A Text Book of Chordates

Description

1. Introduction: General Characters of Chordata, Classification of Chordata, Synoptic classification of chordata, Vertebrata
2. Protochordata: Definition, General Characters, Classification of Protochordata, Detailed classification, Museum Specimens, Detailed Type study: Ascidian (Herdmania), Branchiostoma (Amphioxus), Hemichordata, Museum Specimens, Detailed Type Study: Balanoglossus, Affinities of Urochordata, Affinities of Amphioxus, Affinities of  Prochordata, Affinities of Hemichordates, ” Balanoglossus is an Invertebrate and not a Chordate” – Justify., Origin of Chordates
3. Agnatha: Definition, Classification, Museum Specimens, Detailed  Type Study, Petromyzon, Myxine, Jamoytius, Ostracoderm, Origin of Vertebrates
4. Pisces : Definition, General Characters, Classification in Brief, Detailed Classification, Museum Specimens, Detailed  Type Study : Shark, Labeo, Lates, Channa, Placoderms, Holocephali, Dipnoi, Origin of Fishes, Fins of Fishes, Origin of Paired fins, Scales of Fishes, Air Bladder in fishes, Accessory Respiratory Organs in Fishes, Economic Importance of Fishes, Deep Sea Fishes, Migration of Fishes, Origin of Paired Appendages
5. Amphibia : Definition, General Characters, Classification of Amphibia, Detailed Classification, Museum Specimens, Detailed  Type Study : Frog, Bufo, Apoda (Gymnophiona), Origin of Amphibia, Parental Care in Amphibia, Neoteny in Amphibia
6. Reptilia : Definition, General Characters, Classification of Reptilia, Detailed Classification, Museum Specimens, Detailed  Type Study : Calotes, Uromastix, Varanus, Rhynchocephalia, Origin of Reptilia, Evolution of Reptilia, Dinosaurs, Golden Age of Reptiles, Temporal fossae and Arcades, Temporal fossae and Arcades, Poisonous Snakes, Poisonous snakes of South India, Colonization of Reptiles on land
7. Aves: Definition, General Characters, Classification in Brief, Detailed Classification, Museum Specimens, Detailed Type Study Pigeon,  Ratitae , Origin of Birds, Origin of Flight in Birds, Birds are Glorified Reptiles, Flight adaptations, Migration of Birds, Palate in Birds, Beaks in Birds, Feet in Birds
8. Mammalia: Definition, General Characters, Classification in Brief, Museum Specimens, Detailed Type Study Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Prototheria, Metatheria (Marsupialia), Origin of Mammals, Dentition in Mammals, Stomach in Mammals, Aquatic Mammals, Placenta in mammals, Migration of Mammals
9. Comparative Anatomy: Integumentary Derivatives, Comparison of Brain, Comparison of Fore Limbs, Comparison of Hind Limbs, Comparison of Pectoral Girdles, Comparison of Pelvic Girdles, Evolution of Heart, Evolution of Kidney and their Ducts,Evolution of Brain, Evolution of Aortic Arches, Neoteny and Evolution
10. General Topics: Endocrine Glands, Jaw suspension, Fate of Visceral Arches, Flying Vertebrates, Vertebral Column, Chordate Phylogeny, Geological Time Scale
11. Practicals
12. University Questions
13. Glossary
14. Index