Learning objectives
The course will present, from an evolutive standpoint, the tremendous diversity in the various phyla of invertebrates and the functional responses they demonstrate to the needs imposed by the internal and external enviornment. In addition to examining the spectacular variety of forms and functions in invertebrates, an attempt will be made to recognize those elements that unify these animals in their diversity.
Prerequisites
Passing of the Zoology exam
Course unit content
The course concerns three main topics related to the phyla of invertebrates: form and function, development and strategies of life cicle, evolution and phylogenetic relations. The strictly taxonomic approach is coupled with the systemic one.
Full programme
PROTOZOA: structure, reproduction and sexuality, phylogeny and systematics, symbiont origin of protists. Phylum Sarcomastigophora (subphylum Mastigophora: volvocida, dinoflagellata, euglenida, kinetoplastida, trichomonas, hypermastigophora; subphylum Sarcodina: amoebae, arcellinida, foraminifera, heliozoa, radiolaria). Phylum Ciliophora. Phylum Apicomplexa (gregarine, coccids). &nbs p;
MESOZOA: General characteristics.
Origin of the METAZOA: colonial and syncytial theory.
PARAZOA: Phylum Porifera: General characteristics. Classes: Calcispongiae, Demospongiae and Hexactinellida.
METAZOA: Phylum Cnidaria: general characteristics; Classes: Scyphozoa, Cubozoa, Hydrozoa and Anthozoa.
Phylum Ctenophora: General characteristics.
METAZOA Acelomates: Phylum Platyhelminthes: general characteristics; Classes: Turbellaria, Monogenea, Trematoda and Cestoda.
Phylum Nemertina: General characteristics.
METAZOA Pseudocoelomates: general characteristics; Phyla Rotiphera and Nematodes.
METAZOA Coelomates: Phylum Anelida: General characteristics. Classes: Polychaete Oligochaete, Hirudinea.
Phylum Echiuroidea, Sipunculus, Pogonophora.
Phylum Arthropoda: general characteristics; Subphylum Chelicerata, Crostacea and Unirama with main classes.
Phylum Onychophora, Tardigrada and Pentastomida.
Phylum Mollusca: general characteristics; Classes: Caudofoveata, Aplacophora, Polyplacophora, Monoplacophora, Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Scaphopoda and Cephalopoda.
Lophophorata: general characteristics of the Phyla Phoronidea, Ectoprota, Brachiopoda.
Phylum Echinoderma: General characteristics.
Phyla Chaetognatha and Hemichordata.
Bibliography
HICKMAN C.P.Jr., ROBERTS L.S., LARSON A.: Diversità animale. McGraw-Hill, 2004.
BARNES R.S.K., CALOW P., OLIVE P.J.W.: Invertebrati. Una nuova sintesi. Zanichelli, 1990.
MILLER S.A. e HARLEY J.P.: Zoologia. (Parte sistematica). Idelson-Gnocchi, 2005.
RUPPERT E.E., BARNES R.D.: Zoologia. Gli Invertebrati. Piccin, 1997.
BRUSCA R.C., BRUSCA G.J.: Invertebrati. Zanichelli, 1996.
WILLMER P.: Relazioni di parentela tra gli Invertebrati. Zanichelli, 1993.
PEARSE V., PEARSE J., BUCHSBAUM M., BUCHSBAUM R.: Invertebrati viventi. Zanichelli, 1993.
BACCETTI B. et al.: Lineamenti di Zoologia sistematica. Zanichelli, 1994.
BALLETTO E.: Zoologia evolutiva. Zanichelli, 1995.
Teaching methods
Oral lessons
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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