HON 120-301 Galapagos: Exploring Evolution

Instructors: Drs. Kate Bruce and Mark Galizio Spring 2002

Galizio: SBS 110D, x 3813, galizio@uncwil.edu, http://www.uncwil.edu/people/galizio/galizio.htm

Bruce: Honors Office, x 3374, bruce@uncwil.edu, http://www.uncwil.edu/people/bruce

Welcome to Exploration of the Galapagos- the home of the famous Darwin’s finches, the Galapagos tortoise, marine iguanas, sea lions, and the blue-footed, masked, and red-footed boobies! The 16-passenger Gaby Yacht will be our base for 6 nights and 7 days to travel to the Islands: Santa Cruz, Baltra, San Cristobal, Floreana, Espanola, Plaza, and Genovesa to learn about the different fauna and flora of this magical place.

Before the trip we will meet to discuss evolution basics, the different animals that we will see and the book Beak of the Finch- which detail the Grants’ research on observing natural selection taking place in the ground finch. We will also watch the video What Darwin Never Saw. It gives a good overview of what to expect to see on some of the islands, and follows BOF. Each student will choose to focus on a particular animal to observe in the Galapagos and will keep field notebook and journal on the trip. After we return we will meet to share slides and observations and memories.

Readings:

Jonathan Weiner (1994). The beak of the finch: A story of evolution in our time. New York: Knopf.

David Quammen (1996). The song of the dodo: Island biogeography in an age of extinctions. New York: Scribner. (on reserve)

Participation: Participation is, of course, an expected and vital component of this class! Your contributions before, during and after the trip are integral to making this seminar a great learning adventure. (40%)

Animal Assignment: We will make available a number of field guides that describe the animals that we are likely to encounter and we invite each of you to become as familiar as you like with the animals. In addition, each of you will be responsible for one species (or group of related animals) that we will see in the Galapagos to study in more depth. For example, we would like you to be able to give additional information to the group about your animal’s behavior or some other interesting characteristic. To facilitate discussion when we encounter that species, bring a one-page (minimum) description of what you found to Ecuador. (25%)

Field Notes-Journal Assignment: You will each keep a notebook with field notes with your impressions and observations during the trip to turn in after the trip. (25%)

Reading Reactions: Bring to class at least three written discussion questions about the SOD reading (February 4) and BOF (February 18). The video on February 11 can be included in your BOF questions. You will turn these in. (5% each)

Schedule

January 7	Last payment due, Introductions Overview: Animal Assignments, Reading Assignments
February 4	Evolution and Island Biogeography: Quammen: Song of the Dodo, on reserve
February 11	What Darwin Never Saw video and BOF discussion
February 18	BOF discussion
February 25	Discussion of Itinerary, Expectations, Guides, Ecuador, Galapagos
March 1	Leave from Raleigh
March 10	Return
March 14	David Quammen- Honors Spring Speaker
TBA	Slide Sharing

Choose an animal(s)---

Mammals	Sea lions
	Fur seals	Evan
	Introduced Mammals	Becky
Birds	Frigatebirds
	Masked Boobies	Mike
	Blue-footed Boobies	Mike
	Red-footed Boobies	Mike
	Mockingbirds
	Tree Finches and Ground Finches	Adam
	Cactus Finches	Adam
	Woodpecker Finches
	Warbler Finches	Evie
	Sharp-billed Finches
	Swallow-tail Gulls
	Lava Gulls
	Lava Heron
	Galapagos Hawk	Melissa
	Waved Albatross	Melissa and Evie
	Red-billed Tropicbird
	Galapagos Penguins	Rebecca, James, and Becky and Jackie
	Petrels and Shearwaters
	Flamingos	Becky and Jackie
Reptiles	Marine Turtles	James
	Galapagos Tortoises	Melissa and Evie
	Marine Iguanas	James, Jon and Devon
	Land Iguanas
	Lava Lizards	Vic
Fish	Reef fish	Devon and Vic
	Hammerhead sharks	Jon, Johanna, and Rebecca
Galapagos Insects	various	Johanna and Vic

Packing suggestions:

_______ Passport

_______ Photocopy of passport (picture and number)

_______ International Student Card

_______ Prescription medications/copies of prescriptions

_______ Cash

_______ Traveler’s checks

_______ Journal notebook, pens/pencils

_______ Sunscreen

_______ Snorkel and mask

_______ Wet suit or dive skin

_______ Binoculars

_______ Camera/extra film/batteries

_______ Extra prescription glasses

_______ Sunglasses

_______ Field guide

_______ Daypack

_______ Travel alarm

_______ Water bottle

_______ Personal items (toiletries, etc.)

Clothes suggestions:

_______ Long sleeved shirts

_______ Short sleeved shirts/tee-shirts

_______ Long pants

_______ Shorts (long pants or dresses when we are in Quito)

_______ Hat (with broad brim)—maybe bring two—they tend to fly overboard

_______ Sweatshirt or sweater

_______ Extra pair of shoes

_______ Swimsuit(s)

_______ Teva (water) sandals

_______ Raingear/umbrella