37906 - Sea Turtles and Cetaceans Biology

Learning outcomes

The Integrated Course (IC) aims at giving student a general vision on anatomical, physiological and biological characteristics of Large Marine Vertebrates, focusing mainly on Cetaceans. This knowledge will be integrated with ascpects on animal health, both under human care and in the wild. This will allow students to gain knowledge on the right approach to large marine vertebrates, both as regards their conservation and the zoonotic implications of public health.

In the Course of Biology of sea turtles and cetaceans students wil gain knowledge on:

1) biology and ecology of large marine vetebrates;

2) their status and conservation

At the end of the course students will be able to predict general biological and ecological characteristics of a species.

Course contents

Sharks

Main anatomical characteristics of sharks

Biological characteristics of sharks:

• Sistematics and evolution
• Feeding strategies
• Reproduction
• Risks for the species

Sea turtles

Main anatomical characteristics of sea turtles

Biological characteristics of sea turtles:

• Sistematics and evolution
• Feeding strategies
• Reproduction

Main characteristics of each species

Marine mammals

Classification and evolution

General principle on:

• population dynamics
• distribution and habitat use
• sociobiology
• reproduction
• hunting and feeding strategies

Communication

Readings/Bibliography

Mandatory for the exam preparation:

1. Lessons notes

2. Chapters from the book Marine Mammals Evolutionary Biology, 3rd Edition, Annalisa Berta James Sumich Kit Kovacs, which will be uploaded by the professor on Virtuale.

 

Suggested lecture as integration and for personal culture:

1. Mark A. Simmons, 2014 Killing Keiko, Callinectes Press

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

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

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

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

6. Klimley A.P., "The Biology of Sharks and Rays", University of Chicago Press, Chicago and London

7. 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/]

8.Hoelzel A.R. «Marine mammal biology . An evolutionary approach »
9. Shirihai H. «Whales dolphins and other marine mammals of the world»
 

All material necessary for the exam and most of suggested readings will be uploeaded on the virtuale.unibo.it platform of the course

Teaching methods

Front lessons, seminars of experts in italian or English and practicals at the aquatic park.

Although not mandatory, course attendance is strongly recommended as during classes information presented synthetically in the lesson slides are clarified in detail , as well as aspects present in the additional material provided by the teacher and in the chapters of the book indicated as mandatory to study are presented in detailed and explained. The frequency can then certainly facilitate the preparation of the exam.

Assessment methods

The Cetacean Biology exam includes a closed-ended test with multiple or open-ended questions and a description card of a species, which can also be prepared in advance and loaded. A score will be obtained for each section and the final grade will be given by the weighted evaluation of the two parts. The closed response test section "weighs" by 40%, while the description sheet "weighs" by 60%.

CLOSED-ENDED TEST EVALUATION GRID

Multiple-choice questions automatically give the score, while open-ended questions will be evaluated by the teacher with a score of 1 to 5. For each question will be indicated in the text of the question the score that will result for the correct answer (unanswered questions are considered as a wrong question and give a score of 0).

GRID EVALUATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIES

The description sheet of the species will be evaluated on the basis of some principles:

Accuracy in reporting information 10

Correctness of classification.

Use of bibliographic references.

Evidence of a verification of the sources used

Correctness of the use of Italian 3

Synthesis capacity 2

Adherence to the topics presented in the lecture 10

Correctness of the sources used 5

Graphical presentation 5

 

Oral exam as eventual integraton of the mark obtained, if the student wants to.

Final note, if oral exam is given, derives from the mean of the two marks.

It is underscored that although not mandatory and not affecting the final mark, course attendance can certainly facilitate the preparation of the exam.

 

The final mark of the integrated course will be defined by the weighted average of the marks obtained from each module composing the Course.

Teaching tools

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

During classes the Professor might use interactive tool like Polleverywhere and Kahoot.

There will be a large use of immages and video. Students with specific need, which might require different supports or material, are invited to contact directly the Professor in order to prepare specific material.

Office hours

See the website of Annalisa Zaccaroni