Biology of Southern Appalachian Salamanders: June 1 – June 13

Dr. Ken Kozak, University of Minnesota & Dr. Joe Pechmann, WCU (download syllabus)

The Southern Appalachians are renowned for the diversity of their salamander fauna. This course acquaints students with these salamanders and shows how studies of them have enhanced our understanding of such major evolutionary and ecological topics as the reconstruction of evolutionary histories, species concepts, life history evolution, and community structure. Each topic will include lectures, field and laboratory exercises, and discussions of original research papers. Field trips to significant salamander locations in different southern Appalachian mountain ranges highlight the course.

Prerequisites: Introductory biology, ecology or evolution, or permission of instructor.

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