PALEONTOLOGIA CON LABORATORIO

Module MODULO DI PALEONTOLOGIA

Acquisition of the capability of observation, description and identification of the different fossil types. Knowledge of main fossilisation processes leading to the preservation of past life documentation. Knowledge of the evolution process and of the history of life from its first appearance to nowadays. Acquisition of the concept of index fossils and the possibility of using fossils for dating rocks; ability in the identification of some stratigraphically important species. Knowledge of the effectiveness of using fossils for further purposes (mainly in geology) and ability to promote the fruition of fossil heritage.

Teaching will be carried following the plan reported below. In the remote presence of restrictions, necessary changes will be made according to University rules.

1. lectures with PP presentations, diagrams and, possibly, films,

2. laboratories with examination of fossils and fossiliferous rocks in order to learn to observe, describe and recognize the fossils, both isolated and within rocks. During laboratories, we will also learn methods for the collection, processing and presentation of simple data to describe individual taxa and for the documentation and enhancement of the fossil heritage. Formation about how to search online for scientific purposes, mostly if the informatic room will be available for laboratories.

3. seminars by researchers from Italian or foreign Universities, who are specialists of particular topics. Possibly at least one on Cenozoic mammifers.

4. field excursion at the end of the course.

To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, students with disabilities and/or SLDs can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the didactic objectives and specific needs.

It is also possible to contact the referent teacher CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or SLD) of our Department, prof. Giorgio De Guidi.

At the request of students, topics of particular interest (or related topics) may be developed to carry out the final reports for the graduation.

Mandatory.

To achieve attendance, it is necessary to attend at least 70% of the lessons, as required for all disciplines in the teaching rules of the course in Geological Sciences.

Definition of Paleontology: history, articulation and employ. Concept of fossil.

Paleontological systematic: concept of biological and palaeontological species, morphospecies, cronospecies, intraspecific variability. Nomenclature: the species of Linneous and the binomial nomenclature. The International Code. The classification of organisms. Parataxonomy.

Taphonomy: mineralised and unmineralised parts of organisms; death. Biostratinomic processes: necrolisis, bioerosion, dissolution, transport. Burial, incorporation in resins, incrustation. Fossilisation: organic matter; mineralised parts. Types of fossil-bearing and exceptional fossil deposits, oriented distributions of fossils and concentrations: interpretation and use. Lithogenetic relevance of some fossil groups.

Fossils in the field and in the lab: main methods for observation, sampling, analysis, cataloging and exploitation.

Fossil and evolution: information about evolution, microevolution, macroevolution. History of life on Earth.

Fossils and stratigraphy: fossils as a tool for dating rocks and make correlations.

Information on fossil traces: formation, conservation, classification and palaeontological interest.

Information on palaeoecology; the distribution of organisms as a key for palaeoenvironmental, palaeobiogeographic and palaegeographic reconstructions.

Global change: fossils as climatic indicators with examples from the Mediterranean history.

Students can chose between texts that are reported below, taking into consideration that they have to include books dealing with systematics and with general palaeontology: The First text listed is the best for texts in Italian language; Doyle is the best among texts in English language.

AAVV a cura della Società Paleontologica Italiana. Manuale di Paleontologia. Fondamenti. Applicazioni. Idelson Gnocchi, 2020.

Raffi S. e Serpagli E. 1993. Introduzione alla Paleontologia. Utet ed.

Doyle P. 1996. Understanding fossils. An introduction to invertebrate paleontology. Wiley & sons.

Briggs D.E.G. e Crowter P.R. 1990. Palaeobiology: a synthesis. Blackwell Scientific Publications.

Ziegler B. 1983. Introduction to Palaeobiology. General Palaeontology. Donovan ed.

Allasinaz A. 1985. Paleontologia generale. Ecig ed.

Allasinaz A. 1991. Paleontologia generale e sistematica degli invertebrati. ECIG.

Allasinaz A. 1999. Invertebrati fossili. Utet.

Fortey R. 2002. Fossils: the key to the past. The Living Past Series. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington.

Learning will be verified through an oral examination at the end of the course according to the scheduled timetable appropriately advertised on the study course website.

Examination also includes a practical part for the identification of fossils and fossiliferous rocks and the possible solution of simple exercises.

An ongoing test could be also included in agreement with students and finalised to self-evaluation of their preparation. It will be carried out within the period specifically defined by the L34 Study Course for the suspension of teaching, on a date to be agreed with attending students.

In the ongoing test, students will prove to be able to describe and recognize at least one fossil (provided by the teacher) and answer a few questions, some of which are multiple choice and others are short open-ended.

1. How many types of fossils do you know?

2. What are body fossils?

3. What are trace fossils? How are they produced and how are they preserved in the geological record?

4. What is taphonomy? How many and what taphonomic phases can be recognised?

5. What are biostratinomic processes?

6. What is a fossiliferous deposit? how many types of fossiliferous deposits do you know?

7. Stratigraphic distribution of species: examples from different eras.

8. What is macroevolution?

9. What is speciation?

11. What does pre-adaptation consist of?

12. What are mass extinctions? and which ones do you know?

13. Do you know fossils documenting key events in the history of the Mediterranean?

14. How would you organize a fossil exhibition?

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