Learning objectives
Provide an overview on the basic nature of paleontology and on the its applications to geological sciences. Impart an understanding of physical nature, evolution and interaction of fossil record. Give enough knowledge on stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental distribution of the fossil record. Provide for each phylum of marine invertebrates the information about morphology and physiology enough for classification.
Prerequisites
- - -
Course unit content
General Paleontology: The scientific method. Fields of investigation of Paleontology. Taphonomy, ichnology. Rules of Zoological Nomenclature. Classification, taxonomy and systematics. Evolution (theories, processes, speciation and extinctions). Biostratigraphy, geochronology and chronostratigraphy. Palaeoecology, Palaeobiogeography.
Systematic Paleontology: morphology, classification, stratigraphy and ecological significance of the main phyla of marine invertebrates: Porifera, Archaeocyatha, Cnidaria, Arthropoda (classes Trilobita and Crustacea), Mollusca, Brachiopoda, Bryozoa, Echinodermata, Hemichordata (class Graptolithina) and microfossils (Foraminifera, Calcareous Nannoplancton, Radiolaria, diatoms).
Full programme
- - -
Bibliography
Raffi S., Serpagli E., 1992. Introduzione alla Paleontologia. UTET Ed., Torino.
Ziegler B., 1983. Introduction to paleobiology: general paleontology. Ellis Horwood limited.
Allasinaz A., 1999. Invertebrati fossili. UTET Ed., Torino
McKinney F.K., 1991. Exercises in invertebrate paleontology. Blackwell Scientific Publications.
Boardman R.S., Cheetham A.H., Rowell, A.J.L., 1987. Fossil Invertebrates. Blackwell Scient. Public., Oxford-London-Edimburg.
Clarkson E.N.K., 1998. Invertebrate paleontology and evolution. Allen & Unwin
Iaccarino S., 1995. Elementi di micropaleontologia.
Braisier M.D., 1980. Microfossils.
Teaching methods
Theoric lectures and tutorials
Assessment methods and criteria
written (systematic paleontology) and oral (general paleontology) examination
Other information
- - -
