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.
• General principles regulating the distribution, sociality, reproduction of large marine vertebrates.
• Notes of the biology and ecology of some marine mammals species.

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

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

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, 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 examination.

Assessment methods

Written exam with 10 multiple choice questions and the description of a marine mammal, dsea turtle or shark species invented by the student following the concepts acquired during classes, to be done on Moodle platform. 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.

 

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 will using interactive tool like Polleverywhere and Kahoot.

Office hours

See the website of Annalisa Zaccaroni