How fish transformed to land species is the final topic of the summer seminar series Thursday, Aug. 5, at the University of Wyoming-National Park Service (UW-NPS) Research Center. The center is located at the AMK Ranch in Grand Teton National Park.
Portland State University's Stan Hillman will discuss "Tuna to Toads: How Do You Get to the Top of Your Class" at 6:30 p.m. at the AMK Ranch, north of Leeks Marina. A barbecue will be held at 5:30 p.m. with a $5 per person fee; reservations are not required. For more information, call the UW-NPS Center at (307) 543-2463.
Hillman will discuss how some fish moved from water to land around 300 million years ago and had to transform fins to limbs modified for terrestrial movement. They also had to adapt to a harsh aerial environment with high temperatures.
He will talk about the marvels of how amphibians breathe with their lungs and skin, circulate body fluids through a three chambered heart and auxiliary lymph hearts. They also use their kidneys to accommodate the stresses of leaving a fish's life restricted to water.
The UW-NPS Research Center provides a base for university faculty members and governmental scientists from throughout North America to conduct research in the diverse aquatic and terrestrial environments of Grand Teton National Park and the Greater Yellowstone Area.
