59026 - Comparative Anatomy

Learning outcomes

This course provides students with the basic knowledge in vertebrate anatomy and biology from both functional and evolutionary points of view. Students also gain knowledge about fundamental steps in vertebrate development from fertilization to organogenesis. The students will be able to describe the vertebrate structures and relate morphology, funcion and evolution.

Course contents

General introduction: organic apparatus and comparative method, homology and analogy, ontogenesis, systematics, origin of vertebrates and their establishement during Geological Period in the post-Cambrian (Ictiopsids, tetrapods and Amniotes).

Chordates: notes on urochordates and cephalochordates and their evolutive relationships with vertebrates. Types of vertebrates, classification and phylogenetic affinities.

Agnatans and Cyclostomata: classification and main characteristics of different vertebrate class and their progressive evolution: Ostrachoderms and Cyclostomes, Placoderms, Achantodians, Chondrictes, Osteictians (Paleoniscoids and Actinopterigians, Sarcopterygians), Amphibians, Sauropsids (Reptiles and Birds), and Theropsids (Sinapsids, terapsids, and extant Mammals).

Development of cephalochordates as a model to grasp the development of vertebrates.

Development of Anamniotes: ictipsids (chondrictes and Osteictes) and amphibians (canonical or modified as the bases to grasp the embryogenesis in amniotes).

Development of Amniotes: sauropsids (reptiles and birds) in relation to the evolution of development in mammals (monotremes, marsupials and placentals). Viviparity among vertbertaes, placentation and placenta types.

Notes on integument development. Comparative anatomy of the tegument and its derivatives in different vertebrates (dermal and horny scales, feathers, hairs and glands, horns, claws etc). Pigmentation.

Notes on the development of cartilaginous and bone tissues. Histogenesis and anatomy of the skeleton in vertebrates: vertebral column, girdles, limbs and skull.

Notes on the development of the central and pheripheral nervous system. Anatomy and evolution of the nervous apparatus (spinal chord, hyndbrain and cranial nerves, midbrain and cerebellum, mesencephalon, forebrain). Notes on the main nervous pathways connecting sensory organs and the encephalon. Organization of autonomous system and of sensory organs.

Notes on the development of respiratory apparatus. Anatomy of gills and lungs in vertebrates and evolution in terrestrial tetrapods and amniotes. Repiratory mechanisms.

Development of the blood and blood vessels. Anatomy and evolution of the circulatory system (hearth, arteries and veins). Fetal circulation in mammalians. Notes on the lymphatic system.

Development of the lymphatic system.

Development of the urinary system. Anatomy of the pronefrons, mesonephrons and metaephrons including notes on the excretion process. Relationships between urinary and genital system. Types of gonads in vertebrates (parenchymatic, vescicular or tubular). Development of gonads and their ducts in different vertebrates (anamniotes and amniotes). Formation of the terminal tract of uro-genital ducts (cloaca and urinal sinus) in various vertebrates.

Notes on the development and adaptation of the alimentary system. Anatomy of the digestive system (mouth and glands, teeth, esophagus, stomac, intestine and digestive glands).

Lab training

Laboratory analysis of microscopical and macroscopical preparations of the different anatomical systems (integumentary, scheletrical, nerv system and sensory organs, respiratory, circulatory, uro-genital, and digestive).

Study books:

GC Kent: Anatomia comparata dei vertebrati, Piccin Ed, Padova

Zavanella T, Cardani C. Anatomia dei vertebrati. Antonio Delfino editore, Roma

Franquinet e Foucrier. Embriologia descrittiva, Edises

G. Minelli: Elementi di Morfologia dei vertebrati, Patron Ed, Bologna

G. Minelli: Embriologia dei vertebrati, Patron ed, Bologna

Teaching methods

Lectures

Assessment methods

The examination consists of an oral test.

Office hours

See the website of Valeria Franceschini

See the website of Maurizio Lazzari