Zoology 2

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of the course, the student will know and understand:

•       the main functions that allow an animal organism to live and the different structural plans through which these functions are carried out;

•       the reproductive mechanisms and processes underlying animal biodiversity;

•       the main taxa of Protozoa and Metazoa.

Applying knowledge and understanding

On completion of the course, the student will be able to:

•       apply the acquired knowledge to the recognition of the most common animal groups and/or those of economic and health interest;

•       use the specific terminology of the discipline.

The course is worth 9 ECTS credits (CFU) and consists of lectures (Teacher-led teaching – DE) and other activities (Interactive teaching – DI). Teacher-led teaching is aimed at the presentation of the contents by the lecturer; interactive teaching activities may include recurrent assessment, elaboration and in-depth study of the topics covered in lectures, as well as practical and laboratory activities such as the observation of specimens and organisms. Fieldwork (field trips) is also envisaged.

Lectures contribute to the acquisition of the systematic and functional knowledge defined by the expected learning outcomes, while interactive, practical and laboratory activities foster the development of applied skills, in particular the recognition of animal groups.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

Knowledge of cell biology and histology equivalent to that provided in the courses of the first teaching period is indispensable (cultural prerequisites). Basic knowledge of chemistry and physics acquired during pre-university studies is useful. Any formal prerequisites established by the Teaching Regulations of the Degree Programme shall in any case apply.

Attendance is compulsory, as established by the Teaching Regulations of the Degree Programme. Regardless of this, attendance is in any case indispensable in order to take part in the practical exercises, laboratory activities, fieldwork and the optional intermediate test (see the section on learning assessment).

1 – Characteristics of animals. Main groups of living organisms and their relationships. Characteristics of animals. Functions and organisation: metabolism, respiration and gas exchange, feeding, transport, excretion, homeostasis (temperature regulation and osmoregulation), sense organs and nervous system, support and movement. Asexual and sexual reproduction in Protozoa. Sexual reproduction in Metazoa: sexuality and sexual reproduction, amphigony and non-amphigonic reproduction, gonochorism and hermaphroditism. Secondary sexual characters, sexual dimorphism and sex-determination mechanisms. Asexual reproduction in Metazoa. Outline of embryonic and post-embryonic development; life cycles. Models of organisation and symmetry.

2 – Classification, phylogeny and organisation of animals. Animal evolution and diversity. Information on taxonomy, taxonomic categories and the concept of species. Rules of nomenclature. Concept of homology. Phylogeny.

3 – Protozoa. General characteristics; outline of classification; main taxa, with particular attention to Protozoa parasitic in humans.

4 – Metazoa. Evolution of the body plan in the main animal taxa. Origin of multicellularity and main evolutionary pathways. Morphology and diversification into subgroups of the main groups of Metazoa: Porifera. Cnidaria. Ctenophora. Platyhelminthes (with special attention to the main human parasites). Lophophorates. Mollusca. Annelida. Nematoda (with special attention to the main human parasites). Arthropoda: Chelicerata, Crustacea, Myriapoda, Hexapoda. Echinodermata (Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, Echinoidea, Holothuroidea, Crinoidea). Chordata: Tunicata, Cephalochordata and Vertebrata. Main groups of Vertebrata: Cyclostomata, Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves and Mammalia.

Consulting the material provided by the lecturer is of paramount importance, since the lecturer does not necessarily limit themselves to the material of a single textbook.

The texts listed below are not mandatory adoptions: they are provided for reference and consultation, to allow students to study the course topics in greater depth.

Reference texts

1.     Sadava, Hillis, Heller, Hacker — Life: The Science of Biology. Sinauer/Macmillan.  [English]

2.     De Bernardi et al. — Zoologia. Parte generale; Zoologia. Parte sistematica (2nd ed.). Idelson Gnocchi.  [Italian]

3.     Hickman, Keen, Eisenhour, Larson, l'Anson — Integrated Principles of Zoology. McGraw-Hill (International Edition).  [English]

4.     Hickman et al. — Animal Diversity. McGraw-Hill.  [English]

5.     Hickman et al. — Fondamenti di Zoologia. McGraw-Hill.  [Italian]

6.     Casiraghi M., de Eguileor M., Cerrano C., Puce S. — Zoologia. UTET.  [Italian]

7.     Ballarin L. (ed.) — Manuale di Zoologia. Piccin.  [Italian]

8.     La Greca M. — Elementi di Biologia e Zoologia Generale. Ciurca.  [Italian]

9.     La Greca M. — Zoologia degli Invertebrati. UTET.  [Italian]

10.  Brusca R.C. & Brusca G.J. — Invertebrates. Sinauer/Oxford (Italian edition: Invertebrati, Zanichelli).  [English]

11.  Westheide W. & Rieger R. — Zoologia sistematica. Zanichelli.  [Italian]

The oral examination is preceded by a preliminary written test consisting of multiple-choice questions; students who do not answer correctly at least 60% of the questions will not be allowed to continue the examination (passing the written test is a condition for access to the oral examination). The oral examination includes a part dedicated to the recognition of the main animal groups and at least two questions on the topics of the course.

Grading criteria: the highest mark is awarded to the student who demonstrates mastery of the topics, the ability to relate the acquired knowledge, communication skills and command of the disciplinary terminology.

An optional intermediate test may also be envisaged; its procedures will be explained at the beginning of the course. To take part in it, students must have attended at least 70% of the lectures held up to that point.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l'integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) referring teacher within their department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

•       Describe the possible problems and the related general solutions when organisms are placed, respectively, in hypotonic, isotonic and hypertonic solutions.

•       What are the possible conditions of sexuality in animals, and what are their respective advantages and disadvantages?

•       Given a specimen of Arthropod, recognise its taxonomic assignment