ANATOMIA COMPARATA ED EVOLUZIONE BIOLOGICA 1

Module Biological Evolution

By the end of the course, students should demonstrate several key competencies. They need to understand zoological classification and its importance in evolutionary studies, be familiar with microevolutionary mechanisms like stochastic and directional processes, and grasp how variability is generated. Additionally, students should know about evolutionary models, sources of variation, extinction mechanisms, and basic phylogenetics principles. Practically, they must be able to critically analyze the concept of 'species', recognize its limitations through examples, interpret methods for reconstructing phylogenetic trees, and connect microevolutionary processes to macroevolution and speciation. developing independent judgment through case study analysis and enhancing scientific communication skills with appropriate terminology are also crucial. Ultimately, students should independently use educational tools, such as concept maps and texts, to enhance their understanding of these topics.

The teaching is organised into:

• Lectures: Supported by the use of concept maps and learning objectives to facilitate the outlining of each individual lesson and the developmental processes. It is possible to request the course to be delivered entirely in English.
• Interactive teaching: Presentation of practical cases and concrete examples. Guided discussion sessions are planned to stimulate critical thinking. Some of the questions discussed in class may form part of the final assessment to encourage progressive preparation. Interactive quizzes will be used at the end of each lesson to test understanding and focus on the key points of the lessons.

No specific prerequisites are required. The course is designed to be accessible even to students without prior in-depth knowledge, as all fundamental concepts will be revisited during the lessons.

The course lasts 21 hours and, according to the study programme, requires mandatory attendance at the lessons (at least 60%).

The Classification of Organisms. 1- Carl Linnaeus and the first system of classification and binomial nomenclature. 2- The taxonomic order of the classification system. 3- Explain why classification is useful and how modern technology has contributed to its improvement. 

The Concept of Species. 1- Analyse the different concepts of species and evaluate their limitations through concrete examples from the real world. 2- Interpret the species from a multidimensional perspective, recognising its dynamic and continuous nature (one-dimensional and multi-dimensional views). 

Population and Variability. 1- Link species and subspecies, illustrating how geographical variation influences differences between populations. 2- The role of DNA in the transmission of traits. 3- Introduce population genetics and recognise what a population is and how genetic variability among individuals is generated. 

Stochastic Evolutionary Mechanisms. 1- Explain the role of mutations as the origin of genetic and evolutionary variability. 2- Recognise the importance of functional, regulatory, and neutral mutations in evolutionary and applied processes. 3- Connect mutations to developmental mechanisms (Evo-Devo). Gene flow, genetic drift, bottleneck effect, founder effect. 

Directional Microevolutionary Mechanisms. 1- Understand Darwin’s role in the theory of natural selection. 2- Identify and describe the main types of natural selection: directional, diversifying, and stabilising, with practical examples. 3- Summarise the process through which natural selection drives evolution and understand the concept of adaptation. 

Coevolution. 1- Understand the concept of coevolution as a reciprocal, simultaneous, and heritable process. 2- Analyse the multiple interactions of diffuse coevolution and the role of arms races in adaptation. 3- Explore the host-parasite system as a model for studying coevolution. 4- Mimesis as a phenotypic coevolutionary outcome. 

Speciation. Reproductive isolation prezygotic and postzygotic with examples. Hybridisation. Dobzhansky/Muller model. Allopatric, sympatric, and parapatric speciation. Drivers of speciation. Ecological speciation. 

Phylogeny. How to read an evolutionary tree. Monophyletic, paraphyletic, and polyphyletic clades. Analogies and homologies. Using derived characters to infer phylogenies. Applying the principle of maximum parsimony to a molecular systematic problem. Fossils, extinction, how to use fossils for phylogenetic analysis in macroevolution. 

Macroevolution. 1- Understand the definition and differences from microevolution. 2- Analyse the main data sources and methods used. 3- Examine the continuity or discontinuity of the evolutionary process. Punctuated equilibrium model, gradualism, and punctuated gradualism. 4- Assess the rates of evolutionary change/speciation or diversification. Extinction rates. Adaptive radiation. Comparative methods for studying the evolution of morphological traits.

• Suggested texts:

Campbell, Reece, et al., Biology: Mechanisms of Evolution and Origins of Diversity, Pearson. 

Ferraguti and Castellacci – EVOLUTION. MODELS AND PROCESSES – Pearson.

• Teaching material: course slides, conceptual maps, and supplementary handouts provided by the lecturer through official channels.  

Assesment

The assessment will take place through a written exam (duration: 60 minutes), consisting of 20 multiple-choice questions aimed at evaluating theoretical knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge to practical cases:

1. Most comprehensive biological concept of species [points 1]
2. Orders the steps involved in natural selection [points 2]
3. Observes the geographical distribution of the subspecies of Phylloscopus trochiloides shown on the map. Which of the following statements describes this distribution? [points 2]