Unit BYOSISTEMATICS
- Course
- Biology
- Study-unit Code
- GP004069
- Curriculum
- Bioambientale
- Teacher
- Silvana Piersanti
- CFU
- 12
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2025
- Offered
- 2025/26
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa integrata
ANIMAL BYOSISTEMATICS
| Code | GP004081 |
|---|---|
| CFU | 6 |
| Teacher | Silvana Piersanti |
| Teachers |
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| Hours |
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| Learning activities | Caratterizzante |
| Area | Biodiversità e ambiente |
| Academic discipline | BIO/05 |
| Type of study-unit | Obbligatorio (Required) |
| Language of instruction | Italian |
| Contents | Basic concepts of Biosystematic, Phylogenetic and linnean taxonomy, morphological and molecular philogenesis. Diversity of Arthropoda and their phylogeny. Main taxa of Arthropods. |
| Reference texts | Zoologia degli Invertebrati, RuppertE.E., Fox R.S. e Barnes R.D.,2007 Ed. Piccin Lineamenti di Zoologia Sistematica, Baccetti et al.,1996, Ed. Zanichelli Diversità animale, Cleveland Hickman, 2012, Ed. McGraw-Hill Companies Diversità animale, M. Cobolli e V. Ketmaier , 2008, Ed. McGraw-Hill Companies Lineamenti di Entomologia, Penny J. Gullan, Peter S. Cranston, 2006, Ed. Zanichelli Guida agli Insetti d'Europa, 2010, Michael Chinery, Ed. Franco Muzzio |
| Educational objectives | The student must be able to describe and recognize animals belonging to the main taxa of Arthropoda at a high taxonomic level. |
| Prerequisites | Students need good knowledge on Zoology (General Zoology and fundamental Taxonomy), knowledge on the basic principles of evolution. |
| Teaching methods | Lezioni frontali con l'ausilio di materiale vivo e/o preparati. 12 ore di Esercitazione, sul campo o in laboratorio, relative ai principali taxa del Phylum degli Artropodi |
| Other information | The schedule of the lessons and the exams are available on the Department's website: http://www.dcbb.unipg.it The teacher can be contacted by e-mail for any need (exam dates, concepts). Additional teaching materials, such as course slides or scientific publications related to the topics discussed, are made available to all students with free access in the uni-studium web site during the course. |
| Learning verification modality | The learning test for the animal part of the course will be carried out with an oral test lasting about forty minutes (2-4 questions) on topics covered in class and practical activities during the course. The teacher will evaluate the connection of the concepts proposed during the period, asking the student to develop autonomous reasonings demonstrating their complete acquisition and understanding. There are optional ongoing tests during the course, mainly aimed at attending students. For support services for students with disabilities and SLD, visit the link: http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa. |
| Extended program | Basic concepts of Biosystematic, Phylogenetic and linnean taxonomy, morphological and molecular philogenesis, applied to the problems and challenges of the taxonomy of Chordata. Diversity of Arthropoda and their phylogeny. Panarthropoda: Onicofora e Tardigrada Subphylum Chelicerata, Picnogonida and Xiphosura. Aracnida, generalities and main orders (Scorpioni, Uropigi (e Schizomidi), Amblipigi, Opilionidi, Solifugi, Pseudoscorpioni, Palpigradi, Ricinulei e Acari). Aranea: Mesotela, Migalomorpha end Aranomorpha. Subphylum Crustacea. Generalities and main taxa in Crustacea (Remipedi, Cirripedi, Copepodi, Ostracodi, Cefalocaridi, Anostraci, Fillopodi Notostraci and Cladoceri, Malacostraca) Miriapoda (Chilopodi, Sinfili, Diplopodi e Pauropodi). Exapoda, Collemboli, Proturi and Dipluri. Insects, generalities, external and internal morphology. Insect biodiversity, relationship with people and main insect orders and suborders (Atterigoti e Pterigoti, Paleotteri e Neotteri, Tisanuri, Archeognati e Zigentomi, Efemerotteri, Odonati, Blattoidei, Mantoidei, Fasmidi, Ortotteri (Celiferi ed Ensiferi), Grilloblattoidei Isotteri, Dermatteri, Embiotteri, Zoratteri, Plecotteri. Paraneotteri: Psocotteri, Mallofagi, Anopluri,Tisanotteri, Emitteri (Omotteri ed Eterotteri). Olometaboli: Neurotteri (Megalotteri, Rafidioidei e Planipenni), Mecotteri. Olometaboli: Tricotteri, Lepidotteri, Coleotteri (Polifagi ed Adefagi), Imenotteri (Terebranti e Aculeati), Ditteri (Nematoceri e Brachiceri), Strepsitteri) |
| Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile | land and water animal life |
PLANT BYOSISTEMATICS
| Code | GP004080 |
|---|---|
| CFU | 6 |
| Teacher | Paola Angelini |
| Teachers |
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| Hours |
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| Learning activities | Caratterizzante |
| Area | Biodiversità e ambiente |
| Academic discipline | BIO/02 |
| Type of study-unit | Obbligatorio (Required) |
| Language of instruction | Italian |
| Contents | The course aims to provide an in-depth understanding of morphological systematics, with a particular focus on species identification methods. Phylogenetic and molecular analyses will be explored as essential tools for understanding key mechanisms of biological evolution, with emphasis on reproductive and environmental adaptations. |
| Reference texts | Recommended Textbooks: Judd W.S., Campbell C.S., Kellogg E.A., Stevens P.F., Donoghue M.J. (2019). Botanical Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach. Piccin Ed. Gabriella Pasqua, Giovanna Abbate, Cinzia Forni (2019). General Botany and Plant Biodiversity. Piccin/Nuova Libreria. A wide range of texts is made available to students, allowing them to explore and compare the various theories proposed by experts in the field. When topics are closely related to current scientific research, direct reference will be made to articles published in leading international journals. |
| Educational objectives | The course aims to provide students with a solid foundation in plant systematics, with a particular focus on phylogenetic approaches and the integration of morphological and molecular data. Students will acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical skills for identifying major plant evolutionary lineages and understanding the evolutionary mechanisms underlying plant diversity. Special attention will be given to reproductive and environmental adaptations from an evolutionary and comparative perspective. By the end of the course, students will be able to: interpret and use dichotomous keys and phylogenetic tools for the identification of plant species; critically analyze scientific literature in the fields of systematics and evolutionary biology; understand the main theoretical models related to plant evolution and diversification; recognize and describe morphological and functional adaptations in relation to environmental conditions and reproductive strategies. |
| Prerequisites | A solid foundational knowledge of plant biology is required, with particular emphasis on general botany, plant biodiversity, vegetation science, and chorology. |
| Teaching methods | Lectures complemented by practical laboratory activities. |
| Other information | The instructor is available for clarifications, appointment requests, exam date information, and details regarding the course content via her institutional email (paola.angelini@unipg.it). Supplementary teaching materials – such as lecture slides, scientific articles, and other relevant content – will be made available to students on the Uni-Studium platform with open access throughout the duration of the course. |
| Learning verification modality | The final assessment consists of an oral exam designed to evaluate the student’s understanding and critical reworking of the topics covered during the course. For information regarding support services for students with disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), please refer to the following page: www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa |
| Extended program | The course offers an in-depth overview of the theoretical and practical foundations of plant systematics and taxonomy. Topics covered include: Fundamentals of systematics and taxonomy: objectives, historical development of plant taxonomy from its origins to modern phylogenetic approaches. Biological classification: species concepts, taxonomic ranks, botanical nomenclature, intra- and interspecific variability, diagnostic characters and their taxonomic significance. Structure of vascular plants (Cormophytes): morphological and anatomical analysis of vegetative and reproductive organs, with a focus on their function, evolutionary history, and co-evolutionary aspects. Molecular systematics: tools and methodologies for phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data. Elements of evolutionary genetics: the role of chromosome number, hybridization, and reproductive isolation mechanisms. Evolutionary, geographical, and ecological factors: basic concepts in plant paleontology and biogeography (distribution patterns, disjunctions, vicariance, endemism, centers of diversity, alien species). Plant biodiversity conservation: current status, endangered species, and criteria for assessment and conservation strategies. Applied taxonomy: field collection techniques, herbarium preparation, morphological character measurement, use of analytical keys, and principles of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. The flora of Italy: main plant families, theoretical and practical approaches to species identification, phylogenetic interpretation of morphological characters, and introduction to cladistics. |
| Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile | Goal 4 – Quality Education Ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Relevance: The course fosters the development of scientific and critical skills in the fields of biodiversity, systematics, and conservation, contributing to advanced and conscious university-level education. Goal 13 – Climate Action Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Relevance: The study of plant distribution, their responses to environmental stress, and their evolutionary adaptations provides essential tools for monitoring and anticipating the effects of climate change on ecosystems. Goal 15 – Life on Land Protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests sustainably, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and stop biodiversity loss. Relevance: This is the central focus of the course. Teaching taxonomy, plant biodiversity, species conservation, and endemism equips students with the knowledge and skills to actively contribute to the protection of plant heritage. |