AS/A2 Classification and Genetics Information and guidance for teachers Contents

1. AS/A2 Classification and Genetics Information and guidance for teachers Contents Learning Objectives Lesson plan Plan a route Suggested activities to link with session Things to arrange prior to visit The day of your trip: arriving at the Zoo Your teaching session Tigers face the imminent threat of extinction in the wild

2. Great Grey Owls are one of the largest owls in the world • AS/A2 Classification & Genetics • Learning objectives • After attending this session students will be able to: • ▪ Link Linnaeus with the binomial system of naming species • ▪ Describe the currently accepted classification hierarchy • ▪ Name the five Kingdoms and their features • ▪ Give an example of the use of taxonomy or DNA studies in the work of a Zoo • Lesson Plan • This session is suitable for students taking a biological subject. • Using a PowerPoint presentation, artefacts and, where possible, some live animals this session will include: • The principles and history of taxonomy • Why do we bother to classify anything? What practical uses does it have? More recent molecular techniques to classification (systematics). • The currently accepted classification system • Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species. • The distinguishing features of the five kingdoms. • Animals, plants, prokaryotes, fungi and protoctists. • The classification of bio-artefacts • In the classroom, we will attempt to classify mystery items (such as skulls) as well as, where possible, live animals (normally invertebrates), going right through the hierarchy from Kingdom to Species. • The relevance of classification and genetics to zoos • by considering examples of zoo based research, breeding programmes and parthenogenesis. Back to top

3. Plan a route • Species discussed during session • Normally, we would focus on one vertebrate using a skull, such as the Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) and an invertebrate such as the Madagascan Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa). Also considered are tiger subspecies (Panthera tigris sp.), Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis) and Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis). • Species to visit before session (or after session if at 10.30) • Vetebrates: • Cats (Family – Felidae) • Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica)- by Oakfield house • Tigers (Panthera tigris sp.)- next to lions • Jaguar (Panthera onca) - near Education Centre • Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatussoemmeringii) – new bridge by Twilight Zone • Prosimians • Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) • Monkeys • Buffy-headed Capuchin (Cebus xanthosternos) • Apes • Bornean and Sumatran Orang-utan (Pongo pygmaeus) (Pongo albeii) • Lar Gibbon (Hylobates lar) • Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) • Invertebrates– Tropical Realm • Macleay’s Spectre Stick Insect (Extatosoma tiaratum) • Fruit Beetle (Pachnoda sp.) • Mexican Red-knee Tarantula (Brachypelma smithii) Click here to download a Zoo Map A visitor favourite: ‘Boris’ the chimpanzee Back to top

4. One of our young Sumatran Orang-utans born in 2004 • Suggested activities to link with session • Before visit • Prior learning of key concepts (useful to maximise learning potential of trip but not essential) – Classification hierarchy; the five Kingdoms and their features • During visit • Collect information relating to a particular taxon (e.g carnivores, marsupials and artiodactyls in the mammals; or snakes, lizards and chelonians in the reptiles). What are their common features? How are they different? Different students to look at different taxa. • Look at species that have traditionally been classified incorrectly or are tricky to place – e.g. Red Pandas (Giant Pandas are now classified as true bears – Family Ursidae – where as Red Pandas are not. Giant Pandas’ actual closest relative is the Spectacled Bear – also seen in the Zoo), Elephants (their closest living relatives are actually the Hyraxes and the sea-cows – perhaps not as most people would guess!). • After visit • Design a key to identify the taxon studied. Using other students’ work, a more complete hierarchy will become apparent (use photos taken on camera phones to assist). • Design an imaginary species and classify it according to its features. Back to top

5. Tree frogs are excellent at climbing. Just look at their feet! Things to arrange prior to visit Please check details on confirmation letter, any queries please call 01244 650205. Arrange a pre-visit to the Zoo, contact us 01244 650205 for details. Arrange appropriate number of group leaders and collate contact details. Assign students to a group leader, ensure students and leaders know the running plan for the day, have staff contact details and map of the Zoo (click here). Ensure group leaders have a plan for the day including: student names, time and location of teaching session (e.g. a copy of the confirmation letter) and where to meet, if necessary, after the session as well as a map of the Zoo. • Running plan for the day • Time and location of teaching session • Time and location to meet for teaching session • Time and location to meet for lunch • Time to visit Twilight Zone (all students under 16 must be accompanied through the Twilight Zone) • Time for students to visit the gift shop (the shop at the entrance is open all year round, opening times of the other 2 shops vary throughout the year). All students under 16 should be accompanied in the gift shops. • Time and location to meet when leaving the Zoo Asoka – Chester Zoo’s male Asiatic Lion Back to top

6. Sheba is our oldest Asian Elephant at over 50 years of age! The day of your trip: arriving at the Zoo Please help us to make your entrance to the Zoo as smooth as possible: Allow plenty of time to get to and into the Zoo, it can take over 30 minutes to enter the Zoo and reach the Education Centre, particularly at busy times of year. On arrival the group leader onlyshould approach the main gate with the confirmation letter. Students and other staff should remain on the coach. This provides an ideal opportunity for another member of staff to run through the itinerary for the day with students and helpers, to hand out work sheets, information, maps, talk times etc. Once the paperwork has been completed the group leader can collect the group from the coach to be counted into the Zoo by Gate Staff. There are toilets at the main entrance both inside and outside the Zoo. Rainy day – indoor enclosures The Aquarium, Tropical Realm, Twilight Zone, Spirit of the Jaguar, Islands in Danger and Realm of the Red Ape are all undercover, indoor exhibits. Additionally, MagnificentMacaws, Chimpanzee Island, Giraffe House, Elephants of the Asian Forest, Tsavo Black Rhino Experience, Monkeys , Miniature Monkeys all have undercover viewing. Back to top

7. Your teaching session Sessions are run in 3 classrooms all located in the Education Centre next to the Spirit of the Jaguar exhibit. Please be aware that it can take 30+ minutes to cross the Zoo particularly at busy times of year. On arrival at the Education Centre please wait outside the appropriate room (Cook, Columbus or Cousteau), as stated on your booking confirmation, for an Education Officer to greet you. Please don’t block doorways to education classrooms as there may be classes about to leave. Each teaching session will last approximately 50 minutes. There is plenty of open space for lunches outside the Education Centre. On rainy days there is an indoor picnic area (Arara Picnic Lodge) past the Spirit of the Jaguar exhibit. There are toilets opposite the Spirit of the Jaguar house just past the Education Centre. If you are delayed for any reason and may be late for your teaching session please contact 01244 650205, we may be able to help! If you have found this information useful or think there is something that we could add to help your day run smoothly please let us know at education@chesterzoo.org Back to top