ENTOM 3310 - [Insect Diversity and Evolution]

(OPHLS-AG)

Fall. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: ENTOM 2120. Corequisite: ENTOM 3311.

B. N. Danforth.

Insects are the dominant terrestrial organisms on planet earth both in terms of the number of species as well as in biomass. This course will provide a detailed look at insect diversity, phylogeny, natural history, and the insect fossil record. We will examine what is known about insect higher level relationships based on morphology and DNA sequence data and explore how phylogenies can be used to examine the evolution of behavior, life history, ecology, and natural history. Students will come away from the class with a deeper understanding of insect biodiversity, evolution, natural history, and phylogeny.

Outcome 1: develop a comprehensive understanding of the insect orders and families and their evolutionary relationships

Outcome 2: understand a variety of methods used to reconstruct phylogenies from morphological and DNA sequence data

Outcome 3: develop a broad understanding of insect natural history

Outcome 4: read and evaluate the primary literature in insect diversity and evolution

Outcome 5: communicate phylogenetic and evolutionary concepts in written and oral form