72825 - Ethnography and Principles of Genetics of Fish Populations

Learning outcomes

Students have to learn the general knowledge in fish identification. A particular attention will be paid to the most important marine and freshwater species ot the Italian Mediterranean Sea.

Course contents

ETHNOGRAPHY: Main issues for the species identification: body shape, type of scales, location of eyes and mouth, fin type and location etc. Morphometrics of the main families. Description of the main features for the Cyclostomes identification. Description of the main features for the fish identification without ventral fin. Description of the main features for the fish identification of species with ventral fin in jugular, thoracic and abdominal position. Description of the main techniques for the Squalomorphes, Squatinomorphes, Galeomorphes, Batoidea and Chimaeriformes identification. ELEMENTS OF GENETICS: Nucleic acids and proteins. Genes, alleles and chromosomes. Mendelian genetics and its exceptions. Basic techniques of molecular genetics. Polymorphisms and methods of detection.

Readings/Bibliography

I pesci dei mari d'Italia:http://www.webalice.it/colapisci/PescItalia/PaginePrincipali/Indice.htm

FISHBASE: http://www.fishbase.org/search.php

FIELD IDENTIFICATION GUIDE TO THE SHARKS ANDRAYS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN AND BLACK SEA (FAO):http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/y5945e/y5945e00.htm

MarineSpeciesIdentification Portal:http://species-identification.org/

Checklist della flora e della fauna dei mari italiani (vol. III) (G. Relini) Ministero dell'ambiente

Teaching methods

Oral presentation concerning the identification of the most important marine and freshwater fish species of the Italian Mediterranean Sea.

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 examination.

Assessment methods

Oral examination (4 or 5 questions). Students have to take 35-to-40-min.

Teaching tools

Video projector, PC, laboratories and visits to fish market.

There will be a large use of immages and video, if different supports or material is required due to special needs, the students are invited to contact directly the Professor in order to prepare specific material.

Office hours

See the website of Oliviero Mordenti