Using copepods to develop a didactic strategy for teaching species concepts in the classroom

Abstract While there is little doubt that the species lowest independent evolutionary unit, understanding many different concepts a difficult task, even for university students. In present study, we propose didactic sequence involves fieldwork, laboratory analyses, experimental cultures, and computational work in an integrated strategy comprehension of phenetic, ecological, biological, phylogenetic concepts. This activity based on observation morphological, characteristics samples two copepod crustaceans, Acartia tonsa Dana, 1849 lilljeborgi Giesbrecht, 1889 (Copepoda, Calanoida). These were focus simple practical contributes to effective four mentioned above, using straightforward methods can be standardized easily classroom. The activities developed presented here not only made classes more interesting motivational, but also contributed assimilation content, as well consolidation knowledge class. It important note these at educational levels (i.e., undergraduate graduate students), applied other types organism (e.g., amphibians, insects or copepods), long their are adequate systematic exploration included here.