791-221 Australian Fauna

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Biology II.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject is designed to enable the student to:

• understand the diversity, evolution, biogeography, origins and classification of Australian vertebrate and invertebrate fauna;

• understand the general, behavioural and reproductive biology of the Australian fauna.

• identify the reptilia, amphibia and aves at least to the family level; and

• identify the mammalia and insecta at least to the order level.

The content includes origins of the Australian fauna; animal diversity; biogeography of major faunal groups; nomenclature and taxonomy of Australian fauna; reproductive and behavioural biology of major groups; and identification of insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals.

Assessment

Written assignment of 2000 words (20% each); 2-hour identification practical test (25%); 2-hour examination (40%); presentation (10%).