66447 - Paleobiogeography

Academic Year 2013/2014

  • Docente: Roberto Barbieri
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: GEO/01
  • Language: Italian
  • Moduli: Roberto Barbieri (Modulo 1) Barbara Cavalazzi (Modulo 2)
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Biodiversity and Evolution (cod. 8419)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will have knowledge on the origin and distribution of biotic provinces, the paleogeographic reconstructions based on biogeography in Precambrian and Phanerozoic, and the relationships between paleogeography and the distribution patterns of living things. Finally, the student will be able to evaluate the impact of the geographic changes on the biotic history.

Course contents

Major factors influencing the distribtion of organisms. Major temporal changes through the Phenerozoic: geological changes, major patterns of biodiversity changes, radiations and extinctions, trends with geographic components, the role of competition. Biogeography during Precambrian (with a course on "Archaean biogeography" held by Dr. Barbara Cavalazzi), Early Paleozoic, Late Paleozoic, Early Mesozoic, Late Mesozoic, Paleogene, Neogene.

Readings/Bibliography

Anthony Hallam, An Outline of Phanerozoic Biogeography, Oxford University Press, 1994

Glen M. Mac Donald, Biogeography. Space, Time and Life. Wiley, 2003 ( chapters 7 and 8)

Lessons in pdf are also available for students

Teaching methods

Traditional lessons (5 credits) and field activities (1 credit)

Assessment methods

Written examination

Teaching tools

Traditional lessons, lessons from the field (at least two full days)

Office hours

See the website of Roberto Barbieri

See the website of Barbara Cavalazzi