37906 - Sea Turtles and Cetaceans Biology

Learning outcomes

The course is aimed to give knowledge of: 1) biology and ecology of large marine vetebrates; 2) their status and conservation

Course contents

Sharks, sea turtles, penguins and marine mammals species: distribution and biology.

The species of cetacenas, turtles and elasmobranches occuring in Mediterranean sea; their biology and ecology; the main methods of turtle and cetacean study, management and conservation.

Readings/Bibliography

Lessons notes

References available from the professor

Mark A. Simmons, 2014 Killing Keiko, Callinectes Press

Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Demma M., 1994. Guida dei Mammiferi marini del Mediterraneo. Franco Muzzio Editore, Padova.

Affronte M., Dominici C., Montanari C., 2001. Tartarughe marine. Biologia e conservazione. CTS-Edi.tur, Roma, 156pp.

Lipej L., De Maddalena A., Soldo A. « Sharks of the Adriatic Sea»

Lutz P.L., Musick J.A. «The Biology of sea turtles » Vol. I, II

Wyneken J. « Anatomy of sea turtles » http://courses.science.fau.edu/~jwyneken/sta [http://courses.science.fau.edu/~jwyneken/sta/] / [http://courses.science.fau.edu/~jwyneken/sta/]
Hoelzel A.R. «Marine mammal biology . An evolutionary approach »
Shirihai H. «Whales dolphins and other marine mammals of the world»
Berta A., Sumich J.L., Kovacs K.M. «Marine mammals : evolutionary biology »

Teaching methods

Front lessons and practicals at the aquatic park.

Assessment methods

Written exam with multiple choice and open question on the program. Oral exam as eventual integraton of the note obtained. The exam is passed if at least 18 correct answers are given at the written exam (any answers not given is considered as a wrong answer). Final note, if oral exam is given, derives from the mean of the two marks.

Teaching tools

Frontal lessons, practical work, visit to an aquatic park, seminars.

Office hours

See the website of Annalisa Zaccaroni