copying on a quiz or exam

● turning in work that is not your own

● Any of these will result in a zero for the assignment and you will be reported to the department.

Who are these guys and what do they have in common?

Charles Darwin Henry Walter BatesAlfred Russel Wallace

Evolution by Natural Selection5 years on the Beagle

Natural Selection / Biogeography / Warning Coloration4 years in the Amazon-shipwreck8 years in the Malay Archipelago

Mimicry11 years in the Amazon

Charles Darwin Henry Walter BatesAlfred Russel Wallace

Why do we build insect collections?

Why do we build insect collections?

● Document biodiversity● Document changes in

ecosystems● Alpha Taxonomy● Forensics● Fun

Basic Collecting Equipment

Specialized Equipment

● Many collecting methods take advantage of insect behavior.

Curating Equipment● Insect Pins● Forceps● Pinning Block● Point Punch● Mounting / Spreading Board

Labeling Specimens

USA.TX.Tarrant Co. ArlingtonRiver Legacy Park. 32.78°N 97.12°WMalaise net 25 meters N of pondHeath L. Blackmon 21 May 2010

Labeling Specimens

Collection Maintenance

PestsMold

Dichotomous Keys Identify Organisms

Evolutionary Classification vs. Dichotomous Key

Pairs of contrasting descriptions

After each description you are directed to a new couplet or the organism is identified

TodayEach of you will properly pin two large insects and point mount four small insectsLarge Insects•1 Pin the insect•2 Position at correct height•3 arrange the appendagesSmall Insect•1 Prepare points on pins•2 Bend point to match specimen•3 Glue Specimen

Next Week

Non hexapod arthropod orders