Top Three Animals to Dissect - Week 1
edit1) Iguana
I plan to pursue a career in veterinary medicine with a focus in exotic animal medicine - reptiles, specifically. Iguanas are a popular pet - I would no doubt see one as a reptile veterinarian.
I own a bearded dragon and the iguana is the animal available in lab that would be most closely related. I actually have an x-ray of my bearded dragon that I would like to compare to the skeletal structure of the iguana as well!
I have experience handling/working with iguanas - I would respect the animal greatly. I am ridiculously excited about the opportunity to dissect an iguana - I know I would put in a great amount of effort into dissecting appropriately and researching. I am even a member of the Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society - many of these members may offer unique insight into iguana health/behavior types/etc. Furthermore, they could even put me in touch with individuals (specifically, veterinarians) that could offer insight into the body plan of the iguana.
http://www.ohio.edu/people/witmerl/3D_iguana.htm
2) Garter Snake
As a veterinarian, I would likely see snakes as well and would be interested in seeing what the snake looks like on the inside.
I want to know just how simple or complex the garter snake's skeleton is and how their organs compare to those of other reptiles (or even venomous snakes).
I do have some experience with snakes, although not garter snakes. However, it would be helpful to see the general body plan/anatomy of a nonvenomous snake. Garter snakes are not kept as pets as often as other snakes or iguanas.
3) Proteidae
This is my third choice because I think it would be neat to see how Proteidae incorporate lungs and gills into their body plan. I would like to compare their anatomy to the anatomy of non-aquatic salamanders.
Critique an Article and Content Gap - Week 2
editGnathostomata
editArticle Critique
editReferences
- All references lead to active links
Topic Relatedness/Distractions
- Osteotraci as sister taxon - seems out of place
- Background infomation is very dispersed
Neutrality or Bias
- I did not notice bias, however information did seem incomplete
Sources of Information
- More reliable resources should be sought out
Viewpoints - equally or neutrally presented?
- Some viewpoints are not addressed equally
- Other theories for the evolution of the jaw?
Reliable and Verifiable Citations
- Many sources are from the media - would like more accurate/scientific sources
- Educational references/from other universities
- Several old resources - 1996
Additional Information Needed/Needs Updating?
- Separate sections out: structures of the Gnathostomes and background info on their evolution
Group Discussion: Mikayla will be adding to the talk page
- No reproduction information: should be added
- Little information regarding jaw morphology and anatomy (group characteristics)
- More organization: morphology/evolution
- Question mark by Acanthodii but not explained as to why that is ~ some question (paraphyletic): is noted in Wiki already
- Life cycle, if enough information
- Distribution/habitat
- Molecular information, if available (Oxford Journals Molecular Biology and Evolution)
- Chart is missing citations
- Information/alternative explanations for evolution?
- Look more in depth into the 1996 citations
Are there other explanations for the evolution of the jaw? Seems as if some information is incomplete Ayersmm (talk) 18:05, 17 February 2017 (UTC)
Morphology and Characteristics
What characteristics are important in the jaw? What is the morphology and how has it changed over time? Would be useful to include a section focusing on these two ideas in order to better explain the Gnathostomata taxon and how it differs from other taxa.
An article to help get started:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-7580.2012.01505.x/full
Other options?
http://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-642-27769-6_3916-1#page-1
Content Gap Analysis
editContent Gaps
- - Missing support/information about a topic. For example, in an article one topic may be covered in depth but another will not be covered or will be covered minimally.
- - Necessary information or data is not discussed. Information discussed is outdated, current research omitted.
In order to identify a content gap, it is necessary to read the article carefully. Researching the topic online using reputable sources will let you know if any new findings have been discovered or if information has been omitted in the article. If one particular subtopic is discussed in great length versus another subtopic with a few sentences, this may also be a content gap.
Content gaps may arise due to:
- Material becomes outdated/new research is published
- Original publisher/editor did not fully research all aspects of a topic
- Human error
Fixing them would require collaboration and a certain degree of "peer editing." Furthermore, staying up to date on current findings would be important.
Does it matter who writes Wikipedia?
Because Wikipedia is an open forum, it shouldn't matter WHO writes Wikipedia. However, the individual who chooses to write should pledge to remain:
- Unbiased - expressing both sides equally and without persuasive language
- Open and honest regarding current research
- Write in a coherant and relatively understandable way
Bias is sometimes subjective. Personally, I view "bias" as being overtly partial to one side or group in a debate. The individual expressing bias may use persuasive language to support their opinion or degrade/not address the opposite side.
Wikipedia requires that writing be "unbiased." This means that all views must be addressed equally and fairly in an article, with support from verifiable and reliable sources. This is pretty similar to my own definition, minus the inclusion of "reliable sources."
Add to an Article - Week 3
editChosen Article: Homeothermy
editChanges made:
- Added citation regarding definition/physiology of homeothermy
- Added citation regarding enzyme function
These changes were also reported on the talk page of the article.
Finalized Dissection Choices - Week 4
edit1. Iguana
edit- I am very interested in how the skeletal structure compares to that of a bearded dragon *I have an X-ray of my bearded dragon, which I would love to utilize during the dissection* as well as identify where bone abnormalities would be most likely to occur (MBD is a very common disease in reptiles). I would also love to examine the structure of the tail/dewlap and surrounding muscles to see how they are able to move since these structures are so important in communication and defense.
Potential Pages
- Metabolic Bone Disease: Iguanas, like many reptiles, are prone to MBD due to incorrect husbandry. I could add information to this page by giving descriptions of common bones that become deformed and describing the changes that can occur.
- Dewlap: The dewlap is important in communication (body language). It would be interesting to be able to add more information on how the anatomy of the iguana allows for the dewlap and its motion.
- Herbivore: If I chose to edit this page, I could add in information regarding how the iguana is adapted (internally and externally) to a life of herbivory.
2. Garter Snake
edit- I was bitten while fostering a male corn snake; since he didn't let go, I was able to observe how his mouth attached to my hand - it would be cool to open up a garter snake and look at the movement of the jaw more in depth to study how it eats. Plus, research now suggests that garter snakes possess a mild venom (thus, interest in Duvernoy's gland).
Potential Pages
- Duvernoy's gland: I have done some research in biochemistry regarding venom immunity in the oppossom and it would be interesting in observing/exploring the gland responsible for venom production.
- Cranial Kinesis: Snakes demonstrate one of the most interesting jaw movement mechanisms in order to eat their food and looking at this in depth would be neat.
- Jacobson's Organ: I noticed that structural information is not very extensive.
3. Proteidae
edit- I have not really had experience with the mudpuppy; as my third choice, I have chosen it because it possesses lungs, external gills, and limbs - I would like to look at how the lungs are integrated into the body plan with the gills.
Potential Pages
- Proteidae: Although this is not the most creative choice, there is little information regarding the structure and function of this organism on the page.
- Spermatheca: If there is a female Proteidae, I have been curious to see what this structure looks like and its location.
- External Gills: This is a unique feature of the Proteidae. I think that it would be worthwile to examine this structure in greater detail if this organism were assigned to me.
Iguana: Dissection Group Discussion - Week 5
editFinalized discussion will appear on Hartmacl's sandbox.
I have assigned myself to these articles:
Compares the anatomy of the head to the tegu and bearded dragon!!
Dorsal view of Iguana
Bone density in Iguanas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lka9Qszhyds
-
www.seer.ufu.br/index.php/biosciencejournal/article/download/30045/17769
describes the skull bones of the iguana (differences: presence of two vomer
Iguana: Article Drafting - Week 6
editAreas of Improvement: Iguana
- Better organize the section on Anatomy and Physiology
- There is no information on the skeletal system (although the eardrum is mentioned briefly)
- There is no information on the skull, so I could articulate more on that and how it relates to an herbivorous lifestyle
- Dewlap: Bones are present that allow movement to occur!
- In the anole (also in the iguanidae family)
- Focus on bone features that distingish the green iguana from other species http://archeozoo-archeobota.mnhn.fr/IMG/pdf/bochaton_et_al._in_press_iguana.pdf
- Bones/Structures I would like to focus on:
- Skull: I would look at anything that would distinguish the iguana from other species of lizards; plus, I would be able to simultaneously research dewlap bone function. http://archeozoo-archeobota.mnhn.fr/IMG/pdf/bochaton_et_al._in_press_iguana.pdf; http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/40664967.pdf(plus, the other two resources indicated by me previously).
- Dewlap: It is thought that the hyoid bone/skeleton is the mechanism behind dewlap extension in the Anolis equestris, a lizard in the same family as the green iguana. https://eurekamag.com/pdf.php?pdf=007364568 I think that focusing on these aspects of the skeletal system will relate very well to the work of my teammates as well: Courtney would be able to provide input regarding the muscles surrounding the dewlap/its function and Lexie and I could collaborate on how to simultaneously examine the dewlap from different angles (Me skeletal structure, her more of the mechanism/function).
REMEMBER: Make sure that you do your due diligence by searching Wikipedia itself first. you do not want to start generating content or pages that have already been started elsewhere.
General Advice:
- Keep compiling and reading your sources, too, as you prepare to write / edit the body of the article and make sure you are using the appropriate Wikipedia citation format. ≤≥.
For improving an existing article:
- Identify what's missing from the current form of the article or articles you chose. Think back to the skills you learned while critiquing an article. Make notes for improvement in your group or individual sandbox.
Weeks 7-10
editSee Hartmacl's sandbox.
Week 11: Going Live
editTuesday's lab: Begin moving your work to Wikipedia
editAssignment -
Due: 2017-04-21
Group assignment. Will have time in lab to work on this together a bit.
Once you've made improvements to your article based on peer review feedback and your second edit, it's time to move your work to Wikipedia proper - the "mainspace."
Editing an existing article?
- NEVER copy and paste your draft of an article over the entire article. Instead, edit small sections at a time.
- Copy your edits into the article. Make many small edits, saving each time, and leaving an edit summary. Never replace more than one to two sentences without saving!
Creating a new article?
- Read Editing Wikipedia page 13, and follow those steps to move your article from your Sandbox to Mainspace.
- You can also review the Sandboxes and Mainspace online training.
Week 10 Material:
Mikayla Article Outline/Draft
Page: Iguana
Section: Anatomy and Physiology
(NEW) Sub-section: Skull Morphology and Diet
- Diet
Iguanas feed exclusively on vegetation and foliage, making them herbivores. In order to aquire, process, and digest plant matter herbivorous lizards have higher bite forces relative to their size than carnivores or omnivores.
(Including an image of an iguna eating would be helpful to see how they chew/what they eat)
- Skull
Herbivorous lizards have been found to have taller and wider skulls, shorter snouts, and larger bodies relative to carnivores and omnivores. These skull modifications result in a strong bite force and efficient processing of plant matter.
(I will include dissection pictures of our iguana, with appropriate measurements, in order to detail this. I will also look at the skulls of other carnivorous or omnivorous lizards in order to show the differences)
- Teeth
The iguana has teeth adapted to an exclusive herbivorous diet. The teeth are attached to the surface of the jaw (acrodontal) and project upwards. The teeth themselves are small with serrated edges for gripping and shearing food.
- Picture will be included from our own dissection and online, if needed-
Diet/Skull/Teeth:
Also, why do they have higher bite forces? o Please remember Wikipedia’s rule on reporting “results”.
o Please explain acrodontal. Also, it is highly likely that we can get a photo of that. A quick search on Wikimedia produced: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dental_cosmos_(1893)_(14592458339).jpg So please be creative and thorough in your searches. As discussed above for all: explain/hyperlink