Laboratory Exercise on Bivalve Functional Morphology

Steven M. Stanley

University of Hawaii

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Initial Publication Date: June 4, 2009 | Reviewed: June 24, 2014 (see revision history: 2 events)

Summary

This exercise shows students how to infer modes of life of bivalve mollusks from their shell form. In the process, they will learn how to employ deductive reasoning in this sort of activity

Paleoecology | College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16), Graduate/Professional

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Context

Audience

This can be used in either an undergraduate or graduate course in Invertebrate Paleontology or Paleobiology

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

They simply need logic.

How the activity is situated in the course

It is a stand-alone laboratory

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

They will learn how to undertake functional morphologic analyses.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

They will learn to apply deductive reasoning two answer questions.

Other skills goals for this activity

They can work singly or, if desirable, in groups.

Description of the activity/assignment

Students are confronted with a variety of bivalves and questions about the meaning of shell form for each. Some specimens will be accompanied by pictures providing background material. This is an interactive exercise, with the instructor providing assistance with hints and helpful questions. Answers are provided on the powerpoint slides. Instructors will have somewhat different specimens than are employed here and may not be able to duplicate all parts of the exercise.

At the start of the activity, the instructor will explain that studies of functional morphology, leading to reconstruction of life habits, is essential to paleoecological research and to interpretation of the biological significance of evolutionary trends. An example of each is to be provided.

Students will explain the logic by which, with or without the aid of the instructor, they have arrived at their conclusions, .