C.M.FONDAMENTI DI ZOOLOGIA

Learning Objectives

• Invertebrates

  Critical ability to recognize of the major invertebrate groups; their characteristics and understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms that have led to the diversification of the main taxa of invertebrates

• Vertebrates

  Acquisition of critical recognition capabilities of the main vertebrate groups, knowledge of their characteristics, and understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms, in the framework of geological eras/periods, that led to the diversification of the main vertebrate taxa.

Course Structure

• Invertebrates

  Frontal lessons, exercises in the laboratory. In case of online activities, it is possible to apply the necessary modifications to what previously declared, respecting, as far as possible the present syllabus. Several interactive online tests, with class debate, will be held during the course using Kahoot platform, in order to promote self-evaluation of the students and to furnish a study guide of crucial topics.

• Vertebrates

  Lectures, laboratorial activities. As regards the latters, should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it will be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line (as much as possible) with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus. Several interactive online tests, with class debate, will be held during the course using Kahoot platform, in order to promote student self-evaluation of and to provide a study guide of crucial topics.

Detailed Course Content

• Invertebrates

  Diversity of organisms; adaptations; systematic categories; analogy and homology; nods on Protozoa; characteristics (features), origin and classification of the mains phyla of the Invertebrata: , Porifera, Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Platelminta, Nemertea, Nematoda, Foronidea, Bryozoa, Brachiopoda, Mollusca, Annelida, Onycophora, Tardigrada, Arthropoda, Echinodermata.

• Vertebrates

  Summary on deuterostomes. The Hemichordates. The Chordates: systematics and their origin and evolution. The origin and evolution of Vertebrates. The geological ages. Embryology nods. The Agnatha. The first Gnathostomata: Acanthodii and Placodermi. Characteristics and systematic of Chondrichthyes, Actinopterygii and Sarcopterygii. Origin of Tetrapods; environmental pressures and pre-adaptations to life on dry land. Appearance and radiation of amphibians. Current Amphibians. The amniotic egg. Origin, general characteristics, adaptive and systematic radiation of Reptiles, Birds and Mammals.

Textbook Information

• Invertebrates

  1) Dorit R., Walker W.F., Barnes R.D. – Zoologia - Ed. Zanichelli
  2) La Greca M. – Zoologia degli Invertebrati - Ed. UTET seconda edizione
  3) Barnes R.D. –Zoologia degli Invertebrati - Ed. Piccin

• Vertebrates

  1- Hickman C.P., Roberts L.S., Keen S.L., Eisenhour D.J., Larson A., l'Anson A. - ANIMAL DIVERSITY – Ed. Mc Graw-Hill.

  2- Pough H.F., Janis C.M., Heiser J. B.- ZOOLOGY OF VERTEBRATES - Ed. Pearson

  3- Miller S.A., Harley J. P. - ZOOLOGY - Parte sistematica . Ed. Idelson-Gnocchi