72830 - Marine Zoology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will know the different aspects of the life cycle of marine species that constitute 'case studies', particularly with regard to the fisheries resources and the main methods of analysis for taxa representative of the domains marine (plankton, benthos, nekton) in relation the evolutionary and adaptive traits. The student is also able to design a study concerning certain significant phases of the life cycle, such as reproduction, growth, feeding.

Course contents

1) Animal diversity in the marine domains (benthos, plankton, nekton) in relation to adaptive and evolvedfeatures with regard to the Mediterranean Sea.

2) Benthos: animals that relate to the seabed. The vertical distribution and the major communities: the littoral system (characterized by the presence of autotrophic vegetal), and diversification plans in the Mediterranean littoral (the splash), intertidal (between the tides and the swell), infralittoral, circalittoral. Characteristics of animals in relation to the nature of the substrate, depth, latitude. The most representative taxa. The bio-marine construction: animal builders of barriers.

3) Plankton: animals that float in the water column. General characteristics: shape, buoyancy, colors. Classification: size criteria and linked to the life cycle. Holoplankton: taxa representative. Meroplankton: larvae. The spatial distribution of zooplankton, the species bipolar. The vertical migrations. The feeding. The role of zooplankton in the cycle of matter.

4) Necton: animals that swim actively in the water column. General characteristics. Taxa representative. Adaptations to swimming and adaptive convergence. The invisible barriers.

5) The marine vertebrates partially related to land: adaptations and diversity.

6) Animal life in the great depth: the deep system (characterized by the absence of autotrophic plant) and plans bathyal, abyssal, adale. Adaptations, the shortage of food, sex into the abyss.

7) Animal life in transitional environments: adaptations to the instability of the chemical and physical environment.

Readings/Bibliography

*COGNETTI-SARA'-MAGAZZU'  "BIOLOGIA MARINA"  Ed. Calderini 2008
*CASTRO-HUBER'  "BIOLOGIA MARINA"  Ed. McGraw-Hill 2011
*HICKMAN-KEEN-LARSON-L'ANSON "DIVERSITA' ANIMALE" Ed. McGraw-Hill 2012
*SABELLI "ATLANTE DI DIVERSITA' E MORFOLOGIA DEGLI INVERTEBRATI" Ed. Piccin 2009
*LARINK-WESTHEIDE "COASTAL PLANKTON" Ed. 2006 Verlag Dr. Friedric Pfeil-Munchen

Teaching methods

Lectures with PowerPoint projection and scientific films; exercises with sorting, macroscopic and microscopic observations of marine samples of the water column and the coastal zone of diverse origins; observations of preserved animals.

Assessment methods

Oral examination and determination of macro and microscopic preserved marine animals.

Teaching tools

Computer, videoprojector. Instrumentation for macro and microscopic observations of marine animals.

Office hours

See the website of Maria Vallisneri