Acquiring an adequate knowledge of the main phases of the history of life and of the development of biodiversity of the past related to geologic phenomena that lead to biotic successions and interaction among organisms. Acquiring basal knowledge of the methods that allowed to formulate hypotheses about adaptation of extinct organisms to changing environments in the past. Acquiring a basal knowledge of the methods of functional morphology and a minimal ability of critical evaluation of the interpretative models about the mode of life of extinct animals.
Course Prerequisites
Basal knowledge of zoology and botaly are advisable but not mandatory
Teaching Methods
Front lessons and direct observation of some specimen with discussion. Slides of the lessons, texts in pdf and open access scientific papers made available to the student in elearning.
Assessment Methods
A final exam cosisting in an exhaustive discussion a topic of the course chosen by the student, and exposed either as simple oral exposition, or power point presentation etc., at student choice (1/3 final grade). Two questions on topics concerning different sections of the program with respect to the one chosen for the presentation (2/3 final grade) aimed to evaluate knowledge of notions and understanding of processes at the bases of events and topics studied in the course. Grading with a single final grade.
Contents
Outline of the history of living beings, selective pressures that led to biotic successions, the interpretative models that have been proposed to explain successions in the biota. Give a geo-environmental framework of the great crisis that caused the great mass extinctions. Mass extinctions as as major causes of macroevolution. How the study of past biological crisis may represent a basis to elaborate interpretative models for the changes induced by geoclimatic phenomena. Understanding the relationships between selective pressures and development of new bauplans in life forms. The role of adaptation induced by environmental factors and by developmental and genetic constraints in vertebrate evolution. Examples about how from the fossil remains and comparison with living organisms it is possible to infer the mode of life and ecological niche of extinct taxa on the basis of functional morphology. Critical evaluation of interpretative models, sometimes conflicting about the mode of life of some groups of extinct vertebrates, by means of analysis and discussion of selected scientific papers.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Students are received by appointment via e-mail at the teacher’s office.
