WIS 6934—Biology of the Crocodylia

Instructors: Drs. F. Wayne King & J. Perran Ross.

Guest lecturers: Drs. Louis Guillette, Phil Hall, and Kent Vliet, and Allan Woodward.

Time and Credit: Offered in fall semester, usually on even-numbered years.
Class meets periods 07-08 (1:55-3:50 PM) — 2 hrs. credit

Click on the images to see full size photos.
Image of Biology of Crocs class

Class syllabus: Students are provided with a list of publications on crocodilian research and management and are responsible for becoming conversant with those topics prior to class. Weekly 2-hour seminar opens with minilecture, followed by student discussion of assigned papers (2-3/week). At least two (2) fieldtrips are required: an all-day trip to St. Augustine Alligator Farm and a nighttime trip to survey alligators on Orange Lake.

Image of Biology of Crocs class
 Biology of Crocs class with airboat
Inspecting small alligator
Tagging small American alligator
Week
Topic

1

 Evolutionary origins of crocodilians and their affinities, anatomy and structure.
2
 Taxonomic problems, e.g., Caiman, Crocodylus novaeguineae, Tomistoma. Lecture: Phil Hall
3
 Current diversity and identification. Field trip to St. Augustine Alligator Farm / CITES Identification Guide: Crocodilians 1995.
4
 Ecology and role in aquatic ecosystems.
5
 Physiology of diving, movement, salt tolerance.
6
 Thermoregulation.
7
 Diet and nutrition.
8
 Midterm exam.
9
 Behavior, vocalization, mating. Lecture: K. Vliet.
10
 Reproduction (including sex determination by temperature of incubation), nesting, maternal care.
11
 Life history, survival, population dynamics.
12
 Field techniques, including standard survey methods. Lecture: A. Woodward. Fieldtrip & nighttime survey of Orange Lake alligators.
13
 Contaminants and hormones. Lecture: L. Guillette.
14
 Conservation: sustainable use, management of nuisance crocs, wild vs. captive production, harvest, and re-introduction.
15
 Conservation: international trade and marketing.
16
 Final exam.
Image of gharial
Image of Black caiman

Students are required to submit a one-page report on the previous week's class discussion.

Class project on crocodilian species: accounts on endangered species (e.g., A. sinensis, C. intermedius), species management, needed research, or other topic.

Final grade is based on:
  • One page reports on weekly discussions = 25%
  • Class project = 25%
  • Mid term exam (ID animals) = 25%
  • Final exam (comprehensive) = 25%

[Back to UF and FLMNH Herpetology Programs] — [FLMNH Herpetology]

Copyright © 1999 Florida Museum of Natural History.