Unit BIODIVERSITY

ANIMAL BIODIVERSITY

Code	55998006
CFU	6
Teacher	Silvana Piersanti
Teachers	Silvana Piersanti
Hours	42 ore - Silvana Piersanti
Sector	BIO/05
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	Animal Diversity. Major Animal Phyla, classification, and living environment.
Reference texts	Hickman, Roberts, Larson, L'Anson Fondamenti di Zoologia, Diversità Animale Ed. McGraw, Hill
Educational objectives	The main knowledge acquired will be: Characteristics of the major animal phyla Living environments of the major animal phyla The main skills (i.e., the ability to apply the acquired knowledge) will be: Understanding the evolution of vital functions in the animal kingdom Being able to attribute an animal model to a phylum based on the characteristics of its body plan Being able to use a light microscope and a stereomicroscope for observing slide preparations and whole samples of invertebrates Being able to use a dichotomous key for the identification of a zoological specimen
Prerequisites	Basic knowledge of biology
Teaching methods	frontal lessons
Other information	frequence not compulsory but adviced
Learning verification modality	The exam is an oral test consisting of an interview lasting about 20 to 30 minutes to ascertain the student's level of knowledge and understanding capability acquired on the different contents indicated in the program. During the oral examination the student's communication skills will be also evaluated.
Extended program	Poriferans: Organizational models, metabolism, choanocytes, spicules, reproduction, gemmules, commercial use, role and use of intermediate metabolites. Cnidarians: Morphological diversification of polyp and medusa forms, nematocysts, metabolism, reproduction, class Anthozoa (Octocorallia, Hexacorallia, stony corals), class Scyphozoa (metagenetic cycles), class Cubozoa, class Hydrozoa, Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) extracted from jellyfish. Platyhelminthes: Metabolism, reproduction, free-living forms (class Turbellaria) and parasitic forms, class Trematoda (Fasciola hepatica), class Cestoda (Taenia). Aschelminthes: Pseudocoelom, eutely, cryptobiosis, nematodes, characteristics, free-living and parasitic forms (Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, filariae, Dracunculus), Caenorhabditis elegans and the selection of model organisms for experimentation, plant-parasitic nematodes, nematodes and biological control. Annelids: The acquisition of a true coelom, polychaetes, oligochaetes, leeches, general characteristics, the ecological role of the earthworm, reproduction in earthworms. Mollusks: General characteristics, shell structure, class Gastropoda, class Bivalvia, class Cephalopoda. Arthropods: General characteristics, class Arachnida, class Crustacea, class Insecta, the great evolutionary success of insects, insects and chemical communication, insect societies, insects and humans, pollinators, harmful insects, biological control, insects commercially exploited by humans. Chordates: Subphylum Urochordata, subphylum Cephalochordata, subphylum Vertebrata: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile	The course deals with topics that allow to acquire the skills necessary to pursue the aims of the 2030 Agenda

PLANT BIODIVERSITY

Code	GP004019
CFU	6
Teacher	Roberto Venanzoni
Teachers	Roberto Venanzoni
Hours	42 ore - Roberto Venanzoni
Sector	BIO/02
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian/english for Erasmus students
Contents	Knowing Plant Diversity: Fundamentals of Systematics and Taxonomy. Nomenclature. Evolution of terrestrial plants: algae and the aquatic environment; the terrestrial environment and the transition from water to land; bryophytes; seedless vascular plants (pteridophytes); gymnosperms: general characteristics, reproduction, and systematics; angiosperms: diversity and an overview of evolution. The main families of the Italian flora: eudicots and monocots. Fungi: general characteristics, modes of reproduction, and systematics. Practical exercises on the use of dichotomous keys for plant identification.
Reference texts	1) Pasqua G., Abbate G., Forni C., 2019. Botanica generale e diversità vegetale. Piccin Nuova Libraria S.p.A. Padova 2) Judd W.S., Campbell C.S., Kellog E.A., Steven P.F., 2007. Botanica sistematica. Un approccio Flogenetico. PICCIN 3) Solomon E.P., Martin C.E., Martin D.W., Berg L.R., 2017. Evoluzione e biodiversità. EdiSES S.r.l.
Educational objectives	The aim of the course is to provide students with the tools necessary for the recognition of the main groups of plant organisms (algae, mosses, lichens, ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms). These skills are intended to support field observation of plants and to foster an understanding of the role that plant species play in the specific and ecosystem biodiversity of a territory. The course also includes theoretical and practical sessions focused on the recognition and identification of the main taxa of systematic, naturalistic, environmental, and economic importance through the use of identification keys (dichotomous keys).
Prerequisites	Prior knowledge of General Botany is recommended.
Teaching methods	The course consists of 42 hours of classroom-based lectures covering the topics outlined in the syllabus, together with practical sessions aimed at developing students’ skills in the use of identification keys for the determination of plant species.
Other information	The lecture timetable and examination schedule are available on the Department’s website. The instructor can be contacted by email for any enquiries (office hours, exam dates, syllabus). Additional teaching materials, such as lecture slides or scientific publications related to the topics covered, are made freely available to students on UniStudium throughout the course.
Learning verification modality	Oral examination and/or written tests, both mid-term and final, as well as the preparation of a herbarium to be presented at the exam. The assessment methods will be communicated at the beginning of the course, also through aa illustrated presentation.
Extended program	Objectives of Systematic Botany. Taxonomic categories. Classification systems. Principles and rules of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. The concept of species as the basic rank: taxonomic species and biological species. Phenotypic and genotypic variability. Intraspecific taxonomic units. The origin of new species (speciation or microevolution). Mechanisms for the formation of new genotypes: mutations, gene recombination, hybridization followed by polyploidy. Selection and isolation. Prokaryotes: Cyanophyta (cyanobacteria), Prochlorophyta, and eubacteria. Endocytobiosis. Thalloid eukaryotes: Rhodophyta (red algae), Pyrrophyta, Bacillariophyta (diatoms), Phaeophyta (brown algae), and Chlorophyta (green algae). Transition from aquatic environments and main adaptations of the sporophytic generation. Subaerial plants: characterization and evolutionary adaptations of Bryophyta, Pteridophyta (isosporous and heterosporous), Progymnospermophyta, and Spermatophyta (Gymnospermae and Angiospermae), with particular attention to the fate of the macrospore in heterosporous plants and the evolution of the corresponding gametophytic generation. Gymnospermae: common and distinctive features of Cycadopsida, Ginkgopsida, Coniferopsida, Taxopsida, and Gnetophyta. Angiospermae: general characteristics. Types of flowers and inflorescences. Pollen, pollination, and fertilization. Fruits and seed dispersal. Use of botanical guides or dichotomous keys, methods for herbarium preparation, and species identification in the following families: Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Corylaceae, Fabaceae, Fagaceae, Lamiaceae, Liliaceae, Oleaceae, Poaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, Salicaceae. Fungi: general structural characteristics, reproduction, and ecology. Interactions between fungi and algae (lichens), and fungi–plant interactions (mycorrhizae). Main phyla: Ascomycota and Basidiomycota.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile	Quality Education Life on Land Climate Action