37908 - Cetaceans Physiology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will know the main functional mechanism of the organism; knowledge will be acquired on cell function, nervous system, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, muscular, excretory, and reproductive systems.

The student will be able to understand and describe the functional network relative to different apparatuses and their evolution and adaptation to aquatic life.

Course contents

The integrated course (CI) aims to provide students with an overview of the anatomical, physiological and biological characteristics of large marine vertebrates, with a focus on cetaceans. This knowledge is integrated with health aspects of animals in the wild and in a confined environment, in order to allow students to know that allows a correct approach to large marine vertebrates both in terms of their conservation and zoonotic implications.

At the end of the physiology course, the student will know the main mechanisms of functioning of the cetacean organism; the knowledge will concern both the cellular functions and the functioning of the nervous, endocrine, circulatory, digestive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, excretory, reproductive systems.The student will acquire the ability to understand and describe the functional links between the various systems and how these are they evolved by adapting to aquatic life.

In particular, the following arguments will be deepened:

- Physiology of the cell: mechanisms and main functional features of the eukaryotic cells will be presented to furnish a base for the next lessons;

- Metabolism: features and characteristics of the energetic metabolism with focus on adaptation to aquatic life; thermoregulation

- Physiology of the nervous system: organization and functions of the nervous system: the neuron, synapsis; neurotransmitters. Integrated functions: environment sensitivity, echolocation; sleep. Autonomous nervous system.

- Physiology of the circulatory system: functions and peculiarity relatively to the adaptation to aquatic life and immersion

- Physiology of the respiratory system: functions and peculiarity relatively to the adaptation to aquatic life and immersion;

- Physiology of the excretory system: main function of the emunctory organs: urine formation; adaptation to sea salinity

- Physiology of the endocrine organs: hormones secretion and functions.

- Physiology of reproduction: physiology of the male reproductive tract; physiology of the female reproductive tract; neuro-endocrine control of reproduction; mating; pregnancy and parturition.

- Physiology of the digestive system: food supply; main digestive process and nutrients assimilation

Readings/Bibliography

• Physiology of Domestic Animals. Sjaastadt-Sand-Hove. Scandinavian Veterinary Press second edition (2010).
• Fisiologia degli animali marini. Alessandro Poli, Elena Fabbri. EdiSES s.r.l, Napoli 2018
• Marine mammal physiology: Requisites for Ocean Living Edited by Michael A. Castellini, Jo-Ann Mellish; CRC Press 2016
• Further readings: scientific literature

Teaching methods

Lecturewith interaction between teacher and students with supervised activity of review and self-evaluation; practical activity.

Assessment methods

The evaluation of the student’s knowledge will consist in an oral exam in which the student will be evaluated regarding knowledge and ability to make network between arguments. The exam will be a talk with the teacher in which the student is asked to demonstrate his/her ability to make connections between the different subjects and arguments studied during the course.

The exam will be considered passed if the student will demonstrate to have basic knowledge of cetaceans' physiology and their peculiarity relative to the adaptation to the environment.

The student should anwser two questions regarding the programme and the evaluation grading formulation will be obtained as the sum of three different scoring: language ( max 2 points); knowledge (max 3 points);  ability to understand and create a network of arguments (max 4 points). The obtained score will be normalized in /30.

Teaching tools

Power point slides; laboratory; teaching videos

Office hours

See the website of Diego Bucci