MASC 449: Marine Invertebrates & Vertebrates

Taxonomic diversity of major invertebrate groups. Invertebrate life cycle and larval forms. Important migratory species: marine reptiles (turtles); marine birds (population trend and status; bird diversity, bill shape and pursuit patterns, range and country distribution, important bird areas (IBAs), threats and impact, the roles  of Birdlife International and other relevant NGOs in their conservation); representative members of the cartilaginous fish (sharks and rays- main types of shark fisheries and fishing methods; global shark catch and trade trends); marine mammals